Religion

• What are people's beliefs about God and/or spirits?

• Is there a holy book-- what does it say?

• What are the stories that shape people's religious beliefs?

• Is there a set of holy teachings and how much do they affect followers?

• What are people's beliefs about god, the soul, life and death?

• Who are the significant people who have shaped the religious beliefs and practices?

• What prayers do people use?

• What holidays do they celebrate?

• What buildings/symbols are involved in the teaching and celebrating of their religious beliefs?

• How long have the particular religions existed in this place and how widely spread are the various faiths among the population? -What do people do to practice their religion?

• What are people's belief about the afterlife? How do those beliefs shape lives?

• What are the religious institutions and organizations like? Do any religious organizations have“leaders” and teachers, centers of learning, organizations for setting up “rules” for followers?

• Do there exist organized groups of teachers for the religion(s) and what are those people expected to do? What is the status and impact of these leaders?

• How do the beliefs and practices impact one's relationship to other people (both within the faith and with non-believers)?

• Are there rules to follow in the religion-- concerning prayer, diet, marriage, sexual behavior, non-violence, sacraments… How widely and strictly are these rules enforced and followed?

• How are religious beliefs passed down to future generations?

• How much is the religion strengthening or weakening in terms of numbers of followers and influence on society? -How are people’s lives and behavior of the place shaped by the religious beliefs of people there?

• Is there religious diversity and tolerance there? (Tie to political: does the government influence the people’s religious belief?)

•Definition of Religion

•Definition II