Summary

Summary of World Views about Ritual

Alan Murray — Wed, 20 May 2009 19:43:52 +0000

BIG QUESTIONS:

   Does praying do any good?
   Why do I need to go to church/ mosque every week?
   Why bother fasting? It’s bad for your health.
   You don’t need religion to license a birth or marriage.
   Aren’t all these festivals based on pagan festivals anyway?
   Do you need rituals to be spiritual?
   Does everybody celebrate?

Summary of World Views about Gender

Alan Murray — Wed, 20 May 2009 19:39:51 +0000

BIG QUESTIONS:

    There is no Gender for God?
   Does religion say men are superior to women?
   Why are all religions dominated by men?
   Can my priest be a woman?
   Can a transsexual go to heaven?
   What’s the difference - we’re all born equal?
   Why do men always hold onto power?
   Why can’t women be priests, imans or bishops or Jathedar?
   Is religion anti-women?

Summary of World Views about Social Action

Alan Murray — Wed, 20 May 2009 19:37:19 +0000

BIG QUESTIONS:

    They say love your neighbour but don’t I only need to look after myself?
   Who cares about the whales, Burma etc ?
   Can one person make a difference to the world?
   There are so many charity collectors wanting my money; how can I choose?
   Isn’t life all about earning money and everyone for themselves?
   Do we need religion now we’ve got social services?
   Is believing or having faith more important than doing?

Summary of World Views about Body

Alan Murray — Wed, 20 May 2009 19:25:17 +0000

BIG QUESTIONS:

   When does life begin?
   I hate/like my body? Is it ok to change my body?
   Is the body everything or is there a separate soul?
   Does religion say my body is sinful?
   Can we do what we want with our bodies?

Summary of World Views about Church

Alan Murray — Wed, 20 May 2009 18:11:28 +0000

BIG QUESTIONS:

    Aren’t churches, mosques, temples etc irrelevant to real life?
   Aren’t worship and prayer out of date in the modern world?
   Do I need to go to church/mosque to follow my faith?
   Is church a building or group of people?
   Is community feeling a good thing?

Summary of World Views about Love

Alan Murray — Wed, 20 May 2009 18:08:40 +0000

BIG QUESTIONS:

    What is Love?
   What does love mean in practice?
   Are there limits to love? Can you really love your enemy?
   Can any kinds of love be wrong?
   Why do we sometimes love and hate the same people?

Summary of World Views about Care of the Earth

Alan Murray — Wed, 20 May 2009 18:05:06 +0000

BIG QUESTIONS:

    Who is responsible? Am I?
   Who does the earth belong to?
   Is it ok to kill animals for meat or fur?
   Who should be responsible for tackling pollution?
   Doesn’t science have all the answers?

Summary of World Views about God

Alan Murray — Wed, 20 May 2009 17:55:48 +0000

BIG QUESTIONS:

Is there anyone up there?
Is God the right word to describe what I believe in?
Why doesn’t God intervene to stop all the pain?
Is God male or female?
Where is God – inside me, all around me?
Religion causes more trouble than it’s worth?
What is it all about?
Why do we need any idea of God?
Is God or are Gods male by nature: are there Goddesses too?

Summary of World Views about Judgement and Salvation

Alan Murray — Wed, 20 May 2009 17:53:04 +0000

BIG QUESTIONS:

Is there a hell?
Will I be judged when and by whom?
Will my actions in life be rewarded or punished?
Do I get another chance?
Why can’t we all accept that we are all a mixture of good and bad?
What happens when we die?
Does God tot up the good and the bad?
What does ‘being saved’ mean?
Is there a ‘heaven’ (or hell)?

Summary of World Views on Sexuality

Alan Murray — Wed, 20 May 2009 17:50:19 +0000

BIG QUESTIONS:

Can you have sex for fun?
Is our society obsessed with sex?
Is contraception right?
Is it ok to be gay?
Is sex outside marriage acceptable?
Why is sex difficult?
Why can’t we just enjoy sex with whoever we want?

Summary of Worlds Views about Freedom

Alan Murray — Wed, 20 May 2009 17:39:20 +0000

BIG QUESTIONS:

Why do I have to obey rules?
Am I free? Who’s in charge?
Who should I listen to?
Should I always obey the rules?
Why can’t I do what I want?
Am I free to be exactly what I want?
Why should I listen to old books telling me what to do?
Does freedom lead to happiness?

Summary of World Views about Death

Alan Murray — Wed, 20 May 2009 17:31:55 +0000

Death

BIG QUESTIONS:

What’s going to happen to me after I die?
Is death a bad thing?
Is death the end of me?
Should I be scared of dying?
Is it ok to end my life?
What’s it all about?
What happens to me when I die?
Is there a heaven?