A Secular Buddhism by Stephen Batchelor

Summarize an argument for “secular buddhism” and provide two arguments against Batchelor’s Thesis based on your analysis and then provide two arguments of your own (not found in Batchelor) in support of Batchelor’s thesis and then finally summarize your point of view for or against Batchelor and say why. (NO outside research necessary, just the cite the Batchelor article). The article is attached below as well as rubric.
Format:
–Five pages minimum, no penalty for writing more
–Be sure to number your pages
–Check grammar and spelling
–1-inch margins top, bottom, left and right
–Double spaced
–Times New Roman font, 12-point
–Use simplified parenthetical citation. For example, (Vedas, 34) or (Upanishads, 23) or (Nattier,
21) or (Murphy, 11), (Gethin, 342), etc. No need for a bibliography or references section. Just
use the course readings, no external sources/research is necessary or allowed for this
assignment.

Writer’s Choice

In an essay of 250 – 350  words describe the closest experience  you have had to what the readings describe as “religious” or “unobjective.”  This need not necessarily involve “God,” but should reflect some of the characteristics of such an experience as described in the readings.  Be sure to draw analogies between your experience and what the authors of the readings describe. You must use two direct references to two different readings (or viewings) for the Module (with in-text citations and footnotes in proper MLA form).   
REQUIRED: MLA FORMATTING INCLUSIVE OF IN-TEXT CITATIONS AND WORKS CITED
Sources:
https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/religious-experience/
In the Presence of Mystery (Chapter 2)

Islamist Views

Read Chapt. 2 of the Phares book.
Books used Phares, Walid (2005) Future Jihad, Terrorist Strategies Against the West, Palgrave, Macmillan and Aaron, David (2008) In Their Own Words, Voices of Jihad, Rand: Santa Monica, California

Skim through the three links below to gain some background information on the ta

Skim through the three links below to gain some background information on the taboo of drawing or depicting the Prophet Muhammad, the incident of a “draw Muhammad cartoon contest” in Texas, and the new Free Speech law in Arizona which passed last year. Then answer the question prompts fully by choosing a position and defending it thoughtfully and tactfully. Remember – this is a contentious topic and you are to be respectful. You may also choose to play “devil’s advocate” by trying to defend a position with which you don’t actually personally agree. Taboo and Restrictions on Depicting the Prophet Muhammad: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Depictions_of_Muhammad -Begin thinking about why subsequent generations were uncomfortable depicting Muhammad, in contrast to other religious figures in the Abrahamic line, such as Moses or Jesus Free Speech and Depicting the Prophet in America and Europe: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curtis_Culwell_Center_attack -Begin thinking about the legal protections of free speech and expression in contrast to the religious sensibilities of Muslims and the violence that can be caused when people are religiously offended Arizona’s law protecting Free Speech and Expression on University Campuses: https://www.statepress.com/article/2018/09/sppolitics-abor-releases-mandatory-report-regarding-free-expression -Begin thinking about the benefits and consequences of this law on our own campus at ASU Question prompts: Let’s say hypothetically that there is an ASU student group called “Students for First Amendment” or SFA who want to bring the organizers of the Texas “Draw Muhammad” contest, Pamela Geller and the AFDI to ASU. They apply to the University to get the space so that they can begin publicizing the event under the new Arizona free speech law and its guidelines. A local Islamic group hears about the event and demands that ASU reject the application. If you are the President of the University, what would you do: Position 1) Hold the event, in support of free speech, even though it might mean demonstrations and security threats. Position 2) Censor the event, in support of religious sensitivities, even though it might mean a lawsuit from the “Students for First Amendment” (SFA) Explain your position thoroughly, including your reasoning and the impact on both groups and the larger ASU and Arizona community. Don’t forget to illustrate your familiarity with the chapter, and consider how the general idea of pluralism plays into this issue.

For this research paper, you must write a cohesive essay that’s 6-7 pages long (

For this research paper, you must write a cohesive essay that’s 6-7 pages long (double-spaced, regular fonts and margins). Compare and contrast two specific religions from two different families (to be clear, this means you should NOT be comparing, say, Christianity and Islam, or Buddhism and Hinduism): • An Indigenous religion (choose a specific tradition from somewhere in the world) • Confucianism OR Daoism • Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, OR Jainism • Judaism, Christianity, OR Islam on ONE of the following topics: • Nature of the Divine or Ultimate Reality • The creation, or origin, of the world • The end of the world • Death, dying, and/or the afterlife • Human nature • Miracles • Food • Architecture • Sex • Suffering • War and violence • Salvation/Liberation • Holy sites • The purpose of prayer • The status of women and/or LGBTQ+ people • Environmental issues • Divine possession, or the divine in human form • …Or choose your own topic to compare the two traditions (run it by me first) STRUCTURE • title page • introduction (approx. half a page), including a thesis statement • outline of how the topic is understood/explained within the first tradition (approx. 1-1.5 pages)  cite appropriate source(s) in support • outline of how the topic is understood/explained within the second tradition (approx. 1-1.5 pages)  cite appropriate source(s) in support • analysis of the main points of comparison, either similarity or contrast, between the traditions with regard to the topic (approx. 1.5-2 pages)  again, you can cite a source if relevant here, but this analysis should primarily be your own • conclusion (approx. half a page) • bibliography/works cited Note that the thesis statement is in bold, but it needs to be contextualized by the statements before. You should also include some idea of the direction of the paper (what you will do) after your thesis. For the comparative analysis, you will need to identify the main points of interest within your chosen topic – both similarities and/or differences – between the religious groups, using examples to help. Try to avoid stating the obvious here; the more subtle and/or deep your analysis, the better. The conclusion is essentially a re-stating of your thesis, plus perhaps offering some ‘food for thought’ for future analysis. you must find at least two ACADEMIC sources.