Assignment #4

Assignment #4
By: Ambra Bourne • February 14, 2007

Post 1: “Reaction piece to the expert lecture”

Professor Mark Juergensmeyer – Terror in the Mind Of God

The film Terror in the Mind of God is a comparative work on religious terrorists and explores the use of violence by religious groups. The Terror in the Mind of God looks at common themes and patterns in the cultures of violence. Juergensmeyer asks the questions about the reasoning of the United States in Iraq and why do religious believers commit such violent acts in the name of faith and religion, take the lives of innocent people, and terrorize people.

Juergensmeyer described suicide bombers as a temporary struggle with God, in which the good will prevail, and how the attack on the World Trade Center was not at all successful because it did not fall down like the terrorist wanted it to.

Juergensmeyer states that that religion is the cure for religious violence, we must recognize that we are not God and that we do not know everything and need to be tolerant of others and open to public things. He concludes with suggestions for the future of religious violence that are certain to be controversial, arguing that "the cure for religious violence may ultimately lie in a renewed appreciation for religion itself" and in acknowledgement of religion in public life. The same religion that causes grief is the same religion that causes destruction.

Post 2: “Substantial questions or elaborations or rebuttals to the required reading”

AN INTRODUCTION TO CRITICAL THINKING By Steven D. Schafersman

The Reading Edgar Cayce and the Skeptic talks about Edgar Cayce and weather or not his alleged psychic abilities were genuine. Cayce is known to be a great psychic by many of his followers, they claim that he has been able to draw into higher awareness.

I feel that he himself, as well as his follower may feel that there were psychic abilities present in Cayce’s being. As far as actually in fact being real, I have my doubts. To me, I feel that there must be proof beyond any type of doubt to prove something as unparalleled as psychic abilities. There is too much room for doubts in the review of Cayce’s psychic abilities.

The reading CULT-BUSTER by DAVID LANE Talks about the debate and deputes amongst David Lane and the religious group Eckists. Lane feels that the cult organizations teach a type of brainwashing method. He states, “Instead of asking people to be really skeptical of things it's asking them to believe almost anything." This type of teaching causes the member to follow on blind faith allowing the group leader the ability to mold the group into whatever they see fit for the organization, eventually it is to the point where a member no longer questions anything the leader may so or ask to have done, no matter how outrageous the act may be.



Post 3: “Discuss issues or ideas raised in the critical thinking films”

SAI BABA ,Thakar Singh and the Downfalls of Gurudom & Beyond Belief Film Sessions 6 & 7

Sai Baba is seen standing on a stage. He has an object in his left hand that is said to have been transferred from that hand to his right hand. He then makes a circular motion and produces a necklace from his right hand. From what I see there is no evidence of any kind of spectacular event taking place. I simply see him transform papers from one hand to another then showing a necklace that was balled in his right hand.I feel that he put his two hands together under his papers and then placed the necklace into his right hand where he held it there inconspicuously until he revealed it at the end of the film.

The video SAI BABA shows a recording that focuses on a hand movement of Sai Baba which is open to different interpretations. I personally do not see any for of magic here weather the poor picture quality or lack of faith, but I am open to the possibility. Having evidence of this tape alone I feel that one cannot come to a conclusion as to if this is a valid magic trick or not.

Thakar Singh believed in blindfolding children in a greater attempt at brainwashing. A child’s mind is an easier objective to accomplish this drastic goal of brainwashing. This brainwashing of children leads to blind following of a religious belief, cult practices, or anything the leader may request of a follower. Subjects that are easiest to influence are usually young, trusting, gullible, and non-critical people from protective backgrounds or people who may be particularly vulnerable because of some recent unsettled transition.

Those who are blind followers tend to lack critical thinking skills. Individuals who have a high level of critical thinking skills are those who easily articulate, balance information, as well as those who are self-centered, street-wise, and highly critical. Some religious followers that lack critical thinking skills are more vulnerable to the mind control tactics the religious group sets to have followed. Mind control is used to deceivingly influence members. Nothing is easier to accomplish this goal than to start with children.