Curated OER
Compare Roles and Values Guide
In this roles and values worksheet, students write situations where they are in different roles, write their values, and the origin for the values. Students complete 5 situations.
Curated OER
Background Beliefs
Students explore the beliefs and values of others. They discover that different types of background beliefs and experiences have a profound effect upon a person's world view. They explore whether a disagreement is over facts or values...
Curated OER
Who Ever Heard of the Big Bang?
Students examine the theories that attempt to explain the origins of the Universe. Some theories are based on scientific facts. Others find their source in folklore. The variety of beliefs systems are discussed as a motivating factor for...
Curated OER
The Moon is made of Cheese
Eighth graders explore the reasons why they believe scientific ideas are true. They think critically rather than accept everything they are told without question.
Other
Intro to the Ancient Essenes & the Modern Essene Church
Discusses sources on the Essenes (Philo and Josephus). Also discusses Enoch, founder of the Essenes, the Essenes relationship to Christianity, and their beliefs.
TED Talks
Ted: Ted Ed: The Pattern Behind Self Deception
Michael Shermer says the human tendency to believe strange things- from alien abductions to dowsing rods- boils down to two of the brain's most basic, hard-wired survival skills. He explains what they are and how they get us into...
PBS
Islam: Empire of Faith: Five Pillars
Follow each of the five links to gain a deeper understanding of the Five Pillars of Islam.
Other
The Latter Rain: Essenes
Discusses the Essenes' beliefs, way of life, relationship to the Dead Sea Scrolls, and similarities to both Judaism and Jesus' teachings.
Other
The Latter Rain: Pharisees
Discusses Pharisees' beliefs and relationships with Christians and their place in Jewish society at the time of Jesus.
Sophia Learning
Sophia: Belief Systems and Assumptions: Lesson 2
At the end of this tutorial, the learner will understand that people's experiences lead them to make assumptions about how the world "is" (beliefs) and organize these assumptions into systems. It is 2 of 3 in the series titled "Belief...
Boston University
Boston University: Belief Worlds and Epistemic Possibilities
This site from the Boston University argues that belief, and not only knowledge, can establish epistemic possibilities for an individual. Redescribes knowledge as an "ability to shift attention among our various belief worlds."
Other
Coherence, Certainty, and Epistemic Priority
Drawing upon the work of contemporary philosopher C.I. Lews, author argues that coherence theories alternately address truth, justification, and concepts. Discusses the interconnections of these three versions of coherence theories and...
Other
Personal Site: Inter Religious Attitude
A long essay from this personal site detailing Hinduism's tolerance of other religions and downplaying Hindu-Muslim tension in present-day India. Claims that Hindu India has always been a sanctuary for oppressed members of other...