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41
There are no political parties in the United States that have «Chris-
tian» in their names.
There is no longer even the assumption that America is, or should
be, «a white, Anglo-Saxon, Protestant» (WASP) nation.
Yet, surveys show that religion continues to be quite important to ma-
ny Americans, especially when compared with people in other countries.
7. Read the text and answer the following questions:
9 Comment on the title of the text.
9 What are «fundamentalist» denominations?
9 What is the recent trend concerning «mainline» churches?
9 Why is the membership in «fundamentalist» Christian groups
increased?
9 Render the text.
RETURN TO RELIGION?
While 58 percent of Americans feel that religion is «very important»
in their own lives, it is hard to say to what extend religious beliefs affect
their daily lives. However, a study done by Gallup International in 1986
seems to show that attention to religion is increasing in the United States.
Some 48 percent of those surveyed felt that the influence of religion on
American life was greater than it was five years before (but, of course, 52
percent did not think it was greater). Also, about half said they were more
interested in «spiritual and religious matters» than they were five years ear-
lier. Throughout American history,
there have been periods of religious
revivals which have come and gone. If there is in fact «return to religion»
at present, then it is associated with the more «fundamentalists» denomina-
tions. These church groups are usually more conservative and orthodox in
their religious beliefs and practices.
Membership in the less conservative, so-called «mainline» Protes-
tant churches in the U.S. has actually fallen in the last ten years by about 8
percent. Furthermore, church attendance by (Roman) Catholics has
dropped by about a third during the same period. By contrast, membership
in the fundamentalist Christian churches has gone up by 35 percent, and
orthodox Jewish congregations have increased by as much as 100 percent.
The increase in the fundamentalist Christian groups has attracted much
public attention. One reason is that many of these groups actively publicize
their beliefs and try to influence public life and political processes. Many
42
have their own radio or television stations, which they and their members
finance. Yet overall fundamentalist churches still represent a minority, even
if a very active one, of all American church groups and members.
8. Discuss with your group mates:
9 predominant religions in the world;
9 religions, denominations, and churches existing in their coun-
tries;
9 whether for most people of their countries religion is a part of
their world view, or pattern of behaviour, or both.
9. Read the text and do the following exercises.
BUDDHA’S BIRTHDAY
In May each year, Buddha’s birthday is celebrated with candlelit
processions, the hanging of lanterns in temples and the day-long chanting
of prayers. It is a day when Buddhists take time to think of and pray for the
less fortunate in the world.
1) What do you know about Buddhism? Can you answer the questions?
a. How old is Buddhism?
b. In which countries is Buddhism practised?
c. How many Buddhists are there in the world today?
d. Do you know any celebrities who are Buddhists?
e. Why is Buddhism not considered a religion?
f. How did Buddhism originate?
g. What is the Middle Way?
h. What does the word ‘Buddha’ mean?
i. What is karma?
j. What is nirvana?
k. What is every Buddhist’s aim?
l. What is the eight-fold path?
2) Read the information below to find the answers to the questions in 1.
Introduction
The many forms of Buddhism have helped to shape the lives and
outlooks of its followers for over two-and-a-half thousand years. Most of
today’s 500 million Buddhists live in eastern Asian countries such as Thai-
land, Tibet, India, Japan and Korea, but in recent years, Buddhism has be-
There are no political parties in the United States that have «Chris- have their own radio or television stations, which they and their members
tian» in their names. finance. Yet overall fundamentalist churches still represent a minority, even
There is no longer even the assumption that America is, or should if a very active one, of all American church groups and members.
be, «a white, Anglo-Saxon, Protestant» (WASP) nation.
Yet, surveys show that religion continues to be quite important to ma- 8. Discuss with your group mates:
ny Americans, especially when compared with people in other countries.
9 predominant religions in the world;
9 religions, denominations, and churches existing in their coun-
7. Read the text and answer the following questions:
tries;
9 Comment on the title of the text. 9 whether for most people of their countries religion is a part of
9 What are «fundamentalist» denominations? their world view, or pattern of behaviour, or both.
9 What is the recent trend concerning «mainline» churches?
9 Why is the membership in «fundamentalist» Christian groups 9. Read the text and do the following exercises.
increased?
9 Render the text. BUDDHA’S BIRTHDAY
In May each year, Buddha’s birthday is celebrated with candlelit
RETURN TO RELIGION?
processions, the hanging of lanterns in temples and the day-long chanting
While 58 percent of Americans feel that religion is «very important» of prayers. It is a day when Buddhists take time to think of and pray for the
in their own lives, it is hard to say to what extend religious beliefs affect less fortunate in the world.
their daily lives. However, a study done by Gallup International in 1986 1) What do you know about Buddhism? Can you answer the questions?
seems to show that attention to religion is increasing in the United States. a. How old is Buddhism?
Some 48 percent of those surveyed felt that the influence of religion on b. In which countries is Buddhism practised?
American life was greater than it was five years before (but, of course, 52 c. How many Buddhists are there in the world today?
percent did not think it was greater). Also, about half said they were more d. Do you know any celebrities who are Buddhists?
interested in «spiritual and religious matters» than they were five years ear- e. Why is Buddhism not considered a religion?
lier. Throughout American history, there have been periods of religious f. How did Buddhism originate?
revivals which have come and gone. If there is in fact «return to religion» g. What is the Middle Way?
at present, then it is associated with the more «fundamentalists» denomina- h. What does the word ‘Buddha’ mean?
tions. These church groups are usually more conservative and orthodox in i. What is karma?
their religious beliefs and practices. j. What is nirvana?
Membership in the less conservative, so-called «mainline» Protes- k. What is every Buddhist’s aim?
tant churches in the U.S. has actually fallen in the last ten years by about 8 l. What is the eight-fold path?
percent. Furthermore, church attendance by (Roman) Catholics has 2) Read the information below to find the answers to the questions in 1.
dropped by about a third during the same period. By contrast, membership
in the fundamentalist Christian churches has gone up by 35 percent, and Introduction
orthodox Jewish congregations have increased by as much as 100 percent.
The many forms of Buddhism have helped to shape the lives and
The increase in the fundamentalist Christian groups has attracted much
outlooks of its followers for over two-and-a-half thousand years. Most of
public attention. One reason is that many of these groups actively publicize
today’s 500 million Buddhists live in eastern Asian countries such as Thai-
their beliefs and try to influence public life and political processes. Many
land, Tibet, India, Japan and Korea, but in recent years, Buddhism has be-
41 42
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