Explain your strongest religious convictions.
I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and that He died for the sins of the world. Salvation is possible only through acceptance of His death and resurrection for your sins.
What if anything could make you question your beliefs?
I have questioned my beliefs before; I believe everyone with a desire for knowledge and deeper understanding does. But through my life experiences, nothing can now make me doubt my beliefs.
How do you feel about other religions? Do you think you are accepting?
I am accepting in that I accept people. Jesus accepted people just as they were, and so do I. Jesus loves people just as they are, and so do I. There is a difference between acceptance of people and acceptance of beliefs. Just because I accept, or "tolerate" people, does not mean I believe their religious convictions are right.
What do you say to people who you feel violate your moral code?
If they are friends of mine, and are hurting themselves or doing something to harm those around them, I will step in and say something. But I do not point my finger at everyone who is not a Christian and say they are wrong. People have every right to live their lives the way they so chose, and unless they are my friends, or what they are doing is blatantly destructive, it is no business of mine what decisions they are making.
Have you ever had a very religious, spiritual, or miraculous experience? If so, What?
God has shown Himself to me in many different ways. I've heard His voice through prayer and through talking with others, and I've seen Him move in my life and lives around me. His prescence is undeniable. When I was in the ICU after an intensive surgery, I started singing my favorite hymn. But when I reached a verse that I could never remember, I closed my eyes, and stopped breathing. As the nurse escorted my mother into the lobby, they tried to resuscitate me, and were successful. This is one example of the many reasons I know God has a plan for my life, and He is watching over me.
Friend #2
Explain your strongest religious convictions.
I believe that there isn't one absolute set of beliefs that someone must have to gain a state of grace, but that being a good person inside and out and being a contributer to the greater good is enough.
What if anything could make you question your beliefs?
A person of my own faith who twists religion into something cruel and unaccepting. Someone who exemplifies the dark parts of religion.
How do you feel about other religions? Do you think you are accepting?
I accept other religions because you own beliefs are not of utmost importance, only your actions and your goodness can truly define you. There are good... and bad people of all faiths.
What do you say to people who you feel violate your moral code?
Unless their moral code violates another person's will in some way, there is nothing that needs to be said.
Have you ever had a very religious, spiritual, or miraculous experience? If so, What?
Everyday. Learning more about the world only deepens my wonderment at it.
Friend number one is someone who is extremely vocal about her beliefs and she often upsets people in the way that she discusses it. She is loud and enthusiastic about most things. Friend number two is rather private about his views, he will be happy to share them with you if you ask, but usually won't otherwise. He loves to joke around and is extremely intelligent and knowledgeable. While they agree on many things they live their lives quite differently.
Reading their responses to my questions made me wonder how someone would perceive each of them just from these answers without having met them. Also how these beliefs affect the way that they view the world and treat others.
2 comments:
It seems obvious to me that friend number one is very vocal about her beliefs. Her answers seemed almost rehearsed, as if she says them often ( a sign on someone who is very vocal and likes to share their opinion). Friend number two definitely seems more contemplative and appears to have a “searching” and “accepting attitude” rather than a decided one. I think that through their answers, friend #1 would be less approachable in a religious discussion because there does not seem to be a willingness to discuss, but rather than to tell. However, I think that friend #2 would make an interesting person to discuss religion and religious values with because he seems more open to discussing, and more understanding.
I loved this blog, Katie! Because I know both of these people very well, I could instantaneously tell who each one was, and i think that their answers did truly reflect who they are in their everyday life. Now I love #1 with all my heart, but I feel forced to live around her faith, as opposed to in harmony with it. I think that instead of alienating people with it instead of welcoming, or well-representing her religion. #2 also has a cozy place in my heart, and most people dont even know that he is religious at all. His actions in his daily life, and his answers in your interview make me respect his opinion and therefor his religious choice. In name, they both have the same religion, but they are so different, I do not know that they are the same at all.
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