World Religions & Spirituality: A Focus on Islam & Christianity (Two Parts)

Almost one-third of the world’s population views themselves as Christians. Approximately a quarter identify as Muslims. Fifteen percent practice Hinduism. Six percent practice Buddhism, and approximately a fifth of a percent practice Judaism. Together, these religions account for over three-quarters of the world; a huge majority of the earth’s population see themselves as religious. Nevertheless, all of these religions are incredibly different and produce divergent worldviews. By contrast, 15% of the world identifies as nonreligious. 

Christianity is the largest religion in the world and Islam is the second-largest. In a few decades, it’s believed that Islam will surpass Christianity. Thus, in many ways, some have seen these as competing religions. Nevertheless, these lectures will examine these two largest religions and note the similarities and points of connection between them. It will consider the origins of both, their development over the centuries and note both their differences and their points of agreement.

Jason Hensley, PhD (Holocaust and Genocide Studies) and DMin (Biblical Studies), teaches religious studies at a private school in Los Angeles. He is a fellow of the Michael LaPrade Holocaust Education Institute of the Anti-Defamation League, a higher-education ambassador for the Council on Foreign Relations, and the award-winning author of 12 books. 

The Fifty and Better (FAB) program was designed for people 50 years of age and older, seeking intellectual stimulation through university-level courses — without the pressure of grades — for the sake of learning and social engagement.

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Register by 3 p.m. Wednesday before each lecture