From 1B

But there is a second reason why it is wise to study and understand Religion: religious belief has been the inspiration, not only of great violence and hatred, but also of almost all of mankind’s greatest achievements, in art, poetry, music, architecture, spiritual exploration and discovery. The creative power of Religion is enormous in all parts of the world. And this is still true. To take just one example, we have just lived through one of the one of the greatest ages of Christian poetry that has occurred in the world history of Christianity. Of course, we are so close to it that it is hard to see it, but it is in fact the case that the last hundred years have seen an almost miraculous flowering of Christian vision, and also of Christians grappling with the reality of evil. So Religion is not disappearing or fading away. It is changing its forms of appearance and expression, but it remains a vital and creative force in many lives. Indeed, it is still the case that the majority of people alive on the planet today are committed to some form of religious belief.

And that leads to a third reason why it is so important to study and understand Religion. Religions are concerned with the question of eternal life, with what may ultimately and in the end—and for ever—be the case. If it is the case that your life can find its rest in God and can abide in Him/Her for ever, it is obvious that the issues which religions set before us are a great deal more important than a choice between cornflakes and porridge for breakfast. Of course, it may be that what religions claim is false—it may be that there is no reality correctly described as God in whom we can find our eternal life. But we can scarcely know whether that is so before we make some exploration ourselves. (From the Foreword by John Bowker to Roger Whiting, 1986)

SPELLING ANSWERS

Religions of Man by

Below are 15 words that are frequently misspelt. Ask someone to test you and see if you can spell all of them correctly. Check any new words in your dictionary. Write out any words that you couldn’t spell, and make sure they will never catch you again!

Eligible, embarrass, encouragement, exaggerate, excessive, exhilarating, existence, extension, fascinate, fierce, filthy, maintenance, foreign, generosity, grievous.