Connections Quarterly Winter 2018 - World Religions | Page 23

T EAC H I NG AB O UT R ELI G I O N S A S D I V E RS I T Y E D U C ATI O N
“
ues, teachings, and practices of other re-
ligions, but at least I can better grasp that
my way of being in the world is merely one
among many others.
(I) give my students
tools... from religious
traditions that help
them gain awareness of
their thoughts and emo-
tions as well as conjure
a sense of peace when
they are feeling anxious,
angry, or depressed.
I try to be transparent with my students
about why I teach about world religions
and why I feel so passionate about doing
it. The most important thing I teach them,
above everything else, is that learning
about religions will help them, and all of us,
become more aware, informed, and ethi-
cally responsible citizens in a complex and
diverse world. l
”
Brian Thomas Blackmore, M.A. & S.T.M., teaches Quakerism, World Religions, Liberation Theology,
Peace and Social Justice Studies, and Religion and Sexuality at Westtown School. He is a teaching
world religions consultant for CSEE and a Ph.D. student at Temple University with research inter-
ests in best pedagogy for religious studies in secondary schools, gender and sexuality in the world
religions, and the history of Quakers and homosexuality. Brian is a self-identified “Jew-Bu Quaker,”
crossfit enthusiast, and amateur foodie with a penchant for world travel. He lives in a farmhouse
on Westtown’s campus in West Chester, PA.
Institute on Teaching World Religions
June 24-27, 2019 • New York, NY
www.csee.org/event/WR19
CSEE’s institute brings together university scholars and independent school teachers
for four days of in-depth study, discussion, resource sharing, and camaraderie. Join us
this year at The Choir School, just steps from Central Park. Please check our website
for information on featured speakers: csee.org/event/WR19.
CSEE Connections

Winter 2018
Page 21