What I value most about the academic teaching of religion is the process of helping people to better appreciate the values  and possibilities found in  religions other than  their

own, giving people the intellectual and attitudinal tools needed to improve relationships with people of diverse cultures, encouraging people to explore religious world views in greater depth, and expanding their own personal horizons and understanding of religion and a deeper aspect of life. I tell my students that the most important thing they can learn in my classes is tolerance, respect and appreciation for beliefs and opinions that might differ from their own. I am excited about the subject I teach and I try to teach in such as way as to excite my students about it as well.