Relationship with Religion

[jhoke]

I am a senior in high school and currently taking a Sacred Texts and Philosophy class. For this class I am supposed to briefly interview members of different faiths. The point of this assignment is to see how different people define their relationship to religion. If you have the time I would greatly appreciate it if you could answer the following questions:

1.How long have you been practicing your faith?

2.What initially drew you to this particular faith?

3.How often do you participate in your faith’s meetings or services? To what extent do you participate?

4.Do you prefer to practice as a community or by yourself? Why?

5.Has your faith ever created problems for you? Are there any problems that stem solely from your faith?

6.How would you define your relationship to your faith? What do you receive from this relationship?

Thank you in advance for participating.

[ozzy]

1. All my life (23 years)

2. Initially, I was born in it.

3. At least 3 times a week, depending on the meetings. I participate as fully as possible when I am awake. :)

4. Both. The various commandments of the Lord require it. Besides, if I didn't practice it at all times whether in a group or not, then I could not rightfully say I was truly practicing it.

5. Only with relationship to individuals who have misunderstandings of my faith. It is very rare that an issue ever even comes up, and only once has it been a problem. And even then, it wasn't really a problem.

6. I would define my relationship as very good. I am quite happy where I am and do what I can to contribute. I receive the satisfaction of knowing that I am participating in God's established organization, and I receive the joy of knowing that when I have my family, I will be able to have that family forever.

[slamjet]

I'm not sure how seriously to take this post since:

- The username is joke (jhoke, what are we trying to convey here?)

- Only one post, no intro, no profile.

[Blackmarch]

I am a senior in high school and currently taking a Sacred Texts and Philosophy class. For this class I am supposed to briefly interview members of different faiths. The point of this assignment is to see how different people define their relationship to religion. If you have the time I would greatly appreciate it if you could answer the following questions:

1.How long have you been practicing your faith?

for just over 20 years now

2.What initially drew you to this particular faith?

feelings, impressions, inspirations, and answers it has that no other religion ccan as easily answer.

3.How often do you participate in your faith’s meetings or services? To what extent do you participate?

I try to go every week but in reality it's more of a 50%-75% attendance.

4.Do you prefer to practice as a community or by yourself? Why?

both because both are important. Some rites are set to be done with multiple people others you can do yourself.

5.Has your faith ever created problems for you? Are there any problems that stem solely from your faith?

no the problems i face are either because of my own actions (or lack thereof), or from someone else taking offense in what I believe and acting negatively.

6.How would you define your relationship to your faith? What do you receive from this relationship?

It's fairly good but I"m trying to make it better. WProbably the best thing i have recieved from this relationship is the knowledge that God exists, that Christ is our saviour, that Joseph smith is their servant, and that they want me in the LDS church.

Thank you in advance for participating.

no problem. Edited November 3, 2010 by Blackmarch

[Wingnut]

I'm not sure how seriously to take this post since:

- The username is joke (jhoke, what are we trying to convey here?)

First initial, last name?

- Only one post, no intro, no profile.

The intro is in the post, and there are lots of people on LDS.net without profiles. Hence the need for this thread: http://www.lds.net/forums/general-discussion/30104-accounts-no-profile.html

[pam]

I'm not sure how seriously to take this post since:

- The username is joke (jhoke, what are we trying to convey here?)

- Only one post, no intro, no profile.

Uhhhh this person does have a profile: jhoke’s Profile » LDS Mormon Network

Let's be nice.

[Guest Alana]

1.How long have you been practicing your faith?

Converted 19 years ago

2.What initially drew you to this particular faith?

Agreeing personally with what was taught. Thinking that it made sense and that finally I was finding others who agreed with how I'd always thought of God.

3.How often do you participate in your faith’s meetings or services? To what extent do you participate?

I attend services every Sunday. I teach a childrens Sunday school class each Sunday and visit assigned people in my congregation a few times a month.

4.Do you prefer to practice as a community or by yourself? Why?

I enjoy the Sunday meetings with the congregation because they bring unique experiences and thoughts to the table, there is something special about singing hymns together, also. Nonetheless, the most important aspects to me are usually individual. For instance, when taking sacrament on Sunday, I take off my glasses so I can't see anyone and only focus on myself and the Savior. As far as larger community, I live in an area with not many others of the same faith. I enjoy the different points of view and benefits that come from having to stand up for ones religion with no back up.

5.Has your faith ever created problems for you? Are there any problems that stem solely from your faith?

Most of my extended family are not of the same faith, but other than snide comments it hasn't affected much. In high school I've had teachers who were verbally against the LDS faith, but instead of a problem it was a chance for me to speak out to the class and correct misunderstandings. It was kind of scary though, it's a very personal thing and it's hard when someone insults something so important to you.

6.How would you define your relationship to your faith? What do you receive from this relationship?

I would say that my participation in the LDS faith strengthens my communications with God. It gives me higher standards than I might otherwise have held myself to, and I believe that by meeting those standards I have the companion of the Holy Ghost to guide, comfort and direct me. I wouldn't have that without my faith, even if I was leading a good life.

[Mute]

I am a senior in high school and currently taking a Sacred Texts and Philosophy class. For this class I am supposed to briefly interview members of different faiths. The point of this assignment is to see how different people define their relationship to religion. If you have the time I would greatly appreciate it if you could answer the following questions:

1.How long have you been practicing your faith?

2.What initially drew you to this particular faith?

3.How often do you participate in your faith’s meetings or services? To what extent do you participate?

4.Do you prefer to practice as a community or by yourself? Why?

5.Has your faith ever created problems for you? Are there any problems that stem solely from your faith?

6.How would you define your relationship to your faith? What do you receive from this relationship?

Thank you in advance for participating.

If I were you, I'd try to find a forum that consists of lots of faiths. That way you don't have to look for a forum for each faith. This board consists mainly of lds so that is really only going to help you with one faith. Then again, you could always just take the responses from here and pretend you got the answers from various faiths.

[slamjet]

Being nice... So overrated at times.