I have to interview someone who participates in a religion I know nothing about, any suggestions?

Question

I have to think of ten things I should ask during the intewrview I am stummped I do not have a clue who or what to choose, and then what to say.

Answer 1

Here are some suggestiongs:

What are your beliefs about dietys?
What distinguishes your religon from other religons?
How is the religon funded?
How does the religon recruit new members?
Does your religon ever get media spotlight? If so, why?
What do you believe about the afterlife?
What happens if someone resigns from the religon?
Does your religon excommuniate people? If so, what is involved?
How regularly does your religon meet for worship?
Does your religon set out guidelines as to what study material can be used? Are they flexible on these matters?



Religons that could be interesting - Jehovahs Witnesses, Mormons, Hindus, Baptists, Scientology, Buddhists

Answer 2

Well,I think that it depends on the type of interview. If it is meant to profile the personal beliefs of a person, then the first thing you need to do is to do some basic research. I would suggest the website www.religioustolerance.org, because it has great factual information. Once your research is complete, then think of questions asking why this person believes what they do, or how the religion makes sense, or even how they relate to God or Goddess or whomever they believe in. If it is a factual interview, I.e. What people of this religion believe, then think of what you believe and ask questions along those lines, like what form does God take for them. Good luck with the interview!

Answer 3

Try interviewing a Jehovah's Witness.
Ask:
1.) Why do you feel that God and Jesus are two separate people?
2.) Do you believe hell is a place of eternal torment? Why? or Why not?
3.) Why do you go door to door trying to tell people about God's Kingdom?
4.) What exactly do you think God's Kingdom is?
5.) Do you think Satan is real?
6.) Why is Jesus called the second Adam?
7.) Why don't you pass a collection plate at your meetings?
8.) Do your ministers get paid for giving talks?
9.) When do you think young people should be able to date?
10.) What happens after you die?
etc., etc., etc.
Hope that helps. If nothing else, go to a meeting or two. That should give you lots of questions to ask and they will really be your own. On April 2nd after sundown Jehovah's Witnesses celebrate the Memorial of Jesus' death. The meeting only lasts about 45 minutes and is open to the public. I am sure you could pick any Jehovah's Witness on this site and interview them if you want. Including me.

Answer 4

How interesting! Let me think if I can think of some good questions, from my perspective as a Christian: (1) what religion would you call yourself (2) what are the principles of your belief (3) how did you come to believe what you do (4) how does your faith affect your daily life (5) how do you "practice" your religion...what do you do that reflects how you believe (6) if someone asked you what or who is the center of your religion, what would you say (7) do you believe there are many ways to God or not. Well, that's seven at least, good luck!

Answer 5

I would start with the five w's: who, what, where, when, and why.

Who? The easiest way to do this is door-to-door in your neighborhood. Surely there is someone whose faith is unknown to you.
What? When you find a willing participant, ask them what it is about their faith that draws them to it. What makes it unique among the hundreds of religions in the nation...
Where? Ask them where they worship and how often they attend their place of worship.
When? Ask them when they became interested in their particular religion. Was it inherited from their family or was it something they came to understand on their own. At what point in their life did their faith really take charge...
Why? This may be a touchy subject, but ask them why they believe the way they do. Essentially, you need to accept the fact that their beliefs may be completely different from your own.

I hope that helps....Peace.

Answer 6

Well research the religious obviously... it really depends on what the interview is about. is it about the religion itself? if so then...

What are the main beliefs of people in the religion

Why were you drawn to this religion/how did you get into it

What are some common misconceptions about the religion

What is the history of the religion

and so on

Answer 7

You should see if questioning an atheist is allowed, and then I would suggest talking to one, it'll be a better learning experience to talk to someone who has the complete opposite beliefs than you do, over someone who has similar beliefs.

I misread the question, obviously the religion is already chosen, what religion are you going to be asking questions about?

Answer 8

You do not need to know anything about their religion, why not try thinking of ten things that you believe strongly in and ask them what their beliefs are on those things you believe strongly in, and try building some common ground.

Answer 9

That's probably why you should interview them in the first place.... Check out their religion on wikipedia it has really great articles on all of um.

Answer 10

Then you must not do the interview give this to someone whom is qualified to handle this!
tell me what is their religion and yours if you have one! may be then i can answer your question
but me answering your question you still are not fit to do this interview your not ready wise enought now prepared for this at all and you must face and give this task given to you away!
that shows leadership!