Past Questions for Interfaith Issues

November 10, 2006

If some religious people believe they have a monopoly on truth, then are conversation and common ground possible? If so, what would be the difficulties and benefits of such a conversation?

November 27, 2006

Pope Benedict XVI is in Turkey this week. What did you think of his remarks about Islam at Regensburg, and do you think he, and the Christian church in general, can help Muslims take on their more violent and extreme elements?

December 13, 2006

Some politically conservative Christians say that America is "a Christian nation," and at this time of year, with the country saturated with Christmas imagery, it can seem that they are right. Are they? Is America a "Christian nation"? Should it be?

February 7, 2007

International scientists have raised a new alarm about the dangers of global warming. Should care for the environment be a major priority for people of faith? Why or why not?

February 21, 2007

Can you be critical of Israel and not be anti-Semitic? Can you be critical of Israel and be a faithful Jew?

February 28, 2007

What does your faith lead you to believe about gay unions and gay clergy? Could you ever change your mind?

March 7, 2007

Should teaching about religion be mandatory in public schools? In colleges and universities?

March 14, 2007

Does discrimination against Catholics still exist in this country today? If so, why? How have you experienced discrimination because of your religious beliefs or lack of religious beliefs?

March 27, 2007

Do you believe the world will come to an end? If so, where, when and what will it look like?

March 28, 2007

Does the mass media, especially television, treat religion fairly in news and entertainment programs? Explain.

April 4, 2007

If the remains of Jesus had been definitively found, how would that change your view of Christianity?

April 11, 2007

Can a Christian, Muslim or Jew embrace eastern spiritual practices -- yoga or Buddhist meditation, for example -- and remain true to the laws of the God of Abraham?

April 19, 2007

Do you think Islam is a violent religion?

May 2, 2007

After 175 years of existence, is Mormonism entering the mainstream of American religious life or are people still suspicious of it?

September 11, 2007

On the anniversary of 9/11, what message would you like to send religious extremists?

October 17, 2007

The Dalai Lama says 'All major religious traditions carry basically the same message: That is love, compassion and forgiveness.' Do you agree?

January 7, 2008

PBS is airing a series on "The Jewish Americans." We know what "Jewish identity" has meant in the past. What will it mean in the future? How does a minority religion retain its roots and embrace change?

January 30, 2008

Two world church leaders died this week -- President Gordon B. Hinckley of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and Archbishop Christodoulos of the Greek Orthodox Church. How important are religious leaders to members of the faith and to public perceptions of those faiths?"

February 1, 2008

A journalism student in Afghanistan has been sentenced to death for distributing an Internet article that was considered an insult to the Prophet Muhammad. Do Islamic beliefs preclude freedom of speech? What about other faiths?

February 13, 2008

The Archbishop of Canterbury has suggested that English law must accommodate some aspects of Islamic law, or shariah. Do you agree? Should U.S. law make room for shariah?

February 27, 2008

According to a new Pew Forum survey, more than 4 in 10 Americans have switched their religious affiliation since childhood or dropped out of any formal religious group. Is this a mark of the health or sickness of American religion?

April 9, 2008

Pope Benedict's recent baptism of a well-known Italian Muslim has prompted criticism in much of the Islamic world. Has Benedict done enough to build bridges to Islam?

MORE PAST QUESTIONS

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