無論在群體社會或個人的生活當中，無論是有意識地追求，或跟隨習俗行禮如儀，宗教現象或影響都不斷地出現在你我生活的周遭。對大多數年輕人來說，宗教活動似乎是過時的玩意，但仍時常出現在生活中(例如點光明燈、拜文昌帝君、祭祖等)，對生活有種既親密又疏離的牽連。宗教是什麼？為什麼又有那麼多型態的宗教，我需要宗教信仰嗎？宗教對於個人或社會群體又有哪些影響？我們可以用理性思辨的方式來瞭解嗎？

本課程係通識人文宗教精神課程之一，將從宗教精神的核心概念出發，課程的第一個部分，在協助學生瞭解宗教的多元面相，以及對個人與人類社會影響的機制。這部分的課程內容除了宗教概念的探討外，將以「東海大學創設理念與實踐歷程」來做案例的討論；接著探討人類社會三個主要宗教傳統的內涵與精神，目的是讓學生可以從瞭解不同宗教傳統，對個人生命歷程與人類福祉的詮釋與核心義意，並進一步探討台灣主要宗教之發展歷程，以及其核心內涵和影響。最後一個部分將聚焦在基督宗教的核心精神，並詮釋基督信仰對當代社會個人與社會的影響，並回應東海大學的創立與基督教信仰的相關性。最終目的期待協助學生在這多元文化的社會中，經由對宗教精神的瞭解，可以協助建立適當的生活目標與價值觀，並積極的在生活中實踐。

立基於本校為基督教創立之大學，為讓修課同學對於本校的創設與基督信仰精神的關係有比較深刻的理解，本課程將強化基督信仰的介紹與詮釋的比重(詳細課程安排請見教學進度表)。

No matter in group society or individual life, whether it is conscious pursuit or following customs and etiquette, religious phenomena or influences are constantly appearing around you and me. For most young people, religious activities seem to be an outdated thing, but they still often appear in life (such as lighting lanterns, worshiping Emperor Wenchang, worshiping ancestors, etc.), and they have both an intimate and distant involvement in life. What is religion? Why are there so many types of religions? Do I need a religious belief? What impact does religion have on individuals or social groups? Can we understand it rationally?

This course is one of the general humanistic religious and spiritual courses. It will start from the core concepts of religious spirituality. The first part of the course helps students understand the diverse aspects of religion and the mechanisms of its impact on individuals and human society. In addition to the discussion of religious concepts, this part of the course will also use "Tunghai University's founding philosophy and practical history" as a case discussion; and then explore the connotation and spirit of the three major religious traditions in human society. The purpose is to allow students to understand different religious traditions, their interpretation and core meaning of personal life history and human well-being, and further explore the development process of Taiwan's major religions, as well as their core connotations and influences. The last part will focus on the core spirit of Christianity, explain the impact of Christianity on individuals and society in contemporary society, and respond to the founding of Tunghai University and the relevance of Christian faith. The ultimate goal is to help students in this multicultural society, through their understanding of religious spirituality, help establish appropriate life goals and values, and actively practice them in life.

Based on the fact that our school is a Christian university, in order to allow students to have a deeper understanding of the relationship between the founding of our school and the spirit of Christian faith, this course will emphasize the introduction and interpretation of Christian faith (see the teaching schedule for detailed course arrangements).

(一) 史托特 (John R. W. Stott)著，劉良淑、臧玉芝譯，2012，《認識聖經的八堂課》。台北：校園書房。
(二) 丘為君等著，2006，《東海大學五十年校史，1955-2005》。台中：東海大學出版社。

(1) "Eight Lessons on Understanding the Bible" by John R. W. Stott, translated by Liu Liangshu and Zang Yuzhi, 2012. Taipei: Campus Study Room.
(2) Qiu Weijun et al., 2006, "Fifty-Year History of Tunghai University, 1955-2005". Taichung: Tunghai University Press.