Nowadays, religion is the fundamental part in our culture. The question is, where did it came from, and what is its nature? Experience can explain this idea, first by considering the Stone Age people. Their minds gathered empirical realities necessary for survival and they did the best they could in drawing conclusions about the world beyond them. They call themselves “the people” and thought that strangers are creatures of another sort, less human than they are. With no defined difference between spirit and materiality, they believed that in preserving a corpse helps to preserve the spirit of the one who had died. People correctly associated their own movement with their will and they believed that all movement is the product of will. They believed that the will is spirit and seeing the world as filled with many spirits or gods. It can be explained as a set of beliefs that are concerned in the nature, cause, and purpose of the universe. The appreciation of the rituals associated with many religious belief systems helps spiritual care – giving. Religion and spirituality are different, the rituals of religion is an avenue to the spiritual connection with oneself and God. Practices of rituals means an outwardly expression of an inner belief and to prepare our hewarts and minds to inwardly embrace the acceptance of divine intervention. Rituals are part of the society and remind us of who we are and whom we really belong. Religious symbols unite every member of a common faith and indicate to others the traditions they presented. Political and military leaders vanished in time or come and go, religious figure endure throughout the ages and millions of people worship them until the end.
Interview Questions:
- What do you think is the most fundamental aspect(s) of your religion?
- What do you want others to know about your religion?
- What do you think is the most unique aspect of your religion?
- What makes you a strong believer in your faith?
- What are some of your religious traditions, rituals? Which do you favour most?
- How does observing or performing these rituals affect your daily life?
- What are some of the symbols of your religion, and what do they symbolize?
- Does your religion provide a guide for your future path?
- Does your community of faith always stand behind you in a time of need? How?
- How does your faith handle societal issues such as premarital sex, intermarriage, teen pregnancy and divorce?
- What do you believe about deity/ies?
- Describe your feelings about your relationship with deity/ies?
- Do you have any type of scripture or literature that you read and follow? When were they written?
- Do you pray? If so, how do you pray?
- How does your religion react or provide understanding for violence in society (past and present)?
Interview Answers:
- I believe the fundamental aspect of Christianity is Christ Himself because of what He did on the cross and why he did it. Of course, Christianity would not exist in the first place without Christ Himself (John 3:16). Alternative answer is Faith because "faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." (Hebrews 1:11 NIV)
- What I want others to know about Christianity is that it's not a religion. It is an intimate relationship with the Lord. Pastor Mark Driscoll of Marshill Church Seattle describes religion as "a system of beliefs or a code of moral conduct that judges (qualifies or disqualifies) a person based on their adherence and obedience to certain codes, rules, laws, traditions, or the performance of required acts." Other religions are about man trying to reach up to God. Christianity is about God Himself reaching down to man.
"Religion is about what man has to DO to be right with God. Christianity is about what God has already DONE to provide us the opportunity to be right with Him. Religion says you must EARN your salvation by doing good deeds or certain acts and not doing evil. Christianity says all we need to do is BELIEVE that Christ has already paid the price for the evil we have done." -Ptr. Mark Driscoll
- The unique aspect of Christianity is God's grace & love. I cannot choose between the two because they go hand in hand. God Himself came down in the form of man and died in our place where in fact He need not do so. He is sovereign and powerful enough to eradicate the human race and start all over again but He did not, because of love and because of such love, He suffered and died so that we may live. It is a gift freely given which comes in the form of Grace, and such gift is not something that we have to work for it.
- I cannot say I am a strong believer. God Himself enables me. Every day I wrestle with doubt of God's love for me. However, everyday He faithfully reminds me of such love. Little things such as food set on the table, financial provisions for my education; even the sound of rain or a simple baby's laugh reminds His goodness and me of Him. That boosts my faith and it is all because of Him, not me.
- Christianity includes Sunday services, Bible studies, prayer meetings, prayer, or quiet time with the Lord.
What I favor the most is prayer because it builds my personal intimacy with Him. I would not go far as to call it a ritual because I just talk Him, that is all. No pressure, no expectations, you just come as you are Akin like talking to a close friend and that is what He wants after all, a relationship.
- They boost my faith. I learn more about Him and it comes not only with encouragement but also with discipline. They help me cope with my struggles knowing that He loves me and no matter what storms I go through, God is still in absolute control 24/7, 7 days a week.
- I cannot enumerate all but I will give three that are personally close to me. First, the Cross, it symbolizes God's love, sacrifice, and victory over sin and death. Second, the Dove, it is the emblem of the Holy Spirit; encourages, disciplines and guides us. In other, it also symbolizes peace and healing as enunciated in the story of Noah in Genesis. Third, the Bible, perhaps it is not really a symbol but for me, it is a "ketubah" which means that He has already paid our "bride price" (death on the cross). The Bible is God's love letter and an assurance or promise that He will be back for us.
- Not Christianity per se but God Himself through the Holy Spirit. In making decisions, especially major ones, prayer for guidance and discernment is vital. If He allows it and provides the means for it, then I follow. Although I admit that I have NOT been completely obedient in my walk with Him, I have been stubborn too with my wants. However, what we want is not always, what we need, and God gives us what we need Therefore, I need more maturity and discipline in that area.
- In fact, they do. It does not have to be in grand gestures, monetary or otherwise. A simple prayer and encouragement really goes a long way. In addition, having fellow Christians around me keeps me accountable in my walk with the Lord.
- Christianity does NOT support PMS, intermarriage, teen marriage and divorce as expressly enunciated in the Bible. To be blunt, indulging in such is a sin. After all, such acts are not how God modeled us, He should know because He made us. However, the Bible teaches us not to condemn those who indulge in them. Instead, reach out to them and share God's love & truth. That what God has in store for them is so much more and so much better than what they could ever hope. To speak truth in love even if it causes us persecution or causes people to laugh and make fun of us. For example, relihiyosa (too much religious), mulapas sa langit (reach far beyond heaven), or makasunog (person will be burned when touch you).
- I have always referred to "deities" as Greek gods and goddesses. Although a deity in some dictionaries is equivalent to god, I have never personally associated the word deity to Jesus Christ. Therefore, I would have to say I do not believe in deities. Although I do enjoy movies and books about them, but apart from that, I believe they are only fiction or products of men's creativity.
- As mentioned in the preceding number, I do not acknowledge their existence. My "relationship" with deities is limited to fictional movies and books so except for the occasional enjoyment, I guess the proper word to describe my feelings would be indifference.
- In relation to my faith, the Bible. Since it is a compilation of different books, it varies in the dates they were individually written. However, it has been around for about 3500 yrs, has countless publication, and revised all throughout the years. In addition, I also read theological books penned by C.S. Lewis, John Piper, Elisabeth Elliot, Max Lucado, etc.
- Yes, I do. As mentioned in number 5, I just talk to Him and the words just flow. When asked to pray in gatherings or before a meal, I just close my eyes and talk.
- I am not sure how to answer this. The first thing that just popped in my mind is the verse "Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing." (1 Peter 3:9 NIV)
However, personally, I would retaliate but only in the form of defense, against any aggression upon my person, family, friends, and/or property.
Analysis
According to religion, the problem for humans are the problem of thinking evil, it attempts to show the co-existence of evil like deity. The argument of evil includes the explanation of the creation and judgments of God are the same acts. The condemnation of evil is the expression of God has created the world. The judgment is unstoppable because of God’s power, will, and eternal judgment. Our suffering requires personal and spiritual growth and the ability of humans to understand deeply the reasons of God for permitting the existence of evil.
According to religion, the ideal state, goal, or ultimacy for individuals is to do the will of God; doing good deeds and faithful enough to enter into the joy of the Lord. In Christianity, for Christ to be the most important thing in your life, be joyful that you belong to Him in everything you do and everything that happens in your life, and be thankful for the giver of life and be joyful all the time.
According to religion, the methods or means by which this ideals is achieved is by experience. A religious experience is known as spiritual experience, a sacred experience, or mystical experience. All these experiences are considered a subjective experience that an individual encounters a union with divinity. Generally, religious experience brings understanding, partial or complete. It is experienced as a form of enlightenment, healing, or conversion.
I like everything the interviewee have said in all the questions given to her. All she said are true and seeing her is clear enough to say that she is happy and successful spiritually. I rather not compare my belief to her belief; it is my way of respect to her religious beliefs and mine. The most important truth is we believe whatever we believed is true with His will.
