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Running head: RELGIOUS EDUCATOR

Religious Educator

Michael J. Rowley

Salt Lake Community College

Bus-1010-411-sp18

4/20/2018

Penny Bivens
Running head: RELGIOUS EDUCATOR

Religious Educator

There are many ideas and means of living. Their Diversity has allowed us to grow into a culture

influenced by multiple ways of life. One of the strongest ideas that differs in many ways is

Religion. It’s important that people come to understand and learn the diversity found in peoples

understanding of the meaning and purpose to life through the many beliefs that exist

Job Description

The Role of a Religious Instructor is to teacher the Theology and Philosophy of Religion.

Depending on the Environment this is either done academically meant to inform or as a means of

furthering an individual’s knowledge of a religion. (Salt Lake Community College, 2018) (The

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 2018) You are also expected to administer Tests and

examinations to the students. (Salt Lake Community College, 2018) Provide lectures on

contemporary religious thought, as well as to facilitate discussions on the subject of religion.

(Onet, 2018)

General Career Path

Attend an Accredited University studying for a degree in religious Studies. (Salt Lake

Community College, 2018) Apply for the Job.

General Educational experience.

Depending on where you teach the expected education will vary. For some religions nothing is

required more specific then some form of Bachelor degree and to pass preservice training. (The

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 2018) Others will require certificates verifying that
Running head: RELGIOUS EDUCATOR

you are bale to teach about that specific religion. (Angeles, 2018) A minimum Requirement to

teach at an academic level is at least a Master’s degree in Religious studies from an accredited

University (Salt Lake Community College, 2018)

Average salary

The national Average Salary for a Religious Educator is $78,790. However, depending

on what level or area you are teaching Religion it varies. Universities, Colleges, and other similar

schools have an average of $79,610. Junior Colleges $74,550. And Religious Organizations

$50,420. For Utah the Average is $89.560 (United States Department of Labor, 2018)

Career Outlook

The Career appears to be a growing one expected to have at least 10% growth from 2016-2026

(Onet, 2018)

Biography

Wijitha Bandara was Born in Sri Lanka where he Grew up as a Buddhist Monk.

Eventually he decided he wanted to learn more about other cultures and to help to and share the

ideologies of non-western religions. He taught Intro to Buddhism and and Asian Classical

language classes at the School of AnuradhaPura in sri Lanks for 7 years. Then for 2 years taught

the Philosophy to Buddhism and Intro to Buddhism at Fo Kuang Shang Buddhirt College in

South Africa. he taught for two years ar Mary Washington Univerisity in Virgina. Two years At
Running head: RELGIOUS EDUCATOR

Utah state University. And has spent the last four years teaching at Salt Lake Community

College.

He enjoys teaching about his first-hand experience from his life as a Buddhist monk as

well as in his effort to research and learn more about religions. He also loves to have his students

become interested in learning about other people and their religions. He has loved the many

opportunities that he has had to travel throughout the world in experiencing firsthand the way of

living others follow. He says that thought he loves teaching he is less enthusiastic about the

faculty meetings that come with it. However, he does enjoy being able to attend the various

academic conferences. On asking what he would suggest to someone thinking of going into

religious education he said that its important to read the Primary sources of the religions as well

as to come to understand the historical background before and following the religions

establishment. He shares that its important to learn to think through an outside Perspective.

Pros and Cons

One Con and Pro to be a religious instructor for a specific religion as that you need to be an

active member of that faith. (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 2018) (Angeles,

2018) The advantage is you have direct knowledge and first-hand experience. The con however

is it limits your ability to find jobs if you are not actively following that faith. Another Pro is the

ability to learn about the diversity of cultures that exist. It is also a well-paying job if you are

able to enter into it. (United States Department of Labor, 2018)

My fit with this Career


Running head: RELGIOUS EDUCATOR

I enjoy learning about other cultures, so it would be fun to be able to constantly learn

about and help others to come to a greater understanding about the many cultures that exist. I

also enjoy teaching and would love to be able to teach students. If I were to go into seminary and

institute I would love sharing and discussing about my beliefs. But I also would love to come and

learn allot more about other beliefs.


Running head: RELGIOUS EDUCATOR

Sources

Angeles, A. o. (2018). Archdiose of Los Angeles. Retrieved from Archdiose of Los Angeles
Adminsitrative Handbook: http://handbook.la-archdiocese.org/chapter-4/section-4-
3/topic-4-3-11
Onet. (2018, Apr 17). Retrieved from Onet Online: https://www.onetonline.org/help/bright/25-
1126.00
Salt Lake Community College. (2018, Apr 20). slcc.edu. Retrieved from Salt Lake Community
College: https://jobs.slcc.edu/postings/37051
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. (2018, Apr 20). Retrieved from lds.org:
https://www.lds.org/si/seminary/about/seminary-careers
United States Department of Labor. (2018, Mar 30). United States Department of Labor.
Retrieved from Bureau of Labor Statistics:
https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes251126.htm#(2)

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