My wife was recently invited into a very interesting opportunity to provide a witness to her Christian beliefs. As a teacher at a small public school in the area where we live, some students had approached her to be in a documentary that they were making concerning different views on religious questions. As part of their preparation, the student documentarians distributed a sample questionnaire to those who would be interviewed.
The questions, compiled by a trio of high school seniors, are quite probing, and show a deep level of inquiry into some of life’s most pressing questions. I thought it might be interesting to ask: “How would you answer?” to anyone who might be reading this post. My wife has agreed to post her answers and comments in a future follow-up posting here at Reformed Again!.
The sample questions follow, taken directly off of the question sheet that the students compiled:
- Are you religious? If not, that’s okay! Instead, talk about your personal beliefs/morals.
- Explain your beliefs briefly (could be non-religious). Tell us the “bones” of what you believe in.
- Do you frequent a specific place of worship? If so, what’s it like? Do you enjoy being there? Do you go by yourself or with other people? Would you feel comfortable going to another place of worship? Are visitors welcome?
- How impacting were role models (teachers, parents, etc.) and/or the media (books, television) to your beliefs?
- Do you follow any religious text?
- In your own words, why do you think people become religious?
- To you, what’s the meaning of life/the ultimate goal/the reason why we’re here?
- Do you believe in a divine figure? What’s s/he like? Does s/he interact with people?
- Do you believe in predestination (everything we do is fixed) and/or free will?
- Are we ALWAYS, SOMETIMES, or NEVER in control of our actions?
- Is “sin” real? If so, what’s considered sinful? What are the punishments for leading a sinful life?
- Is “evil” real? If so, were does it come from? How does it affect people?
- Is there an afterlife? If so, what’s it like? Do all people go to the same, or a different place?
- Do you believe people are ultimately good, ultimately evil, or dual-natured?
- Do you believe humans are superior to other animals? Why? How are we alike/different?
- Do you believe your way is the only way, the best way of thinking?
- How important is religious tolerance to you? Religious profiling? Are they issues in today’s world?
- Is it okay to disagree with someone spiritually? Hurt someone because of a religious disagreement? Wage war on an opposing religious group? (Consider the War in Israel.)
- Do your beliefs make you happy? Are you satisfied with where you are now, spiritually?
- What motivates you to live well? How does one live well?
- Do you have a personal mantra (quote, song, verse, etc.) For example, “Treat others the way you want to be treated” or “Harm none”.
As Christians, we should be assured that each of these questions can be readily answered from God’s Word, the Bible. However, it may be that these three students, and many others, surrounded by today’s popular naturalistic and post-modern philosophies, are not aware of the answers that the God of the Bible (and the God of all the universe) gives to humankind, through both general and specific means.
How would you respond? We’ll follow up in the upcoming weeks with our responses. Pray for my wife in answering these questions, and pray for those who listen to her answers. Pray for those around the world who so desperately need to hear the ultimate Truth, the Truth from God’s Holy Word.
…but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect…
(1 Peter 3:15 ESV)
