Allright. So between going to school, working, moving, planning a wedding, and finding out I am pregnant again I completely spaced a major assignment for my World Religions course... that is due tomorrow evening and worth 25% of my grade. *gulp*
I was hoping that some of you would be willing to help me out. The assignment is to interview 3 people of different faiths. (they can be similar, like different types of Christians...) You can expand as much or as little as you want on the questions- long or short answers are fine. I would LOVE to get some answers from people who practice lesser-known religions, but at this point I will be grateful to get 3 different types of Christians.
If some of you happen to be (or have been) considered "religious leaders" (clergy, missionary, etc.) in your faith, could you please answer all of the following questions and PM them to me? I could consider this to be parenting related, because this degree will allow me to provide for my child. ;)
What is your name? (First name only is fine...)
What is your specific faith?
How long have you been a spiritual leader in this faith?
How did you come to be a spiritual leader?
Have you been a part of this faith all your life? (Why change faith?)
Why are you a part of this faith, instead of others (especially similar)?
What sets your religion apart from others?
What does the man on the street misunderstand about your religion/faith?
Which religion concerns you the most?
Thank you so much! You are all lifesavers. :) I have enough to finish my paper, and these answers are truly interesting to read. Personally, I am nontheistic, which means that I don't care enough to pick a religion/consider religion important in my life... However, I have always been extremely interested in learning about the beliefs of others. :) if anyone else wants to go ahead and post more, feel free. It's always good to learn about new things.
I just want to say kudos to you for finishing your education. I did all my school without a break, and I always thought it would be so difficult to go back after I started working. So good for you!
I would help you out but I'm not religious. Good luck!
I sent you a response via PM. Hope you got it and can use it!
Wow, I thought my answer would be the one that wouldn't count, but I would still take a shot at it. It turns out you have 2 responses that just say good luck.
So even though I don't entirely fit your criteria, I will take a shot at it.
What is your name? Susan
What is your specific faith? Roman Catholic
How long have you been a spiritual leader in this faith? I am not. I am a female and females cannot be Priests of the Catholic church. (Females can be teachers or nuns, however, I wouldn't be on MP if I were a Nun)
How did you come to be a spiritual leader?
Have you been a part of this faith all your life? No. I was raised Catholic, baptized Catholic, then my mother changed to non denominational Christian. Therefore, I changed religions. I didn't understand nor agree with the change. When I married, I coincidentally met a man who was Catholic as well, however, he was not a practicing Catholic either. We were married outside of the Catholic church, coincidentally by a Catholic Priest. We had a child and we put her in a parochial school. At the time, we were going to a non denominational Christian Church. Our daughter asked that we baptize her Catholic. We did and returned to the Catholic Church.
Why are you a part of this faith, instead of others? The Roman Catholic church is one of the Western churches. We read from the same bible as the Orthodox Church, Methodist Church, Lutheran, Methodist, and Protestant. I am certain we would not be steered in the wrong direction with many of the other Western or Eastern Churches. It is just what we know.
What sets your religion apart from others? Priests do not get married.
What does the man on the street misunderstand about your religion/faith? Prayer books are often mistaken as Gospel and I have heard people of other faiths say we do not read from the Holy Bible. (In this case, my mother who changed religions when I was a child)
Which religion concerns you the most? I don't concern myself with other religions. Many of them are believer's in God. There are good and bad people in all walks of life.
I hope this helps, even though I am not able to answer all of your questions.
