GR: College, AP |
RT: 26 Min. Ea. |
Titles: 18 |
$150.00
DVD SERIES: $2,400.00
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This series takes an inviting and insightful look at the spiritual teachings, customs and daily lives of families of different faiths. Experiencing a vast array of traditions and social activities, it explores faith through the eyes of youth, their families and spiritual guides. Join host Tevya Heller on this cultural journey in his search for God. His lively, candid, unscripted interactions, mostly with young adults, look at religious belief and practice in a very personal and human way. He asks the questions; what do you believe, what practices do you follow and what does it mean to you?Religious studies instill unique cultural sensitivities among students. In our societies with an increasingly diverse religious makeup, it is critical to have an understanding of the major faiths in order to have a true understanding and acceptance of its people. As the National Council for the Social Studies puts it: “Knowledge about religions is not only characteristic of an educated person, but is also absolutely necessary for understanding and living in a world of diversity.”
Oh My GOD! is factual, fair-minded, and avoids any hint of subscribing to a particular belief-system. The balanced approach facilitates use within comparative/world religion studies. Educators teaching about religion, and avoiding any perceived conflict of espousing religion, can feel comfortable using Oh My GOD! in their curriculum.
Series includes the 16-page A Teacher's Guide to Religion in Public Schools.
Titles include:
What is Atheism?
Could the best kind of belief possibly be... no belief at all? As the program begins, host Tevya finds himself in a graveyard asking what death means when you do not believe in heaven and hell. Later he meets the president of Canada's Freethought Association, which stirs up a little controversy with its provocative ad slogan "There's probably no God. So stop worrying and enjoy life." Finally, he finds himself immersed in God.
What is Buddhism?
With more than 300 million followers worldwide, Buddhists follow a path towards enlightenment in what is as much a religion, as it is a way of life. A Buddhist Monk attempts to quiet host Tevya's mind, but first - a celebration. It's Buddha's birthday and Tevya is in for a food-fight while meeting "The Hungry Ghosts."
What is Catholicism?
Catholics are by far the largest sect of Christianity in the world, so from the Pope to the Confessional booth, Tevya learns what makes Catholicism such an enduring 2000 year-old faith.
What is Evangelical Christianity?
While many mainline Christian churches are in decline, Evangelical Christianity remains a powerful force in the 21st century. With 2.1 billion followers worldwide, this particular branch of faith must be doing something right. In this program, host Tevya enters the world of Evangelicals, meeting a local pastor whose weekly service is broadcast to five different locations and features a full rock band. He learns that it is all about giving back.
What is First Nations?
Host Tevya goes deep into the woods to explore the spiritual ways of North America's first Aboriginal people- the people of the First Nations. While he has seen headdresses, Pow-Wows, sweat lodges and teepees online, Tevya knows nothing about what First Nations people really believe or what their rituals are. After meeting two indigenous young adults, Tevya experiences this religion firsthand.
What is Hinduism?
Host Tevya begins his spiritual quest by investigating Hinduism, a faith with some 900 million followers worldwide. He attends the Durga Puja festival, an annual celebration for the Hindu goddess Durga with his teen guide Kritika. Tevya explores Little India searching for a present for a goddess and learns a little Kathak dancing along the way!
What is Islam?
Islam has 1.6 billion followers around the world - so perhaps it's where host Tevya will find the answers he's looking for. He starts out with a visit to the Taric Islamic Centre where he learns why it is important to cleanse himself before prayer, what Halal is, an introduction to the history of Muhammad and the devotion it takes to be a Muslim.
What is Judaism?
Continuing his quest for belief, host Tevya gets a fresh look at the history and traditions of the Hasidic Jews (a little different to the Judaism he was used to). Rabbi Kaplan and some new friends offer insight into the most important passage in a Jewish boy's life, the Bar Mitzvah, celebrate Purim and have dinner with the Rabbi's family. Can Rabbi Kaplan reveal the answer to a burning question - why can't Jews eat bacon?
What is Mennonite?
Trading in his city clothes and cell phone for a black hat and plain shirt, host Tevya goes off the grid into a world where technology is taboo and life is humble. Mennonites live without modern conveniences, drive horse and buggies and worship in their own devout yet simple ways. Can city-boy Tevya survive a cattle auction, farming by hand and a quilting circle?
What is Pentecostalism?
It is the fastest growing Christian church on earth and here The Holy Spirit truly flows. Host Tevya joins the boisterous celebration of worship at a Pentecostal Revival church where speaking in tongues, writhing on the floor and spiritual healing, are all part of the faith experience. He travels to Bible camp to learn how young Pentecostals really feel the spirit, get baptized and how they pray for Tevya's soul.
What is Rastafari?
Dreadlocks. Reggae and Bob Marley. Tevya meets a teenager who unlocks the truth behind the beliefs of the "Rasta".
What is Shintoism?
From learning the art of the Samurai warrior to taking part in an ancient tea ceremony, Tevya reveals the secrets of a faith that is as old as Japan itself, Shintoism.
What is Sikhism?
From turbans to ceremonial daggers (kirpans), the symbols and practices of Sikhism are revealed to host Tevya. At a birthday celebration for Guru Nanak, the 15th-century founder of the faith, Tevya learns how and why Sikhs pray, how they cook vegetarian for the masses, and why Sikhs consider warriors saintly. The fight for the poor is a holy calling as Tevya discovers.
What is Wicca?
Do real life witches ride broomsticks and cast magic spells? Host Tevya talks to plants, tries a love potion and befriends some teenage witches in the magical world of Wicca. But, when the high priestess, Greymoon, directs Tevya to take a ritualistic bath as part of a welcoming rite, our spiritual explorer finds himself a little outside his comfort zone.
What is Zoroastrianism?
2500 years ago Zoroastrianism was the world’s most powerful religion and a major influence on the development of Islam, Judaism and Christianity. Today it is one of the smallest, practiced in only a few tiny pockets around the planet. Host Tevya attends a sacrosanct New Years party and partakes in the sacred coming of age ceremony, Navjote, in the presence of the Zoroastrians most revered symbol - a fire that has been burning for 3,500 years.
What is Jerusalem - The Seeds of Christianity?
Tevya meets an Arab Christian high-school student from the West Bank and then walks in the steps of Jesus to find out why Jerusalem is considered such a sacred place to all Christians.
What is Jerusalem - The Seeds of Islam?
Tevya meets a young Islamic Palestinian and reveals why Jerusalem is considered such a sacred piece of religious real estate to all Muslims.
What is Jerusalem - The Seeds of Judaism?
Tevya meets a Jewish high-school film student and reveals why Jerusalem is considered the most sacred place on earth to all Jews.