My religion is Christianity. The practices of Christianity find their basis in the teachings of Jesus Christ who is the Son of God (Bbc.co.uk, 2015). The instructions involve the conduct of good behavior, love and treating the neighbors well. Christianity consists of the Catholics and the Protestants who have their different ways of conducting the learning sessions. I am a Catholic. The main leader at the top is the Pope then followed by other bishops and priests. These leaders help in conducting Mass and other religious ceremonies in the church. The church sessions are always on Sunday, which is considered the resting day. The mass is customized with songs and various readings from the Bible, the Holy Book. It is one of the most popular religions in the world, and most of my neighborhood members are Christians. Despite that, the teachings of the Bible advocates for peaceful coexistence between the people irrespective of their religious or political backgrounds. Therefore, Christianity does not alienate its members from those of other religions but promote harmonious living and the welcoming of every individual into the Christian life.
I would like to compare the characteristics of Christianity and Hinduism. The first difference is on the founders. Jesus was the founder of Christianity while Hinduism does not have a sole founder (Kreeft, 2015). The second difference is in the teachings that are followed; Christianity follows the doctrines and teachings of Jesus to conduct its education while Hinduism has no such teachings (Bbc.co.uk, 2015). In Hinduism, a book like the Bible for Christians does not exist or the presences of predetermined teachings like those of Jesus. The other difference is on the ceremonies; there is a general distinction in the way Christians and Hindus conduct their rituals and ceremonies. The difference is on the methods, timing and the procedures for these rituals and ceremonies. Lastly, the practices and beliefs of Christianity and Hinduism are different in the setting of these practices such as the structure that they both use. Christians use churches to worship while Hindus Temples.
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Interactions with people from different religions are a crucial way of doing research in that particular religion one has the interest of learning. For the purpose of learning the alternate religion, one at some point should ensure they fit in the setting of that religion. If you want to have insights on particular aspects of that religion, then you should behave like them in a way to ensure compatibility. In my plans, I would incorporate the practices and procedures that identify that particular religion by ensuring that I follow their rules and regulations without failing. The program includes learning the required language, attire, and other behaviors as well as the timing of the rituals and ceremonies and the methods that are followed in such practices. Also, it is important to learn the teachings that are followed in the religion and the deity worshiped.
In executing the planned items, there is the need to create an environment that will enable smooth execution. One of the ways is the methods of collecting the information. It is important that the methods of information collection are formulated first before going to the real ground. One has to evaluate and differentiate which methods suit each type of the information needed. In in my case, I would use focus group discussion because it is reliable in interacting with many people at the same time and location. Also, focus groups have the ability to create networks and building friendships which in the long-run would ease the process of learning.
References
Bbc.co.uk. (2015). BBC - Religion: Christianity. Retrieved 28 June 2015, from http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/
Bbc.co.uk. (2015). BBC - Religions - Hinduism: At a Glance. Retrieved 28 June 2015, from http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/hinduism/ataglance/glance.shtml
Kreeft, P. (2015). Comparing Christianity & Hinduism by Peter Kreeft. Peterkreeft.com. Retrieved 28 June 2015
