Past Questions for Theology


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 14, 2007

“Why do you think some religions have regarded sex as sacred while others have regarded it as a sin?”


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?


April 4, 2007

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


April 17, 2007

How does your faith tradition explain (and respond to) senseless tragedies such as the Virginia Tech shootings.


April 19, 2007

Do you think Islam is a violent religion?


April 25, 2007

In light of recent high-profile public apologies by Don Imus, Paul Wolfowitz, Michael Nifong, the Pope and others, what is the relationship of apology (repentance) to forgiveness?


May 2, 2007

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


May 9, 2007

Was Jesus a social revolutionary? Why or why not? Pope Benedict XVI's trip to Brazil revives worldwide interest in this question.


May 23, 2007

In the controversial new book, "God is Not Great," author Christopher Hitchens argues that "religion is man-made." How would you respond to that statement?


September 5, 2007

A question as we commemorate the anniversaries of Katrina and 9/11: Why would a merciful God allow disasters -- natural or manmade -- to happen?


September 19, 2007

Various religious groups in America, from Jehovah's Witnesses to Mormons, have been considered cults at some point. What is the difference between a religion and a cult? What constitutes a real religion?


February 6, 2008

A man in Siberia named "Vissarion" who has 5,000 followers claims to be the reincarnation of Jesus Christ. Such claims have been made by various people over the millennia. How do we know true revelation from false?


March 22, 2008

Do you have to believe the resurrection is literally true -- that Jesus came back to life in his body -- to be a Christian?

Top Local Global

On Faith is an interactive conversation on religion moderated by Newsweek Editor Jon Meacham and Sally Quinn of The Washington Post. It is produced jointly by Newsweek and washingtonpost.com, as is PostGlobal, a conversation on international affairs. Please send your comments, questions and suggestions for On Faith to editor and producer David Waters.