Religious Study

To Whom it may Concern, My Name is Scott Bolick. I am 22 and Live in Candler, NC, USA. I am a very curious person by nature and have a particular interest in the vastly different religious beliefs found in our world. As a result of this natural curiosity I have devised a series of questions I hope to have answered by a vast number of leaders in many major religions and denominations. I have enclosed this survey and selected you because of your knowledge and standing in your religious institution(or in some cases personal beliefs in which there may be no recognized institution or even organized belief structure.) Just to avoid any confusion about this survey let me start by making my motives clear. First of all I would like to say I have a firm religious belief myself which I would rather not state as to avoid creating any bias in the answers I receive and as a result is not looking to convert to any of the religions surveyed. Secondly, and perhaps most importantly I would like to give my word that in no way will I use these results to cause harm to any group of people whom assists in my study. I am a person who believes in the rights of others to disagree with me and respect the varying beliefs of those around me. I would also like to state that this survey is in no way related to any institution and is solely for my interest. You can Email your responses to Bolickscott@yahoo.com Thank You For Your Time, Scott Bolick

Survey Instructions: Please answer each question as completely as possible so I can have a better understanding of your beliefs and do further research. Please state the answer that most fits with the teaching of your particular religion or denomination. If your personal answer differs from the generally accepted teaching feel free to include that as well in a different passage. If there is not enough room to finish any answer please continue on another page. If any question does not apply to your group or you would rather not answer it please feel free to leave it blank. Section One: General Knowledge. What is the correct name for your Religion and Denomination?

Do you have a Religious text? If so is there a most accepted version of the text?

Do you have a meeting place for people who share your beliefs if so please describe it and what is it called?

How Old are your beliefs?

Who Founded your Beliefs?

What are your Religious leaders called?

Is there a difference of roles between Men and Women in your Beliefs?

Please Name and Describe the impact of any Figures(mortal or otherwise) that may have a role in understanding your beliefs.

What role do children play in your beliefs?

What are some common misconceptions about your religion?

What are the main tenants of your Faith

Please name and give a brief description/history of any major rituals or ceremonies you perform.

Please Name any major Holidays you celebrate throughout the year.

Section 2: General Beliefs In this Section I will list some items and actions and please tell me what your beliefs are about these things. Birth(if this holds any significance to your beliefs)

Abortion

Birth Control

Raising a Child

Maturity

Prayer

Family

Love(Romantic and Toward fellow man)

Disease

Medicine

Alcohol

Drugs

Tobacco

Dating

Marriage

Divorce (and if applicable Re-Marriage)

Sexual Relations

Same-Sex Marriage

Theft

Murder

Adultery

Diet(if there is any foods encouraged or nor allowed)

Government

Pain

Elderly

Nature

School and Education

People of different religious views

Charity

Animals

Life after death(if there are multiple possible outcomes please list them all)

Reincarnation

Military Service

War

Hate

Mission Work

Suicide

Attire(Is there an expected dress for those who follow your belief)

Taxation

Religious Attendance(gathering with others of your beliefs)

Technology

Religious Study

Conversion to your Beliefs

Sacrifice

Money

Material Objects

Supernatural Occurrences(Ghosts, Demons and such)

Magic

Miracles

Knowledge

Section 3: Open Ended This Section is Devoted to what you think it important to know about your beliefs. Since I have wrote this survey to appeal to many different beliefs I was forced to leave out many things. I also recognize the natural bias in my questions based on my life experiences and knowledge. Please use this section to tell me what is most important for me to know about your beliefs that I may have left out of the other Sections. Once again thank you for your help. Please send your Responses to Bolickscott@yahoo.com