Issues of death, dying, and the meaning life—and the afterlife—hold key places in the belief systems of the major religious traditions of the world. Graham M. Schweig, a professor of philosophy and religion at Christopher Newport University, surveys differing visions of these timeless themes from a variety of Eastern and Western cultural perspectives. Stories, teachings, and rituals from the major faiths, as well as contemporary interpretations, are examined to illuminate the ultimate life event: death.
9:30–10:45 a.m. Overview: Comparative Religions and Life After Death
What is religion? And what is the role of death, dying, and the afterlife in world religions? These topics and the various conceptions of the soul and the human struggle for purpose and meaning among the three major global religious systems are explored.
11 a.m.–12:15 p.m. Semitic Traditions
Visions of death and the afterlife from the ancient Middle Eastern traditions, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Key figures and tenets are discussed.
12:15–1:30 p.m. Lunch (participants provide their own)
1:30–2:45 p.m. East Asian Traditions
Compare conceptions of death and the afterlife in Confucianism, Taosim, Shinto, and Buddhism and how the worldview of Eastern traditions posits a very different view of life after death.
3–4:15 p.m. South Asian Traditions and Modern Reflections
Hinduism, Jainism, and Sikhism are examined, as well as contemporary interpretations of themes on death, dying, and the afterlife.
