Initial Questions About Religion

Yesterday the students read about similarities across the major religions, including:

- the importance of sacred places

- the idea of praying to a deity

- having buildings that are set aside for gathering to worship

- having groups of people (often called monks and nuns) who devote their lives to the religion

Here are some thoughtful questions that arose from the reading:

Sam: What is the best/proper way to pray? How do people choose their way of praying?
 
         Sam's question inspired a related deep question from Chaney: What would you pray for and why?

In several religions, people use beads to help them concentrate while praying

Kate R.: Would a super elaborate church (or other place to worship) help or hurt/distract people from their religion?

Here's the interior of an elaborate church. I love Kate's question: do you think this kind of place would help people focus or cause them to be distracted?

Hunter: Why do Christian nuns think that wearing the robe will make them closer to God?

Carter K. and Chapin: What does it feel like to be a monk or nun? Is it easy or hard? Is it fun?

Juliet: Do monks and nuns feel like family, living together in their houses? [these houses have special names: monasteries, convents, and nunneries]