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Miguel (interviewed by Neil Lawrence) from Monchy, Saint Lucia
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- I’m Between 23 – 33
- My religious preference: No religious preference and I am interested in exploring but have not made any decisions yet
Mom’s: Catholic Christianity
Step dad’s: SDA
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- Growing up, I primarily lived with: Mom and step dad
- I attend religious services generally at least once every: Year
Question | Answer |
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If you could travel back in time to any period, and meet any person who is historically significant, who would you want to meet and why? |
John Compton, former Prime Minister of Saint Lucia. Why? Because he was a genuine leader who really cared for the Lucian people. Compton was very down to earth and himself loved to farm the land. He never had a body guard but mix freely with the people. Compton was also very effective implementing development on the island. |
Out of all the problems that we are facing in our world today, what do you consider is our biggest problem and how do you think we can solve this problem? |
Lack of unity is the world’s biggest problem. |
Do you think it is possible that you and I were put here on this earth for some kind of purpose? If so, what do you think that was? If not, why do you think so? |
Our purpose to be fruitful and multiply. When I pressed him on the issue of “purpose” he added, “to cause others to do better in life or to ‘save’ many people because of your actions.” |
We live in a world that tends to believe, now more than ever, that all religions are equal and no one religion is better than another. In your opinion does it matter what someone believes? If not, why not, if so, why so? |
His main objection was against hypocrisy. Overall he had a universal concept of doctrine toward spirituality with special understanding of Christianity. |
All religions have different beliefs about the afterlife but many seem to indicate that we go to a better place, if we do the right things in this life. What do you personally believe about the afterlife and what do you think we need to do in this life in order to get to this better place in the next life? |
Give your life to Christ and be honest. Honesty is key because the Creator knows all things. Miguel attends church only 1 time a year yet he seemed to understand the superficial parts of Christian spirituality. |
If you do not believe there is life after this life is over, where do you think we came from? |
He believes in life after this life, but he doesn’t know where we came from. He was not SURE if he would make it to heaven. He expressed the idea that this earth IS heaven. He didn’t understand the sacrificial system God used to wipe away our sins. In my post survey time I used numerous illustrations and scriptural explanations to explain these details to him. He was very receptive. |
If you do not believe there is life after this life is over, why is it difficult for us to avoid believing in non-material things like truth, love, beauty, goodness, etc…? |
N/A – he didn’t have difficulty with this issue. |
Brantt from West Lafayette, Indiana, United States
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- I’m Between 17 – 23
- My religious preference: Protestant Christianity
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- Growing up, I primarily lived with: Both mom and dad
- I attend religious services generally at least once every: Month
Question | Answer |
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If you could travel back in time to any period, and meet any person who is historically significant, who would you want to meet and why? |
I would want to meet Jesus to see for myself. I would want to see the miracles as reassurance that Christianity is true. I would also want to hear the wisdom of Jesus. |
Out of all the problems that we are facing in our world today, what do you consider is our biggest problem and how do you think we can solve this problem? |
The biggest problem is collectivism. By this I mean how divisive our culture is. I would encourage openmindedness. We need debate and discussion without emotions. |
Do you think it is possible that you and I were put here on this earth for some kind of purpose? If so, what do you think that was? If not, why do you think so? |
I do believe it is possible we are here for a purpose and I believe that purpose is to serve an overarching moral narrative which has been written by God. God is building a moral narrative, which includes tragedy in many ways, but He calls us to serve His good moral narrative. |
We live in a world that tends to believe, now more than ever, that all religions are equal and no one religion is better than another. In your opinion does it matter what someone believes? If not, why not, if so, why so? |
It matters and I’m rather passionate about this issue. I reject all subjectivity. I believe in objective truth. But when it comes to morality, I can engage in the moral discussion but I cannot claim to know the truth. There is truth, but I can’t claim to know it because I am limited in knowledge so who am I to know if my moral stance is the correct one? |
All religions have different beliefs about the afterlife but many seem to indicate that we go to a better place, if we do the right things in this life. What do you personally believe about the afterlife and what do you think we need to do in this life in order to get to this better place in the next life? |
I do believe in the afterlife. I believe we come back. I’m not sure when or in what form. I think we come back based on what Jesus did, not our good works. Our good works are done out of obedience to Jesus as Lord. Good works do not save. Jesus is divine and sinless. People who do not believe in Jesus will be separated from believers. |
If you do not believe there is life after this life is over, where do you think we came from? |
I believe in an afterlife. |
If you do not believe there is life after this life is over, why is it difficult for us to avoid believing in non-material things like truth, love, beauty, goodness, etc…? |
I do believe in the afterlife so I have no problem with these things. |
Bob from Indianapolis, Indiana, United States
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- I’m Between 23 – 33
- My religious preference: Atheism
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- Growing up, I primarily lived with: Both mom and dad
- I attend religious services generally at least once every: I do not attend
Question | Answer |
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If you could travel back in time to any period, and meet any person who is historically significant, who would you want to meet and why? |
Jesus. He would be the best at convincing me if Christianity is true. If it is true, it is the most important question. |
Out of all the problems that we are facing in our world today, what do you consider is our biggest problem and how do you think we can solve this problem? |
The biggest problem is bullying. A bully is someone who likes to make others suffer or enjoys watching others suffer. The challenge in fixing this is, bullies don’t see themselves as bullies. Therefore, we must help people see the ramifications of their actions. We must increase empathy instead of shaming. |
Do you think it is possible that you and I were put here on this earth for some kind of purpose? If so, what do you think that was? If not, why do you think so? |
I don’t believe we have a purpose and I start there as my default position because I don’t believe there is a God. Technically, I suppose I’m technically agnostic since I grant it is possible that God exists. But I call myself atheist since I don’t believe He does. This seems like the right starting point and I see no reason to move from it unless evidence can convince me otherwise. |
We live in a world that tends to believe, now more than ever, that all religions are equal and no one religion is better than another. In your opinion does it matter what someone believes? If not, why not, if so, why so? |
Yes, it does matter what we believe because the implicit prescriptions of various religions are different. |
All religions have different beliefs about the afterlife but many seem to indicate that we go to a better place, if we do the right things in this life. What do you personally believe about the afterlife and what do you think we need to do in this life in order to get to this better place in the next life? |
I’m agnostic about the afterlife yet somehow, I picture myself going to heaven because I tried to do the right thing. And trying is all we can do. |
If you do not believe there is life after this life is over, where do you think we came from? |
I guess I would say the evolutionary paradigm but, admittedly, consciousness is a real problem. |
If you do not believe there is life after this life is over, why is it difficult for us to avoid believing in non-material things like truth, love, beauty, goodness, etc…? |
I have no idea! The biological explanation is boring and speculative. |
Ane from Indianapolis, Indiana, United States
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- I’m Between 17 – 23
- My religious preference: Catholic Christianity
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- Growing up, I primarily lived with: Just mom
- I attend religious services generally at least once every: I do not attend
Question | Answer |
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If you could travel back in time to any period, and meet any person who is historically significant, who would you want to meet and why? |
Any painter or philosopher from the Roman period because I love art and culture. I can’t even choose one person, but Roman painters and philosophers have had a big impact on art and culture so any one of them. |
Out of all the problems that we are facing in our world today, what do you consider is our biggest problem and how do you think we can solve this problem? |
The biggest problem is that people are too jaded. In order to solve this, we need more kindness. We need to express love by giving people the benefit of the doubt. How exactly we implement this change, I’m not sure. |
Do you think it is possible that you and I were put here on this earth for some kind of purpose? If so, what do you think that was? If not, why do you think so? |
I want to believe there is a purpose, but it is hard for me to believe because of all the evil and suffering in the world. That said, I see religions offering love, and that could indicate purpose. |
We live in a world that tends to believe, now more than ever, that all religions are equal and no one religion is better than another. In your opinion does it matter what someone believes? If not, why not, if so, why so? |
It does matter what someone believes. There is something meaningful about people who follow their heart. But people can follow their heart in a good or bad way. |
All religions have different beliefs about the afterlife but many seem to indicate that we go to a better place, if we do the right things in this life. What do you personally believe about the afterlife and what do you think we need to do in this life in order to get to this better place in the next life? |
I’m agnostic about the existence of an afterlife. If there is an afterlife, it is probably a place free of suffering. If there is a heaven, I imagine it exists to help us learn from our mistakes. But we may only have so many strikes. If we strike out, we have to pay. |
If you do not believe there is life after this life is over, where do you think we came from? |
Maybe we just came from the earth. |
If you do not believe there is life after this life is over, why is it difficult for us to avoid believing in non-material things like truth, love, beauty, goodness, etc…? |
It is difficult to avoid them because it feels good to believe in them. I like it more. What I like influences what I believe or embrace. |
Peter from unknown, India
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- I’m Between 23 – 33
- My religious preference: Catholic Christianity
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- Growing up, I primarily lived with: Did not live with parents
- I attend religious services generally at least once every: Week
Question | Answer |
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If you could travel back in time to any period, and meet any person who is historically significant, who would you want to meet and why? |
There are many but I choose St Augustine. Reason? He is a model of repentance and many things to learn from him. |
Out of all the problems that we are facing in our world today, what do you consider is our biggest problem and how do you think we can solve this problem? |
The problem world is facing today is the result of growth in human inventions, diverse cultures, technology growth and so on which might sound growth in terms of human world but this is exactly what has taken people more and more away from God. The solution of this might sound very harsh but according to me the stubborn and wicked nature of humans will not lead them back to God, so in my view the same thing which is shown in the Old testament by GOD,THE FATHER must repeat and that is “DESTRUCTION” Yes, covid is such an example. When everything is fine people forget the existence of GOD so there need to be reminder towards humans by God and that’s a way to repent and get back. There is another soft way too. This involves the role of parents. every human being has a very huge impact of their childhood in their entire life. Parents must and should take care that instead of giving cartoon books, video games and moves into the hands of their children, it must be Bible and Church traditions and theology which is given to them and they must turn as a model for their children’s in spiritual life right from the childhood |
Do you think it is possible that you and I were put here on this earth for some kind of purpose? If so, what do you think that was? If not, why do you think so? |
Yes there is a purpose and the purpose is quite simple. There is only 1 final target of our lives and that is establishing the kingdom of God on this earth. Ways to do it might be different but this is the final target |
We live in a world that tends to believe, now more than ever, that all religions are equal and no one religion is better than another. In your opinion does it matter what someone believes? If not, why not, if so, why so? |
There is a moral saying that All GODS ARE ONE this is mostly used in India because it is the only country which has lot many religions and this sentence is used or this means to have a PEACEFUL SOCIETY without religious conflicts and riots. But if someone(Christian believer) takes this literally then firstly he is breaking the first commandment and secondly he/she is falling into a very major problem. |
All religions have different beliefs about the afterlife but many seem to indicate that we go to a better place, if we do the right things in this life. What do you personally believe about the afterlife and what do you think we need to do in this life in order to get to this better place in the next life? |
As a catholic, we believe (according to scriptures and early church) that WORKS play a part in the process of getting saved. Now this does not mean that we must do something in order to get this. It is a misunderstood theological aspect and many who are against this doctrine often misunderstand this to be like A HUMAN IS GOING TO DO SOMETHING AND BY THAT HE WILL BE SAVED. |
If you do not believe there is life after this life is over, where do you think we came from? |
I do believe there is |
If you do not believe there is life after this life is over, why is it difficult for us to avoid believing in non-material things like truth, love, beauty, goodness, etc…? |
I do believe in life after death |