Religious Interview: Examining the Religious Experience
Instructions: Using the historical process, conduct an interview with someone (family member, friend,
neighbour, or most ideally a religious leader / head who has primary knowledge and strong or deep religious
tendencies towards a world religion. Part of this process is finding someone to interview (saying "I don't know
anyone is unacceptable").
Step 1: Background Research
It is important to have an understanding of the basic beliefs of the religion on which you will be conducting
the interview. It is recommended that you do some preliminary research on the following: origins, beliefs,
practices and rituals, symbols, sacred writings, leading figures, Holy Places and religious holidays.
Step 2: The Interview
Suggestions for Effective Interviews:
1. Be overly prepared with questions. You may not use them all but it is better to be safe than sorry.
2. Check out the topic with your interviewee beforehand to be sure he or she is comfortable with it.
3. Arrange to meet at the interviewee’s convenience and be punctual.
4. Check beforehand to see if your interviewee is comfortable being tape-recorded. If not, plan to take notes.
5. Carefully check equipment such as tape recorders and microphones at the beginning of the interview.
6. Both at the beginning and at the end of the interview, thank the person for giving of their time.
7. Be courteous, especially with regard to questions the interviewee does not wish to answer.
8. Throughout the interview be attentive and encouraging. Do not interrupt the person or comment negatively on what
they say.
9. Be prepared to deviate if interesting and unexpected information comes up.
10. If you are unclear about an idea the person is sharing, or would like to know more about a topic, politely ask the
person to clarify or elaborate.
11. Arrange to provide your interviewee with a copy of your final report.
Interview Questions:
1. What do you think is the most fundamental aspect(s) of your religion?
2. What do you want others to know about your religion?
3. What do you think is the most unique aspect of your religion?
4. What makes you a strong believer in your faith?
5. What are some of your religious traditions, rituals? Which do you favour most?
6. How does observing or performing these rituals affect your daily life?
7. What are some of the symbols of your religion, and what do they symbolize?
8. Does your religion provide a guide for your future path?
9. Does your community of faith always stand behind you in a time of need? How?
10. How does your faith handle societal issues such as premarital sex, intermarriage, teen pregnancy and divorce?
11. What do you believe about deity/ies?
12. Describe your feelings about your relationship with deity/ies?
13. Do you have any type of scripture or literature that you read and follow? When were they written?
14. Do you pray? If so, how do you pray?
15. How does your religion react or provide understanding for violence in society (past and present)?
16. Create additional 3-5 questions to enhance your interview.
Step 3: Analysis
Interpret the religious experience by reflecting on the following (2 pages typed; 12 font; double spaced):
1. According to the religion, what is the problem for humans (dilemma, flaw etc.) and the cause of this
problem?
2. According to the religion, what is the ideal state, goal or “ultimacy” for individuals?
3. According to the religion, what are the methods or means by which this ideal is achieved?
4. Make a personal assessment of the religious experience of the person you interviewed (ie. What did you like or
dislike? Was it believable? Is their religious experience successful? )
5. Compare and contrast the beliefs of the religion to your own religious beliefs or view on life.
Step 4: Putting it all Together
Please include the following information in your final submitted package:
 Title page (assignment title, student name, date, teacher name, images)
 Copy of interview questions and answers
 Typed analysis
 Rubric
Due Date:_____________________
Rubric: Religious Interview
Criteria
Knowledge /
Understanding
Level 1
-lack of understanding
of religion, beliefs,
concepts and religious
experience
Level 2
-adequate
understanding of
religion, beliefs,
concepts and religious
experience
Level 3
-proficient
understanding of
religion, beliefs,
concepts and religious
experience
Level 4
-exceptional
understanding of
religion, beliefs,
concepts and religious
experience
Thinking /
Inquiry and
Application
-lack of any insight and
analysis of religious
experience
-more detailed and
insightful conclusions
and analysis required
-insightful questions,
conclusions and
analysis
-exceptionally critical,
and insightful
questions, conclusions
and analysis of
religious experience
-many errors in
language conventions
-some errors in
language conventions
- proficiently uses
proper language
conventions
-exceptional written
structure and language
conventions used
Communication
Comments
Mark