Godly sex and godless atheism

My courses at the University of Manitoba in Winter 2023 are open for registration for students and auditors.

RELIGION AND SEXUALITY (RLGN 1424).

This is a first-year course, an introduction to world religions through the lens of sexuality. Early in the course we will look at whether casual sex or lifelong monogamy is more traditional and religious (hint: the answer depends on which religion or tradition). From there, we’ll explore teachings, stories, and practices around sexuality in a broad sense, along the lines of the World Health Organization’s unofficial working definition: “Sexuality… encompasses sex, gender identities and roles, sexual orientation, eroticism, pleasure, intimacy and reproduction.”

To some extent this is a sexuality education course, advocating for self-acceptance, awareness of diversity, and mutual respect.

This is a lecture and discussion course. Each lecture will be about a different religion in relation to a specific topic in sexuality. For example, the class on The Satanic Temple will give some general background and information on this religion but focus on their religious abortion ritual. Assigned readings, however, will all be about the Jewish people and their religion, Judaism, so as to give a more in-depth picture of at least one tradition and community.

Schedule: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 11:30-12:45, January 10 through April 11, Armes Lecture Building. No exam.

ATHEISM (RLGN 2200). No, atheism is not a religion — but people who study religion are interested in atheism too. This course has turned out to be a welcoming and safe setting for students to learn more about each other’s beliefs and non-beliefs, and explore their own. We’ll look at the history of atheism, which goes back as far as religion; what people mean by atheism (this varies by time and place); arguments for atheism; some important atheists; and how religions have adapted to atheism or, sometimes, adopted atheism. The focus of this course is on readings and discussion.

Schedule: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10-11:15, January 10 through April 11, University College 236. No exam.

For more information call me at (204) 474-8696 or email Justin_Lewis@umanitoba.ca.