ASSIGNMENT
Write on a topic related to our readings and discussions of God, suffering, and evil. Just about any topic mentioned in class, or any germane question or topic regarding suffering and responses to it, would be acceptable to pursue. For example, in the past students have written on the court case of Erik Erikson’s model of psychosocial development, accounts of common ‘cognitive distortions’, the Gottmans’ account of key indicators of relational health, etc.
Compare and contrast readings as regards suffering, its possible origins and nature, and potential responses to it, or they may complement one reading with another. One could, for instance, compare and contrast how Thich Nhat Hanh and the book of Job (as interpreted by Gutiérrez) describe and deal with suffering: what are their respective focuses, questions, themes, and responses? Or, one could imagine a conversation between Judith Herman and Thich Nhat Hanh on suffering, its arising, and its impact upon human beings.
Likewise, one could compare Baldwin’s struggles with suffering and religion with Job’s, or identify similarities and dissimilarities between Herman’s account of trauma and disconnection with themes, questions, and situations from the other readings. One could also deal with the arguments for atheism presented in the readings, and the responses to them that we have discussed.
Explore, and engage with one set of readings: Judith Herman’s account of trauma; James Baldwin’s reflections on race, religion, and suffering; the Book of Job and Gustavo Gutiérrez’s interpretation of it; Thich Nhat Hanh’s Engaged Buddhism; arguments for the non-existence of God based upon ‘the problem of evil’ and responses to these arguments.
