Thinking Through Religions 4

Questions:

After completing the readings and watching the video(s) please complete the following questions. Answers should be written in Microsoft Word version 97-2003 or lower. These questions are due by Saturday of Week 4, at 11:59 pm (CST).
1. On the corner of Fourth and Walnut in Louisville, Kentucky, Thomas Merton experienced an insight that he had been living under an illusion. Discuss the illusion and the new view of reality which replaced it.
2. Compare and contrast the life saving actions of Maximillion Kolbe and Lenny Skutnik. What do their actions say about human nature?
3. What were three or four things the Amish did in the documentary on Forgiveness after the tragic killing of their children? According to the documentary, what positive effects can be imitated by such acts of forgiveness? What do you think is the biggest challenge in forgiving a person who has wronged you?
4. Offer an understanding of Thomas Merton’s teaching that a selfish life, contradicts the very nature of man. (Thomas Merton; essential writings).
5. Were the Kamikaze pilots of World War II altruistic? Why or why not?
Then please use the remaining pages (pages 6 and 7) to answer the discussion questions which should be a paragraph long each. The discussion questions are as following:

1. Do you think that the act of forgiving those who have offended you is a sign of weakness or strength? In brief, what is a story of forgiveness which you have heard? Or, what is a story of a situation where the lack of forgiveness has fostered separation within and among families &/or friends?
2. Do you think there is such a thing as an act which is purely good or totally bad? Explain€¦
3. How do you understand the wisdom saying or teaching, €¦it is better to give rather than to receive?
4. Altruism is concept common to almost every known religion. Why?
5. Does what the Kamikaze pilots did make sense to you? Were they being altruistic? Why or why not?
P.S. Kindly read as follows from Professor:

General:??Don’t use direct quotes. I want to see your writing, not someone? else’s. ??Use lots of examples. Be specific. Don’t quote hearsay facts.?? Avoid response writing. I this and I that.?? 100 word MINIMUM in each question. Using more words is almost ?always better.?? MS WORD?? Times New Roman??. Absolutely no excuse for misspellings. ??READ the writing guide attached to the syllabus??. Don’t repeat the question. Just include the number in your? paper.??
Be specific. Deep responses and not just a random quote from the ?text.