Faith Curriculum Library: Tapestry of Faith: Building Bridges: A World Religions Program for 8th-9th Grades

Activity 4: Time Line and Fact Sheet

Activity time: 10 minutes

Materials for Activity

  • Religions Time Line (Workshop 1)
  • Sticky notes and fine-point markers
  • World map or globe
  • Handout 3, Humanism Fact Sheet

Preparation for Activity

  • Post the Religions Time Line where it will be visible to all participants.
  • Place the map or globe where it will be visible to all participants.
  • Create and set aside sticky notes saying, "Greek humanist philosophers, 500 BCE;" "Ethical Culture movement, 1876;" and "Humanist Manifesto I, 1933."

Description of Activity

The Religions Time Line is updated to add Humanism.

Ask participants if they remember when humanist philosophy was first espoused (in ancient Greece). Place sticky note on time line. When Humanist movements became organized (Ethical Culture movement, 1876)? When the first Humanist Manifesto was written? (1933) When Humanism became an important part of Unitarian Univeralism? (throughout the 20th century to the present). Remind participants that all the world's faiths have sometimes found humanist expression. Let them know that there are Christian Humanists, Jewish Humanists, and Buddhists Humanists (Humanistic Buddhism: A Blueprint for Life, by Venerable Master Hsing Yun (Hacienda Heights, CA: Buddha's Light Publishing, 2005)

Point out Greece on the map, and the United States. Remind participants that Humanism has had global impact in religion, government, the arts, and the sciences.

Distribute Handout 3, Humanism Fact Sheet to take home. Ask:

  • What questions do you still have about Humanism?
  • What beliefs do UUs and Humanists share?
  • How does knowing about Humanism influence your Unitarian Universalist faith?

If you will be engaging with a Humanist community or a guest panel from the congregation, give participants the information they need.