Topic: The Roman Catholic View on Contraception and Abortion
Interviewees/ Contacts- Parish Staff 202.785.0982
Place of Worship/Name of Religious Organization: St. Stephen-Martyr Church
1. What is the Roman Catholic Church’s position on the use of contraception?
2. According to the Catholic Church, “the natural law/ purpose of sex is procreation”. What if a couple cannot support a child financially, emotionally, physically after marriage? Are they supposed to practice abstinence?
3. Why were these policies ever adopted? When did they become popular?
4. Are there laws found in scripture that prevents couples from using contraception?
5. How does the Church view a parishioner who uses contraception and/or received an abortion yet still considers themselves an active Catholic?
6. The Catholic Church takes a stance against abortion because they see it as an act of murder. If carrying out with the pregnancy has the potential to cause harm for the mother does the church change its stance? Is that to say they value the life of the unborn child more than that of the mother?
7. Do you think that the Catholic Church’s position on these two topics will ever change?
8. Does the Catholic Church recognize that the world is overpopulated or that some people are unfit to be parents?
9. How would a sect of the Roman Catholic religion go about changing the abortion and/or contraception policies?
10. In your opinion, how many practicing Catholic’s actually follow the policies that say: no pre-marital sex, no contraception, no abortion?
Topic: Ramadan in Islam
ReplyDeleteInterview options: MCS (Muslim Community School)
1. What would you say is the main purpose of Ramadan for Muslims?
2. Would you say that to really consider yourself a Muslim that you must celebrate Ramadan by feasting?
3. Why can you not drink water during the times of feasting?
4. Are there any ways that one can be exempt from participating in not eating or drinking from sunrise to sunset?
5. Can you explain exactly why the rules of Ramadan are the way they are? For example why can you not eat or drink from sunrise to sunset?
6. Is the participation in Ramadan mentioned in the Quran?
7. Would you say that Ramadan is one of the most important religious experiences for a Muslim?
8. At what age is it appropriate for a person to begin participating in Ramadan?
9. Do all Muslims particpate in it?
10. Is it as necessary as praying five times a day?
Topic: Catholic Church’s Views on Population Control
ReplyDeleteInterviewees: Parish Staff of St. Stephen-Martyr Church and Maryann Harlor
Place of Worship/Organization: St. Stephen-Martyr Church
(Questions for Priest)
1. What are the official Roman Catholic views on abortion and contraceptive use?
2. How were these views developed? Is there any scriptural text that supports these views?
3. Have these views ever been changed? If so what caused the change?
4. Are there any circumstances under which the Roman Catholic Church would approve an abortion?
5. If a married couple cannot financially or emotionally support a child, would they be allowed to use contraceptive devices or would they be expected to practice abstinence until they were fit to be parents?
6. Recently, the 7th billion person was born on the planet. Does the Church see overpopulation as a problem?
7. If the Church does recognize overpopulation as a threat to our environment, how do they justify the views they have on population control?
(Questions for Practitioner)
1. Are you aware of the Roman Catholic Church’s view on abortion and contraceptive use?
2. Do your personal views match those of the Church? How are they similar/different?
3. Are you aware of any scriptural evidence that would support your views?
4. Are there any circumstances under which your views would change?
5. Do you recognize overpopulation as a major problem?
6. How do you feel the Church justifies its views on abortion and contraception when overpopulation is a growing problem?
Religion: Anglican
ReplyDeleteTopic: Euthanasia
Place of Worship/Congregation: Church of the Ascension and St. Agnes
Interview Subjects:
• The Rev. Lane John Davenport - Rector
• Ms. Susan Hawfield - Senior Warden
• Parishioner
1. Is euthanasia ethical or unethical? Moral, amoral, or immoral?
2. What are the moral and ethical implications of euthanasia?
3. What are the religious implications of euthanasia?
4. How does the Anglican portrayal of life affect the Church’s view on euthanasia?
5. What is the general Anglican view on euthanasia? What is the origin of this view?
6. Why should euthanasia be legal or illegal?
7. Should euthanasia be considered a form of suicide?
8. Are there any religious texts that condemn euthanasia/suicide?
9. Does the voluntary denial of treatment that results in death qualify as euthanasia?
10. How should we deal with euthanasia when family or friends must decide for a person incapable of communicating themselves? i.e. comatose, brain damaged, etc.
11. If a person claims their suffering is greater than their ability to bear it, do they have the right to ask for an end to that suffering?
12. Does the “Right to Life” also imbue equal rights to death?
13. Are there any arguments that give merit to euthanasia?
14. What type of council would you give someone considering euthanasia?
Religion: Islam
ReplyDeleteSect: Ahmadiyyat
Name of interviewees: Mehdi Sahib (member of clergy) and Tazeen Ahmed (lay member)
Place of Worship: Bait-ur-Rehman Mosque in Maryland
Topic: The lens is not yet clear, I am still narrowing down as I learn more about the religion so interview questions are broad right now
1. What is the ecotheology of Ahmadiyyat? And their take on preserving the environment?
2. Do you believe in incorporating natural elements when worshipping such as fire, water, etc.? If so, what to they stand for? If not, why not?
3. What is Ahmadiyyats take on evolution? Do you support it or not? What is the reasoning behind that?
4. Have Ahmadis made any significant contribution to preserving the environment such as starting up organizations or charity projects?
5. Does the Quran say anything about preserving the environment?
6. How does your view on the environment differ from other sects of Islam?
7. The environmental crisis is a big term. What do you specifically regard as an issue in the environment right now that needs to be handled? How does Ahmadiyyat address this issue?
8. Does Ahmadiyyat believe in anthropomorphism or does it put all of god’s creatures on the same putting? (nature, animals, etc)
9. Out of the 99 names of god, what are the ones that refer to nature?
10. Does Ahmadiyyat believe in stewardship – that humans should take care of the world?
11. What aspects of Ahmadiyyat reflect their view on the environment?
12. If Ahmadiyyat has a strong take on their view of how the environment should be treated, does it agree with deep ecology?
Posted by Helen Gaynor
ReplyDelete(Possible) Topic: Southern Baptist Convention's current view on Moral Majority
1. What is the current view in your Church on the Moral Majority?
2. How is Jerry Falwell remembered?
3. Do the goals of the Moral Majority remain important to your religious teachings?
4. Does the average sermon involve the discussion of the goals of the moral majority?
5. Have there ever been any attempts to revive the moral majority and recreate the group and the goals?
(Possible) Topic: Homosexuality in Catholicism
1. What is the typical view of homosexuality within the Catholic Church?
2. I understand that the Bible says homosexuality is wrong, but the bible also says a lot of other things. For example, in Deuteronomy 22:11 the bible states that "You shall not wear cloth of wool and linen woven together". Is that something all Catholics follow?
3. Many argue that the bible should not be taken literally, but as a guide. How are different biblical laws chosen to follow or disregard?
4. How would a gay couple getting married affect the members of the Church?
5. Are politics relevant in your religious teachings?
Posted by Helen Gaynor
ReplyDeleteSouthern Baptist Convention
The Ethics and Religious Liberation Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention
Richard Land
Catholicism
Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception (CUA)
202-526-8300 (MANY priests, call number to set up interview with one)
Religion: Jainism
ReplyDeleteName of religious org: Jain Society of Metropolitan Washington
Lens: Still not clear. Either Jainism and santhara (a form of death by fasting to serve as euthanasia and soul purification), aparigraha (nonpossesiveness), ahimsa
(nonviolence, vegetarianism)
Possible Interview Questions:
1. What rituals in Jainism do you personally practice to purify the body or spirit?
2. What are your views on santhara/sallekhana and could you explain the significance behind it?
Do you think it is contradictory or immoral to end one’s life and yet practice ahimsa (nonviolence)?
3. What aspects of Jainism reflect Jains’ view of the environment?
4. How do Jainism’s sacred texts reflect upon the environment?
5. (After explaining a bit about anthropocentrism and deep ecology)…Would you say that Jainism holds an anthropocentric or deep ecology stance towards the environment?
6. Does sallekhana bring one closer to achieving the ultimate happiness? How does Jainism view death or a single individual’s role in the universe?
7. Would you say Jainism comes to disagreement to modern medicine in terms of recent research applauding the benefits of honey, probiotics, sprouted foods, or even prescription drugs?
8. How can we strive for aparigraha today in our modern, materialistic culture?
Religion: Jehovah’s Witness
ReplyDeleteTopic: Jehovah’s Witnesses’ Notion of the “time of the end”
Place of Worship: Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses
5113 14th St. Northwest, Washington DC 20011
Interviewees: Congregational Elders and Ministerial Servants
1.Does the Jehovah’s Witness community at large believe we are nearing the “end times”?
2.Do you personally believe we are living in the “end times”? Why or why not?
3.Does the Jehovah’s Witness Bible mention what the end is supposed to look like? If so, can you describe it?
4.Is this description strictly meant to be taken literally or is there room to interpret this metaphorically?
5.Will there be a destruction of the earth?
6.Can humans affect the earth’s fate?
7.Since the “time of the end” marks the beginning of the New Kingdom, should we fear the end or look forward to it?
8.Is all of the Jehovah’s Witnesses’ knowledge about the end based strictly on Scripture or are there certain traditions, for instance, that add to this notion?
9.In what ways are the fates of humans and the earth similar?
10.How are they different?
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
ReplyDeleteTopic: Prejudice and Bias
Location: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
2520 L St NW, Washington, DC 20037-1617
448-3333
1. What are a few of the main statutes that separate Mormons from Christianity?
2. How has the Mormon view on polygamy changed over time?
3. What are some of misconceptions that you have encountered from people not of the Mormon faith?
4. How does the Church guide its people in the category of politics? Does the Church choose to get involved or typically leave it to a person’s own personal decisions?
5. Do you feel that Mitt Romney is an appropriate representative of the Mormon religion?
6. Are Mormons more inclined, or even guided to, vote for a Mormon politician? Or for a politician who aligns more with their beliefs?
7. In June, polls indicated that only 45% of voters have a “favorable opinion of the Mormon religion.” Do you feel that the election of Mitt Romney as president will help raise those numbers?
8. Are there any religious texts that guide Mormons in regards to leaders and politics?
9. Outside of politics, where have you experienced prejudice due to religion?
Church of Scientology
ReplyDeletehttp://www.scientology-washingtondc.org/
1) What is the primary objective in scientology?
2) What is the religion's take on medicinal use?
3) How do theetan levels work?
4) What is the story of creation in Scientology?
5) Does scientology have an opinion on our environment?
6) What are the advantages of auditing?
7) What drove you to scientology?
8) What types of ceremonies are performed?
9) How is L. Ron Hubbard seen in the religion?
10) What is the most important thing you have learned as a Scientolagist?
Topic: Capitalism's Impact on Food
ReplyDeleteReligion: Capitalism
Interviewees: Occupy DC protesters/banker, day trader, lawyer
1.What does capitalism mean for you?
2.How do you feel about capitalism’s impact on the food/agriculture industry?
3.Do you think the government should regulate food more carefully?
4.How do you feel about high fructose corn syrup?
5.How do you feel about the fact that the government endorses high fructose corn syrup as an alternative for sugar?
6.How do you feel about the fact that the government subsidizes the corn industry with 45 billion dollars a year as opposed to produce and other vegetables?
7.Do you think we have a health crises relating to food in this country?
8.What do you think should be done to fix this?
9.Do you think capitalism is inherently flawed to “destroy” it’s environment as other anthropocentric religions are?
10. Any other thoughts?
Place of Worship: St. Stephen-Martyr Church
ReplyDeleteTopic: Feminism and the Catholic Church
Interview questions:
1. How does the Catholic Church view feminism?
2. Due to the way that our world is actively changing, do you ever feel that the church will ever allow women to join the priesthood? Why or why not?
3. If a women wants to take part in Holy Orders, how can she do so? Does this mean that theologically women are inferior to men?
4. What is the exact reasoning behind allowing strictly men to join the priesthood?
5. Shifting to contraception, why does the Church remain so firmly against it? Some argue that God gave us tools to create medicines and similar things, which are acceptable to use; however, we are "playing God" by allowing people to remain for long periods of time on life support. How are these two different?
6. Many, when discussing abortion, bring up the scenario of a woman who is raped. Does this make women powerless?
7. Is there any way that a form of contraception can ever possibly be acceptable by the Church?
8. What do you think of this quote by Hans Urs von Bathasar: "if man is the word that calls out, woman is the answer that comes to him at last"?
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
ReplyDeleteResearch Topic: Missions
Names of Interviewees: Bishop Johnson or Church president or bishop
Place of Worship: Either the Seattle Washington Temple (2808 148th Avenue SE
Bellevue, Washington 98007-6453) or The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (2520 L St NW, Washington, DC 20037-1617)
List of Interview Questions:
1)How are people chosen to go on missions? Who can go on missions?
2)How are the locations chosen for where to go on missions? Is it on a need-base or areas that have not been exposed as well?
3)Is there a religious texts/evidence that has influenced missions to happen? Does it say somewhere that they are necessary?
4)How has prejudice influenced the way missions work or what happens once people are on them? Is there a more negative connotation associated with people spreading ideas of Mormonism?
5)How does the environment play into missions? For example where do the missionaries live, where do they get food?
6)After having gone on missions have you ever seen missionaries who are less committed to the faith or who end their mission early?
7)How does the Church help with the people going on missions? Does the Church environment provide financial/emotional support while someone is traveling?
8)How have missions changed over the last twenty years and how will they change in the future? Will they? Has there been a decrease in volunteers to go on them?
9)How does the connection between Utah, a state with a huge Mormon population, and other states work? Is there a disconnect between them because of the religious dominance/presence?
10)That are some major misconceptions people have about Mormonism and Mormons? How has popular culture affected those misconceptions?
11)
Religion: Daoism
ReplyDeleteTopic: the importance of natural symbols
Interviewees: practicing Daoists (one in Tokyo and one in southern rural Japan)
1. How were symbols chosen for certain traditions and practices?
2. How prominent are Daoist symbols around the region?
3. Some symbols, like the yin and yang represent harmony; how does this relate to the natural environment?
4. How can Daoism help with the destruction of the natural environment due to mass production and pollution?
5. Does Daoism play any role in the political atmosphere which ultimately affects environmental policies?
6. Are certain symbols more spiritually valuable than others?
7. What are the features of a Daoist temple? (What symbols are found in them?)
8. How does Daoism differ in China and Japan? Are any symbols different or the same?
9. What influence on symbols does Buddhism have on Daoism?
10. Are there minor variations of Daoism throughout Japan? If so, what differences are there?
11. Are there any sacred texts that articulate specific symbols for Daoists?
12. Are humans generally viewed as above, equal, or subordinate to nature?
Religion: Islam
ReplyDeleteLens: art
Place of Worship: The Islamic Center, 2551 mass ave wash dc
Interviewees: Brother Abbassie Koroma and members of GWU Muslim Student Association
Questions:
1. What piece of Islamic art would you say is the most influential?
2. Does you or your family participate in making or purchasing art, to include tapestries or carpets?
3. Are there any symbols that represent certain ideas or themes within Islamic culture?
4. Are there any colors that represent certain themes or ideas?
5. Why is Islamic art traditionally so detail oriented?
6. Is there a specific technique in producing certain types of art? For example, materials/tools?
7. Are there any roles for artwork during the religious practice?
8. Recently an exhibit opened up in New York with historical artwork, do you think the exposure to such artwork will establish a better relationship between eastern and western religions?
Topic: Jainism and Materialism in our society
ReplyDeletePlace of Worship and Interviewees: Members of the Gayatri Pariwar USA
Interview Questions:
1) How important is Aparigraha in Jainism? Can you be a Jain without holding this Mahavrata?
2)In your experience, has holding Aparigraha been increasingly difficult as new innovations have been created?
3)Do you feel as though you have a struggle holding Aparigraha day to day?
4)What techniques help to resist from being materialistic and possessive at times when it is an instinct?
5)Is Aparigraha something you can achieve at an old age?
6)Which do you consider the hardest Mahavrata to hold?
7)Does the materialism of our society bother or worry you?
8)Do you think materialism in our society has any affect on our view of the natural environment?
9)Is there any information on the dangers of not holding this Mahavrata in the sacred texts?
10)Do you feel as though you are satisfied with yourself in holding Aparigraha?
1. What caused you to choose Scientology as your religion? Did you convert to it or were you raised practicing it?
ReplyDelete2. How can a Scientologist achieve greater spiritual awareness?
3. What is “auditing”?
4. What is The Bridge to Total Freedom?
5. How does one progress to the different levels of The Bridge to Total Freedom?
6. Stephen Kent said that “In plain English, the purpose of Scientology ethics is to eliminate opponents then eliminate people's interests in things other than Scientology.” What is your take on this assumption?
7. What does scientology offer to people looking for meaning in life that no other belief system offers?
8. What do you think of the way Scientology is portrayed in the media?
9. Do you believe that humans have hidden abilities which can be unlocked?
10. Does it bother you that Scientology is treated as a business rather than a religion in some places?
Religion – Islam
ReplyDeleteSect – Sufism
Topic – Sufism & the natural world
Interviewees: Seyyed Hossein Nasr
Alif Gunnerson or Suleyman Naghmi
Questions:
1) What is the main purpose of Sufism?
2) How do Sufi’s relate to the natural world?
3) What is the Qur’an’s view/stand on the environment?
4) Is the ecological crisis also a spiritual crisis?
5) How do the practices of Sufis intertwine with the natural world?
6) How does the mystical aspect of Sufism relate to the natural world?
5) Does the Sufi standpoint on the environment agree or differ from other Muslim standpoints on the environment?
6) How does the Sufi practice of Dhikar, whirling, and music tie into the natural world?
7) Do Sufis view the environment as something that is for their own benefit or something that they must live in harmony with?
8) Some call Sufi’s the “eco-guardians”, why is that?
9) Are humans viewed as the greatest creation or are they equal to all other creations on earth?
10) How do Sufi’s believe the ecological crisis can be resolved?
Comments:
ReplyDeleteAshley Strahle:
I think this could be a really interesting topic. If you find that there is a lot of art in Islam, then an interesting question to ask would be, does it have any reflection of the environment?
Josh Strupp:
You're questions do not seem to give you information about any particular topic. You should get a little more specific on your topic so you can ask more specific questions.
The Baha'i Relgion
ReplyDelete(202) 291-5532
DC Baha’i center
Possible topic: How architecture reflects the religion's value of the environment
What would you say is the most important value of the Baha’i religion?
What are the most prominent aspects of Baha’i culture?
Do these aspects differ from the prominent characteristics of Baha’i religion/religious practices?
If you asked a devoted Baha’i to describe the word “equality” in terms of their religion, how would they respond? Would this definition apply only to humans?
How important would you say an surrounding environment is to a place of worship?
The most recent place of worship is being built in Chile, and there are other religious institutions in Australia, Israel, Germany, and more. How does the establishment of Baha’i institutions in a gamut of diverse nations reflect the cultural and religious values of the Baha’i?
How does the architecture of Baha’i environments (places of worship, gardens, shrines, etc.) interact with the practicing of rituals or other religious activities?
As the religion itself is the most recently established monotheistic religion, and most pieces of Baha’i architecture are recently created, what would you say are the main points of inspiration behind these environments, artistically and religiously?
Courtney Stoddard
ReplyDeleteReligion: Judaism
Lens: Still undecided but considering Jewish Holidays or Fastingr?
Place of Worship:
Sixth & I Historic Synagogue
Interview: Esther Safran Foer
Possible Interview Questions (Depending on What Lens I Choose):
1. How does celebrating holidays connect you back to scripture and the historic roots of Judaism?
2. What Jewish holiday is most significant to you? Why?
3. Where do the traditions of certain holidays come from?
4. How does fasting come into play in certain holidays?
5. What is the significance of fasting?
6. What does scripture say about fasting?
7. What are the rules/what is the process of fasting?
8. When do you fast?
9. What do you personally get from fasting?
10. How does fasting help you to connect with God?
Religion: Catholicism
ReplyDeleteLens: Cathedrals as a portrayal of heaven on Earth
Place of Worship: National Cathedral
Interview: The Right Rev. John Bryson Chane
1. What is the Catholic Church’s view on heaven?
2. How does your cathedral embody the Church’s belief?
3. What are the most beautiful attributes of a cathedral that you believe embody the understanding of “heaven of Earth”?
4. Do you believe that your congregation would be as large as it is if the cathedral was not this beautiful?
5. Why does the Catholic Church strive to produce beautiful cathedrals, as opposed to other religions such as Calvinism who produce worship spaces with little decoration?
6. How does the presence of a Cathedral benefit to the Catholic community in the surrounding area?
7. This cathedral was recently damaged by the Virginia earthquake, what will it take to restore the building to its former glory?
8. The era of building cathedrals has been over for about 200 years. Should people still be trying to raise money to build cathedrals within their neighborhoods?
9. Is cathedral building even possible within the economic situation the world is in right now?
10. What is the biggest problem your congregation is facing with raising funds to restore the church after the damage sustained through the earthquake?
Religion: Buddhism
ReplyDeleteLense/ Social issue: Animal Rights
Place of Worship: Vajrayogini Buddhist Center
Interview: Gen Kelsang Varahi
Possible Interview Questions:
1. Please talk broadly about the importance of vegetarianism in some schools of Buddhism.
2. Do Buddhist distinguish at all between different levels of moral responsibility/status of sentient beings? --> do humans have any higher moral/ethical responsibility than (or towards) animals than animals do towards humans?
3. If all sentient beings are to be seen as equal members of the world, does karma apply to animals (who cannot technically do good/bad acts) as well?
4. If so, can animals and all sentient beings reach Nirvana? Or is that a human-only pursuit?
5. Is the level of/potential to dukkha (suffering) the same for all sentient beings? And assuming that they cannot, does that mean that not all living beings are equal after all and that meat consumption can be justified?
6. Are there direct implications of the Noble Eightfold Path that frowns upon meat-consumption, factory farms/animal slaughter (rule of non-maleficience: kammanta, ajiva)?
6. Please elaborate on the Theravada vs. Mahayana view of vegetarianism/killing of animals.
7. While there is no single Buddhist scripture or text, is there any universal understanding/teaching among Buddhist schools that put strong emphasis on not killing animals, vegetarianism?
8. What do you/the Buddhist community believe humans role should be in the current extinction of many animal species?
9. What is Pratitya Samutpada and its implications on animals/humans moral status and responsbility toward each other?
10. Does vegetarianism bring one closer to Nirvana? To social justice?
Religion: Reformed Judaism
ReplyDeleteLens: Homosexuality in today's society
Place of Worship: Sixth and I Synagogue
Interviewee: Esther Safran Foer (Director), and a practitioner TBD
Interview Questions:
1) How does Judaism speak about marriage today? Is it just the religious partnership of two people or is more than that?
2) Does the Jewish religion afford married couples rights that it does not afford individuals (singles) in the temple? To rephrase, how does being married under the Jewish religion today differ than it did thousands of years ago? Are there certain attitudes toward unmarried men and women?
3) What is the canon today in Judaism on homosexuality? Is it accepted? Condemned? Ignored?
4) Does the Jewish temple currently allow or perform marriages between two men or two women? Does this question apply more toward individual temples or Rabbis?
5) What is your specific view on homosexuality, as it relates to Judaism?
6) Are there homosexual people in your congregation?
7) What does the Torah say about homosexuality? There is a lot of condemnation in the New Testament, but I'm curious about any mention of it the Torah.
8) If the Torah does condemn it, do you think considering the current political state of the nation, in which we as a country seem to be moving toward acceptance of gay and lesbian marriage rights, that homosexuals should be allowed to marry under national law?
9) Gay marriage has been legal in the District of Columbia for nearly two years now. Does this at all affect this temple? Your life?
10) If you had a close friend or relative who was gay and wished to be married under Jewish law, would you be accepting of that?
Posted by Greg Langstine:
ReplyDeleteReligion: Catholicism
Lens: Politics / Church & State
1. How does your religion effect your political views?
2. Do you believe the word "God" should be used when referring to politics?
3. Do you think the word "God" or anything else relating to religion should be included in government documents, pledge of allegiance, etc.?
4. Has having religious Presidents effected our country? Negatively or positively?
5. Have you ever felt conflicted by your religious, political, and moral beliefs?
6. Do you think Church & State should be separated? Do you think they are separated?
7. Is it even possible to remove religion from politics?
Religion: Episcolpalianism
ReplyDeleteLens/Social Issue:Transubstantiation and Discrimination
Place of Worship- St. Uriels Church
Sea Girt, New Jersey
Interview: Rev’d Fr. Russell A. Griffin, SSC
Rector
Possible Interview Question:
1. Aside from not serving under the Pope, what are the main differences between the Episcopal and Catholic Church.
2.What is the belief concerning Transubstantiation and Communion?
3. Is it blasphemous to recieve communion without first recieving the sacrements?
4. What is your stance on other religions?
5. Do they also have a place in heaven? even though they do not practice the Episcopal faith?
6. Is the Episcopal faith becoming more Catholic?
7. Explain the Nicene Creed, is that a confession of faith?
8. Can you explain the Eucharist, and also the process, and maybe how it differs from the way Catholics practice it.
My final paper will be on Jainism and the lens will be the practice of samayika (Jain meditation). I will be interviewing one of my best friends who is Jain and a priest at the Jain temple in Silver Spring area (Prabhu Kanti), and possibly the GW Ahimsa (nonviolence, Jain affiliated organization).
ReplyDeleteReligion: Islam
ReplyDeleteLens/Topic: Still undecided, but considering writing about Islamic architecture or the
conception of peace/violence in the eyes of Muslims
Place of worship: The Islamic Center of Washington DC (2551 Mass Ave NW)
Interviewees: Leader at the Islamic Center; head of Islamic group on GW; friends at GW
Questions:
1) What is the Islamic faith's view on heaven?
2) How do mosques relate to the faith's conception of heaven?
3) What can you tell me about minarets and their symbolic features?
4) Why do they call the faithful to prayer from atop of these structures?
5) What is the significance of the mandatory, holy hour of prayer?
6) Islam has been the subject of heated controversy over the years regarding terrorism and the like. As a faithful, how do you feel about the view people have towards your religion?
7) Do you feel like your religion is inherently peaceful, inherently violent, or somewhere in between?
8) What are you and your family's views on 9/11?
9) What can you tell be about radical Islam, and do you know anyone with these extreme beliefs?
10) How do you feel that the public could be educated on the difference between normal, mainstream Islam and radical Islam?
Religion: Buddhism
ReplyDeleteLens: something along the lines of how the 4 noble truths affect ones understanding of the environment and how the idea of ending ones cravings in order to end ones suffering relates to the environment.
Attend service at the Vajrayogini Buddhist Center 1803 CT Avenue NW
Interview one of the leaders of the services and one of the Buddhist followers at the center.
Questions:
What is your understanding of karma and how does the cycle of suffering and rebirth affect the individual?
In relation to the four noble truths that life is always suffering does this only apply to people or all life within nature/the environment?
Since suffering is caused by craving how does one end ones craving?
What does craving entail and how does your relationship to the environment relate to ones cravings?
What is your understanding of Enlightenment?
Where do you go once you have reached Enlightenment since your cycle of suffering and rebirth has ended?
What is your relationship to Buddha, what is your understanding of him and how do you view him?
How does meditation/yoga relate to the environment and enable you to reach enlightenment?
Religion: Buddhism
ReplyDeleteLens: Noble Truths and their relationship to the environment
Place of Worship: Vajrayogini Buddhist Center- 1803 Connecticut Avenue NW
Interview Questions:
1. How do the four noble truths reflect in your daily interactions with the natural world?
2. Do you feel like nirvana can be achieved in following a path guided by the noble truths?
3. How does an enlightened Buddhist see the environment?
4. What are typical Buddhist thoughts on the theory of creation?
5. How do the noble truths reflect on a Buddhist’s environment ethics?
6. Are these views attained through one’s personal efforts or are they taught?
7. How have these truths affected the way you view the natural world?
8. Do you think that modern environmentalists have adopted some of the values described in the noble truths?
9. How is each noble truth relevant to preserving environment?
Name: Greg Langstine
ReplyDeleteFinal Topic: Catholicism, Eucharist, and Agriculture (exploring the environmental precautions taken by the Catholic Church in obtaining the bread, wine, and water for Eucharistic purposes. I will also touch upon the idea of "communion" and "communities")
Religion: Catholicism
Place of Worship: St. Stephen-Martyr Church
Interviewees: (Pastor) Msgr. Paul J Langsfeld. I might also have to speak to other members of position at the church if more information is needed in terms of origin of bread, wine and water. I would also like to interview Fr. Greg from the Newman Center, the GW Catholics HQ. In terms of practicing Catholics, I want to try to get some students, and even some Professors, but at the moment, I do not know exactly who. Eventually (when I go home for Thanksgiving), I'd like to interview my Priest, Father Tom Thorne.