A Selection of Previous Work

This is some of the work we did or questions we thought about in Term 1.

What do you make of people's conversion experiences?

They are not necessarily one event, and usually a series of events. These events are almost always unique to each person. Conversion is most often a gradual transition toward the chosen belief system, however they could also be a 'blinding light' experience; it is different for everyone. Traumatic events might lead conversion (conversion is common in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder patients) however traumatic events might also lead to a leaving of religion.

What do you make of the human need for spirituality?

This is an extract from my WISE project from last year... one section of my report was on this topic.

"It has been suggested that religion began as people started to believe that areas of their lives were controlled by supernatural powers that wished to be pleased. This can be seen in many polytheistic religions. Many began to follow a religion to please the gods of various aspects of life (such as the god of the River, Land, Life or Death) so that they would have a greater chance of survival. Perpetual suspense between life and death, want and plenty, the known and the unknown was and is one reason why people choose to follow a religion, so as to be able to explain these ebbs and flows.

Questions of greater truth, and wonder about the origins and wonders of the world appear to be the origin of some monotheistic religions, leading to another reason why people follow religions. As they try to find answers to the ultimate questions of human existence about the meaning and ultimate goal of life, some choose a religion to satisfy their curiosity. Religions could be followed to attempt to answer some of the great questions of human existence, such as: Is there a supreme being, Who am I, Why is there evil, pain and suffering, Is there life after death?

Some might follow religions to help them through life’s obstacles, to give them guidance on how to live and to help them overcome the limitations of human existence. Others may say that their religion explains the world and makes it more real to them. Individuals might choose to follow a religion because it makes their life more meaningful, relaxed or justified. Any or all of these reasons could be given as an answer to ‘why do you follow a religion?’ "

What is distinctive about Christianity?

The presence of grace is the most distinctive characteristic of Christianity. The fact that there is a fee offer of a relationship because of the sacrifice of Jesus.

What issues do you have with Christianity?

These are the issues I have Christianity: the implication of Genocide in the bible (Noah's Ark, Passover), picking certain bits from the bible to believe, while disregarding others (although almost all religions do this to some extent) and the horrible things carried out in the name of Christianity (such as the Crusades).

Does God care about suffering?

God does care about our suffering, because otherwise Jesus wouldn't have been sent to Earth with the ability to heal physical suffering (the lepers, the blind man) and relieve internal suffering (by giving us a way to be forgiven for our sins).