REL 179 IRRELIGIOUS AND SECULAR TRADITIONS

This course investigates traditions that—in many cases—would not identify themselves as “religion,” or which attempt to reject “religion” as a concept. Examples of such traditions include New Atheism, Satanism, the veneration of social and political systems, Scientology, and even some religions identified as “joke” religions, such as Discordianism or Pastafarianism. Students in this course will evaluate where the boundaries lie between “religion” and “not religion,” as well as consider how irreligious and secular traditions can offer meaning and value to their members.