Readings on Faiths: Heaven and Hell
A Book Group Exploring the Diversity of Religion
| WHAT? | Learning Circle |
| WHEN? | May 29 – June 26, 2025 Meets weekly on Fridays 8:30 – 9:30 AM Pacific / 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM Eastern |
| WHERE? | Online Via Zoom |
| WHO? | Terry Goddard |
Readings on Faiths Around the World is a book group that reads and discusses books covering the vast diversity of world faiths. Of course, the standard seven world religions will be included but we will also explore less well-known religious/spiritual groups including Afro-Caribbean, Bahá’í, Humanist, Jain, Pagan, Zoroastrian, and more. The only prerequisite needed for this group is a desire to learn more about the world’s religious traditions.
Please come to each session having read the assigned section and be prepared to participate in the discussion with the group. Future books to be discussed, and dates will be provided here as the sessions are scheduled.
Upcoming
Our next book is Heaven and Hell: A History of the Afterlife, by Bart D. Ehrman. Ehrman is a leading authority on the New Testament and early Christianity. He is recently retired from the University of North Carolina. In this book he discusses the origins of ideas surrounding what happens after death. Demonstrating that ideas of heaven and hell / punishments and rewards appear nowhere in the Old Testament and they were not taught by Jesus or his earliest followers.
So, Ehrman takes us on a trip further back in human history to discover the origins of afterlife. One discovery he makes is that there never was a single understanding of the afterlife, but rather numerous competing ideas. Fear of death is central to many folks’ thoughts of the afterlife. But why?
Join me for five Fridays, beginning May 29th and concluding on June 26th, at 8:30am Pacific Time and 11:30am Eastern Time.
How to Join/Access
To access the Zoom meeting information and learning circle resources you must (1) have an account, (2) be logged in, and (3) be enrolled.
If you don’t have an account, you will need to create one by signing up to become a member of the P&F community. Click here to register now.
Once you have an account and are logged in, return to this page, and click on the Enroll in Group button near the top. You will be then automatically enrolled and sent an email confirmation with additional information.
Previously Read
About the Facilitator
Terry Goddard has a PhD from Chicago Theological Seminary in the history of religion. He is retired professor of history and religion. Terry writes a blog, many of which address Loren Eiseley and his thought as well as religious topics.
How to Join/Access
To access the Zoom meeting information and learning circle resources you must (1) have an account, (2) be logged in, and (3) be enrolled.
If you don’t have an account, you will need to create one by signing up to become a member of the P&F community. Click here to register now.
Once you have an account and are logged in, return to this page, and click on the Enroll in Group button near the top. You will be then automatically enrolled and sent an email confirmation with additional information.