Religion/Philosophy

While only annual members can attend our classes during the academic year, we invite non-members to register for our summer classes. This opportunity is in addition to special events and trips, which are open to all students year-round. Summer term is a great time to see what Lifelong Learning has to offer if you’re new to Spartanburg or to our program. Annual memberships will be available for purchase between August 1, 2025 and March 20. Benefits of an annual membership run through June 30.

Note: Annual members receive $10 off any class during the summer term. Special events are excluded from this offer.

TIP! To browse our classes, click on a specific category below to search by interest area. You can also search for classes using keywords, an instructor's name or time of day by clicking on the magnifying glass icon in the menu bar above or click here.

Christian Supremacy vs. Religious Freedom and Democracy
Course Fee: $31.00
Dates: 6/5/2025 - 6/26/2025
Times: 11:15 AM - 12:45 PM
Days: Th
Sessions: 4
Location: Central United Methodist Church Upper Room
Instructor: Chris Highland

An extreme aberration of the Christian faith is taking power in the government at all levels across the country. Driven by the myth that the United States was founded by Christians for Christians, they are demanding “biblically-based” legislation and publicly-funded religious education. Who are the leaders of this anti-democratic movement committed to replacing our secular democracy with authoritarian theocracy? What are their central beliefs? Why are they against the separation of church and state? How does Christian Supremacy threaten both Religious Liberty and our pluralistic Democracy? We will address each of these serious questions in lecture and discussion. Selected books, videos and websites will be suggested by the teacher.

Listening to the Sacred: Hearing the Call of your Authentic Self
Course Fee: $31.00
Dates: 6/3/2025 - 6/24/2025
Times: 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Days: Tu
Sessions: 4
Location: Central United Methodist Church Colosseum
Instructor: Kay Stricklin

Taking a clue from Christian theologian, Frederick Buechner who said: "Listen to your life. See it for the fathomless mystery that it is. In the boredom and pain of it, no less than in the excitement and gladness: touch, taste, smell your way to the holy and hidden heart of it, because in the last analysis all moments are key moments, and life itself is grace." We will identify all sorts of things that speak out to us. Birds, pets, music and traffic, beloved voices and troubling doubts. Listening carefully for deeper meaning, we will explore the sacred dimensions of our daily lives. Come with a curious heart and mind. Journals and writing and drawing materials are necessary. Nothing fancy. Just something you will enjoy using.

Puppetry Can Teach Morals and Entertain
Course Fee: $31.00
Dates: 6/2/2025 - 6/23/2025
Times: 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM
Days: M
Sessions: 4
Location: Central United Methodist Church Activities Room
Instructor: Diana Kershner, Steve Holt

Let's learn about puppetry! In this class, you will learn how to make puppets and will share ideas and stories about this fascinating subject. You will learn the art of ventriloquism--the creation of an audiovisual illusion, and you'll write a script for talking with your puppet. If you have a favorite puppet, bring it to class! The instructor is an experienced ventriloquist and will illustrate how he uses puppetry to teach morals in the community.

So Mark Told Matthew and Luke...
Course Fee: $31.00
Dates: 6/5/2025 - 6/26/2025
Times: 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM
Days: Th
Sessions: 4
Location: Central United Methodist Church Colosseum
Instructor: Rev. Thomas Steagald (he/him/his)

Students will have a chance to consider up to eight stories--including sayings, parables, and episodes in the life of Jesus--in light of "differences" in setting or detail as the first three gospels recount them. For example, The Beatitudes in Matthew and the Beatitudes in Luke, of which Mark remembers nothing of that teaching. Initial attention will be given to how the gospels developed (as near as we know) and how that might affect our interpretations of them. Each class will begin with some lecture, to set the stage, but most of our sessions will feature in-class reading and, for those who are interested, some "homework" for sharing.

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