Spiritual but not Religious (RLST 228)

Term: 2023-2024 - Fall

Faculty

Stephen L MartinShow MyInfo popup for Stephen L Martin

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Ryan P Murphy PhDShow MyInfo popup for Ryan P Murphy PhD

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Ryan P. Murphy, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Sociology

Chestnut Hill College

murphyr@chc.edu

215.248.7032

Schedule

Mon-Wed, 12:30 PM - 1:45 PM (8/28/2023 - 12/15/2023) Location: MAIN SJ 247

Description

Examines the growing number of “Nones”—those who profess no religious affiliation, along with the similar phenomenon: “spiritual but not religious.” Uses an interdisciplinary approach involving both theological/religious and sociological analyses to examine how individuals and groups make meaning and sense of the world. Integrates essential aspects from a theological/religious view of religious experience, spirituality and beliefs among formal religions. Uses a sociological examination of religion and the relationship of “spiritual but not religious” to the number of “Nones.” As students gain knowledge of religion and spirituality, they will be asked to consider questions such “why does spirituality seem ‘not religious’” - and be exposed to the view that religion and spirituality are dependent on each other. Additionally, students will also learn to critically evaluate how wider contexts, including the history of ideas such as atheism and modern and post-modern philosophies of religion