REL 120 Exploring World Religions
REL 125 Religions of the East*
REL 126 Religions of the West*
Guidelines for Visitation Paper

*PLEASE NOTE: For REL 125 Religions of the East, you may write only about sites associated with Eastern religious traditions.  Likewise, for REL 126 Religions of the West, you may write only about sites associated with Western religious traditions.  See below for a list of suggested sites.

Page requirement: refer to syllabus description for your course (i.e., REL 120/125/126)

IMPORTANT: think of yourself as a journalist or researcher; this paper is to be an objective analysis of a religious tradition in the context of its practice in a human community.  While your observation, interpretation, and assessment of what is taking place is important, do not use this paper as an opportunity to judge, belittle, and/or condemn the practices of those whose faith and/or belief system is different from your own.  "Critical thinking" is not the same as simply "criticizing."

Format: Typed, double-spaced. Use a conventional font and neutral paper, i.e., no orange day-glow paper with wedding invitation italics! All quotes, textual excerpts, etc. must be cited, either by footnotes, endnotes or parenthetically within the body of the paper. All interviews, sources, etc. should be included in a bibliography.

Elements of the Paper

1. History

a. Who began this tradition, i.e., this particular group/community? What were the circumstances surrounding the creation of this community?  In other words, write about the history of this particular place, not the entire religious tradition.

b. How long ago did this community begin? Did they start at a different location than where they gather now?

c. In what way(s) is this group different today than it was when it began?

d. Who do people revere or lift up as significant personalities or "heroes" of this particular group/community? How do people talk about them? What did they do that made them notable?

2. Space

a. Describe the physical space(s) in which the worship and/or assembly take place.

b. Is the space set up to control and/or guide what takes place and/or what you see?

c. What elements or objects in the space seem to be central or most important?

d. Does the space express (or impose) certain kinds of relationships between persons, objects, sub-spaces within the overall space?

3. Activity

a. Describe what happens within the space before, during and after worship.

b. What types of symbol or ritual are employed?  What are they expressing?

c. What particular events seem to stand out as important or central? Why?

4. Culture

a. Whatever the “world religion” is that you are researching/visiting, it is taking place in the United States. How does it relate to the secular “American” culture, i.e., "the world?" Is the world a "bad" place to be denied? A "good" place to be affirmed? Or is it a "neutral" place with which one should simply coexist? How so?

b. Give an example of how this relationship is expressed through what the group does or says.

c. How does this religious community see itself in relation to other religions or belief systems? Is it inclusive? Exclusive?  Is there only "one way?"

You should be able to address all four of the elements listed above.  Depending on where you choose to go, some elements will apply better than others. You may discover some elements of your own.  But most importantly...

BE CREATIVE!

Visitation Sites in the Kansas City Area

These are suggestions and guides only; you are by no means limited to this list.

Call for times and schedules of events.

Hinduism

Hindu Temple and Cultural Center, 6330 Lackman Rd., Shawnee, KS 66217. 913-631-7519.

Vedanta Society of Kansas City, 8701 Ward Parkway, Kansas City, MO 64114. 816-444-8045.

Buddhism

American Buddhist Center, Unity Temple on the Plaza, 707 W. 47th St., Kansas City, MO 64112. 816-561-4466.

Kansas Zen Center, 1423 New York St., Lawrence, KS. 785-331-2472.

Laotian Buddhist Association, 725 Spruce, Olathe, KS 66061. 913-829-6647.

Rime Buddhist Center (Tibetan Buddhism), 700 West Penway, Kansas City, MO 64108. 816-471-7073.

Judaism

Congregation BIAV Orthodox (Orthodox), 9900 Antioch Rd., Overland Park, KS 66212 913-341-2444.

B'nai Jehudah Congregation (Reform), 12320 Nall, Overland Park, KS 66209 913-663-4050.

Congregation Beth Shalom (Conservative), 14200 Lamar Avenue, Overland Park, KS 913-647-7279.

Congregation Beth Torah (Reform), 6100 West 127th St., Overland Park, KS 66207. 913-498-2212.

Congregation Ohev Sholom (Conservative), 5311 W. 75th St., Leawood, KS 66208. 913-642-6460.

Kehilath Israel Synagogue (Conservative), 10501 Conser, Overland Park, KS 66212. 913-642-1880.

Christianity: Orthodox

Greek Orthodox Church of St. Dionysios, 8100 W. 95th St., Overland Park, KS 66212. 913-341-7373.

Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation, 12001 Wornall Rd., Kansas City, MO 64145. 816-942-9100.

Christianity: Roman

Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 416 W. 12th St., Kansas City, MO 64105. 816-842-0416

St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 11311 Johnson Dr., Shawnee, KS 66203. 913-631-5983.

St. Pius X Catholic Church, 5601 Woodson, Mission, KS 66202. 913-432-4808.

St. Thomas Moore Catholic Church, 11822 Holmes, Kansas City, MO 64131 816-942-2492.

Christianity: Protestant, Congregationalist and Independent Denominations

Church of the Resurrection United Methodist Church, 13720 Roe, Leawood, KS 66224. 913-897-0120.

Leawood Presbyterian Church, 2715 W. 83rd St., Leawood, KS 66206. 913-649-1144.

Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church, 1100 College Blvd., Overland Park, KS 66210. 913-345-1256.

Valley View United Methodist Church, 8412 W. 95th St., Overland Park, KS 66212. 913-642-4400.

Church of the Nazarene, 7600 Antioch, Overland Park, KS 66204. 913-648-3044.

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormon), 7100 Hadley, Overland Park, KS 66204. 913-722-6231.

Quaker Meeting Unprogrammed, 4405 Gillham Rd., Kansas City, MO 64110. 816-931-5256.

Full Faith Church of Love, 6824 Lackman, Shawnee, KS 66217. 913-631-1100.

First Church of Christ, Scientist, 6401 W. 87th St., Overland Park, KS 66212. 913-381-1374.

Adat Yeshua Messianic Congregation (Messianic Judaism; "Jews for Jesus"). Check phone book for number..

Islam

Islamic Center of Kansas City, 8501 E. 99th St., Kansas City, MO 64134. 816-763-2267.

Masjid Omar, 2700 E. 49th St., Kansas City, MO 64130. 816-924-5683.

Interfaith and Ecumenical

Unitarian Universalist Church, 7725 W. 87th St., Shawnee, KS 66212. 913-381-3336.

Unity Church of Overland Park, 10300 Antioch Rd., Overland Park, KS 66212. 913-649-1750.

Unity Temple on the Plaza, 707 W. 47th St., Kansas City, MO 64112. 816-561-4466.

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