The Religions of Man (1955)

In this first episode Dr. Smith presents background and introductory material for the series as a whole.

This is the first of three episodes on Hinduism, one of the major living religions of the world. Its adherents claim it to be the oldest, as well, with historical roots dating back to 2500 BC. There are over 200,000,000 Hindus today, almost all of whom live in India. The first episode takes up the what, why and how of Hinduism.

Yoga, a word that smacks of the bizarre to Westerners, is the phase of Hinduism to be taken up in the second episode of the series. In its religious sense, yoga refers to a method of union with God. The episode explains the four yogas: the way of God through knowledge, the way of God through work, through love, and by way of psychological exercises.

Dr. Huston Smith, series lecturer, explains the basic concepts of Hinduism. The discussion will touch upon Brahman the Hindu God and Hindu teachings toward man, reincarnation and the universe.

Buddhism, a religion that ranges over 2500 years in time and over most of Asia in influence, is studied in episodes four, five and six. Dr. Smith traces the life of Buddha, an Indian kings son, who renounced his heritage at the age of 29, spent six years in study, then travelled across India for 45 years, teaching, counseling and organizing the order of Buddhist monks. Buddhas life and teachings are interpreted by Dr. Smith.

Dr. Smith explains why, a century after Buddhas death, the need for a new interpretation of his teachings arose. The original version is essentially a religion for monks today; the interpretation is for laymen.

Zen Buddhism is a sect that is beginning to exert a noticeable influence on a number of Western minds, Dr. Smith points out. Zen has an unusual flavor, he reports, for it contains wisdom, urbanity, sophistication, and genuine spirituality.

Confucianism is one of two religions of China studied. Originating during a period of great unrest, Confucianism sought to set up patterns of behavior for men to follow. Dr. Smith explains these basic ideas in detail.

A Chinese religion less well known than Confucianism is introduced in the ninth episode of the series. Profoundly mystical, Taoism teaches a subtle and skilled approach to living that avoids violence, jerkiness and self-assertion in favor of subtlety, grace and pure effectiveness.

Islam, a religion commonly called Mohammedism, is discussed in episodes ten and eleven. Mohammed and his message is taken up in the tenth episode. Disregarded at first, Mohammeds teachings later spread like wildfire through Arabia and other lands. He brought about outstanding improvements: For the first time in history he made universal human brotherhood a fact.

The second episode on Islam is based on the social teaching of that religion. From the beginning Islam was intensely concerned with social issues, Dr. Smith points out. Eight of the religions precepts deal with interpersonal relationships such as taxation, banning of usury, inheritance laws and exclusion of rights to unearned money.

Dr. Smith introduces his discussion of Judaism with a consideration of the chosen people concept which the Jews preserve. He discusses the creation of the prophets, the covenant and the individual morality believed in by this religious group.

The law of Judaism is divisible into two groups: ethical and ritualistic law, according to Dr. Smith. He discusses each and explains the Torah and the Ten Commandments of the Jewish faith.

Dr. Smith discusses the life of Jesus Christ and the impression he made and left on his close associates. He explains the teaching of Jesus and guides viewers to an understanding of his principles.

Dr. Smith tells what the "good news" was to the early Christians and what it meant to them. He discusses the qualities of life and joy which characterized the early Christians and explains incarnation, atonement and the Trinity.

Dr. Smith explains the sacramental system of the Catholic Church, discusses the role of the Pope and the Greek Orthodox Church and examines the idea of life after death.

This episode is a summary and conclusion of the course. Dr. Smith first briefly hits highlights of the major religions. Then he discusses some of the attitudinal changes that may have resulted from the course.