Religious

PLEASE NOTE:
CLASSES NOT MEETING THE MINIMUM # OF STUDENTS 48 HOURS PRIOR TO START DATE WILL BE CANCELLED

Ancient Mysteries of the Bible (2 sessions) NEW
Who were the Philistines? and were there "too many of them" running around the Biblical Near East during the era of the Patriarchs and Matriarchs? How could Moses have had two fathers-in-law if he was only married once, never divorced and never widowed? Did the walls of famed Jericho really come crashing down with the onslaught of Joshua's priestly trumpeteers? Did the zealots of Masada in the end "triumph" over Rome's military might; was it fate or folly?
These are some of the "mysteries" of the Biblical World that are explored in this two-part series. The literary and archaeological record of the ancient Near East helps us to further understand some of the enigmas that have confronted us for millennia, as we re-discover aspects of the biblical world; via text, powerpoint presentation and the use of video.

Wednesday & Thursday: December 29 & 30, 1:00p-2:30p
Location: Jacaranda Trace
Cost: $29
Instructor: Steven Derfler

Buddhism, An Introduction (6 sessions) NEW
The Buddhist tradition has played both a major influential role as well as an adaptive role in mose of East Asian and Southeast Asian societies, let alone Tibet. We will exhamine the major concepts and beliefs of Buddhism present in its three major traditions: Theravada (in Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia), Tibetan and Mahayana (in China, Korea, Japan and Vietnam). Some extra focus is given on Zen buddhism in Japanese culture (e.g., Tea Ceremony) and history (e.g., Samurai culture).

Wednesdays: September 29 - November 3, 10:30a-12:00p
Location: Jacaranda Trace
Cost: $65
Instructor: Eric Meissner

King Tut Revisited (1 session) NEW
Imagine assuming the throne of your country at age 9.... inheriting a kingdom in the midst of political and religious turmoil.... and all you want to do is "play in your sandbox". Imagine the pressure by adults around you to change your religion and sire an heir. Then imagine the circumstances surrounding a mysterious death at 18, with your High Priest inheriting a vacant throne, and your tomb "lost" to memory within decades of your death. Flash forward 3300 years and its incredible rediscovery with "modern 1922 science" revealing via x-ray "troublesome evidence" of foul play in a death. Then flash forward again to 21st century technology involving CT scans and DNA................. and a mystery finally put to bed..........

Tuesday: December 28, 7:30p-9:00p
Location: Bay Village
Cost: $15
Instructor: Steven Derfler

Taoism, An Introduction (6 sessions) NEW
Taoism has shaped Chinese culture and society for thousands of years and its influence is also evident in the cultural history of Japan, Korea, and Vietnam. Taoism is divided into three interrelated tradidtions: philosophy (e.g., Yin Yang I Ching and Feng Shui), religion and health (e.g., Tai Chi'i Chuan and Qigong). These three traditions are explained with relevant detail.

Tuesdays: September 28 - November 9, 10:30a-12:00p
No class October 19
Location: The Glenridge
Cost: $65
Instructor: Eric Meissner

Major Religions of Asia (6 sessions) NEW
Learn the basic beliefs, practices, and history of Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, Shinto and Islam. This course gives the student a good background of the central religious traditions of Asia and how they have shaped Asian cultures and history.

Mondays: October 18 - November 22, 10:30a-12:00p
Location: Bay Village
Cost: $65
Instructor: Eric Meissner