Site Visit

Please find a religious site in South Florida – and try to visit when a ritual is performed – and answer the following questions, preferably in essay format of at least 5-6 pages in length. Please visit a religion outside of the one in which you were raised, if you were raised in a religious environment.
 

Name the fundamental beliefs (important if you are visiting a sectarian group, and note differences in belief and practice from its parent group), and sources of authority or basis for the religion or sect (such as inspired scriptures, teachers, direct revelations, and the like). Specify both the religion and the sect or branch you have visited (e.g., Hindu temple [Shiva, Vishnu, Hare Krishna]; Synagogue [Orthodox, Reformed, Conservative]; Buddhist sect [Pure Land, Nichiren, Tibetan, Mahayana, Theravada], Islamic sect [Nation of Islam, Sunni, Shia], etc.).

Why is the religion represented in South Florida? Briefly narrate the story of the appearance of this religious group in South Florida. What is the history of the South Florida community?

*3. Describe, in as much detail as you see fit, the art, symbols, images, books, and cultic objects of the religious site. What do you see around you in the ritual space? How is the physical environment and its objects put to use?

Identify distinctive dress, articles of clothing, of members and/or clergy of the religion you witnessed during visit.

 
*5. Describe forms of ritual, worship/liturgy, special ceremonies, particular/distinctive practices that you saw practice during your visit.

List major religious festivals or sacred days celebrated at this site in South Florida.

*7. Describe how what you saw and heard impacted you. What did you feel in the religious site? How did the visit enhance your appreciation for that particular religious faith and/or for religion in general? Did you feel you were “worshipping” there? Did you feel comfortable or out of place? Did anything strike you in a negative way? What was the most positive result of your visit?
 
***8. For significant extra credit, you may interview a member of this religious community to learn more about their own spiritual path. A thoughtful, substantial interview can add up to five points to your overall course grade.
* Starred/boldfaced items should constitute the bulk of your report. Also, it is important that you make an effort to enter sympathetically into the religion you will be visiting. You do not have to agree with what you see and hear, but you should make an effort to understand it. After your visit and as you write your report, you will have the opportunity to express your opinion about what you witnessed.