24 The Religion of Ordinary Life (Parts 6-
Is Life Beautiful?
WARNING! This session contains ideas about death that may be uncomfortable for some students.
Remind students that we have been looking at the philosophy of Don Cupitt in comparison to some traditional ‘religious’ ideas, such as ‘God’, ‘soul’, ‘eternal life’, biblical commandments, etc. But how does Cupitt think people can really live a good life if there is no ‘God’, no ‘heaven’ and no ‘hell’? If we are born, live our lives and die, isn’t that just a philosophy of despair? Where is the ‘hope’; where is the ‘beauty?’
Show students the stop-
By way of contrast, show ‘Life is Beautiful’ by The Afters (a Christian group) at: www.godtube.com/watch/?v=FM1CBCNU
Explain that, on The Afters’ website, the lead singer, Josh Havens, says, ‘The only true alchemy in this world occurs when trials turn to gold, the debris and heartbreak of life transformed and polished into shining beauty by a loving, unseen hand. We try to catch a glimpse of this remarkable change in action, yet human eyes fail us. However, once these storms of life pass, we see the afterglow through signs as sure as Noah’s ancient rainbow. A loved one overcomes. Morning breaks after an impossibly long night. Grace thunders through spiritual drought with a mighty downpour of living water. All of this, and more, affirms the fact that yes, life is beautiful.’
Ask the students to respond to such questions as:
Show students Parts 6 and 7 of Cupitt’s ‘The Religion of Ordinary Life’ on ‘The End of the Real World’ and ‘Death’. Provide some reading and reflection time and ask students to comment on anything they find puzzling, interesting or contentious.
After some time exchanging views, get some feedback from the groups and encourage an exchange of views and ideas, especially on the idea of comparing belief in God as ‘an unseen hand’ with Cupitt’s ‘Religion of Ordinary Life’.
In particular bring out some of their thinking on such ideas as:
Play ‘Imagine’ by John Lennon, e.g., with the video at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRhq-
A printable (pdf) version of this session can be found here
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