Religious Awareness

Faith Group Snapshots

INTRODUCTION


Books with Various Religion TitlesThe following faith group snapshot videos are provided by practicing members from various religious groups. They are intended to orient viewers to basic religious aspects/beliefs and raise awareness of the referenced group for the purpose of better understanding the religious practices of others. These individual perspectives should not be interpreted as official or final religious doctrine or as the official views of, or endorsed by, the United States Government, the Department of Defense, or the Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute.

AGNOSTICISM


When asked whether a deity or deities exist, Agnostics don't have a definite yes or no answer. They hold these beliefs about God's existence. Each Agnostic has been unable to find convincing evidence that one or more deities exist. They have also been unable to find convincing proof that no deity exists.  Nathan Raju presents the following perspectives.

Nathan Raju

Introduction to Agnosticism
What are the common misconceptions
of Agnosticism?
Does it offend you when someone
encourages you to acknowledge a
different spiritual holiday?
Is there a mandate in your faith to win
converts?
   
   

 

BUDDHISM


Buddhism follows the teaching of the Lord Gautama Buddha, born Siddhartha, an Indian prince who lived circa 560-480 BCE.  The following perspectives are presented by Mr. Andrei Adaryukov.

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Mr. Andrew Adaryukov

Introduction to Buddhism
What is the common thread between
the different faiths?
What are some misunderstood or
controversial practices within your
religion?
Is there a mandate in your faith to
share your faith in order to win
converts?
 
Does it offend you when someone
wishes you a "Merry Christmas?"
 

 

CHRISTIANITY


Historically, Christianity can be considered and broken down into three main branches consisting of Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, and Protestantism, as, respectively, within and outside the "mystical body" of the Church. However, the gradual movement toward ecumenism since the mid-20th century, particularly between the Roman Catholic and major Protestant Churches, has led theologians and popes to search for a more inclusive understanding of membership in the mystical body of Jesus Christ.  Deacon Michael McElwee presents the Roman Catholic perspective, Chaplain (Capt) Jason Gunnels present the Protestant-Baptist perspective, and Chaplain (LtCol) Calvin Dixon the Protestant-Pentecostal perspective.


Roman Catholicism

Deacon Michael McElwee

Introduction to Roman Catholicism
What is the common thread between
the different faiths?
What are some misunderstood or
controversial practices within your
religion?
Is there a mandate in your faith to share
your faith in order to win converts?
 
Despite modern changes, why is
there inequality when it comes to
women in the Catholic Church?
 

 


 

Protestantism-Baptist

Chaplain (Capt) Jason Gunnels

Introduction to Protestantism-Baptist
Is there a mandate in your faith to share
your faith in order to win converts?

 


 

Protestantism-Pentecostal

Chaplain (LtCol) Calvin Dixon

 
Introduction to Protestantism-Pentecostal
Is there a mandate in your faith to share
your faith in order to win converts?

 

HINDUISM


Hinduism is a religion that originated and developed in India over the last 3000-3500 years. Hinduism is today practiced by the majority in India. It is the third largest world religion.  Dr. Minal Desai offers the following perspectives.

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Dr. Minal Desai

Introduction to Hinduism
What is the common thread between the different faiths?
Is there a mandate in your faith to share
your faith in order to win converts?
Does it offend you when someone wishes
you a "Merry Christmas?"

 

ISLAM


The Prophet Mohammad, born in Mecca, in what we now know as Saudi Arabia in about 570 CE, received the Book of Allah, the Qur'an, through divine revelation beginning in 610 CE. Over a period of 23 years, the Qur'an was completed and defined the faith of Islam, which is today one of the major religions of the world. Mohammad died in 632 CE.  The following perspectives are provided by Dr. Muzaffar Shaikh.

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Dr. Muzaffar Shaikh

Introduction to Islam
What is the common thread between the different faiths?
What are some misunderstood or
controversial practices within your
religion?
What are the quotes in the Qur'an that
are often misquoted or misunderstood?
How does the belief the Bible is truly
inspired by God conflict with the
Qur'an? What is the Muslim perspective
on the Trinity?
Is there a mandate in your faith to share
your faith in order to win converts?

JUDAISM


Jews trace the history of their faith back to the beginning of time and the creation of the world and humanity. The Torah, the sacred scripture of Judaism, begins with the Book of Genesis, telling of God's creation of the world and of humanity.

Additional Resources

► Facts on Judaism
Day's of Remembrance Resource Base
U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum


Rabbi Richard Margolis

Introduction to Judaism
What is the common threads between
the different faiths?
What are some misunderstood or
controversial practices within your
religion?
Is there a mandate in your faith to share
your faith in order to win converts?

 

Does it offend you when someone
wishes you a "Merry Christmas?"
 


 

Additional Resources

Day's of Remembrance Resource Base

 

 

Introduction to

WICCA


Most followers of Wiccan believe in a single ultimate reality that pervades the universe and is expressed in the Goddess and God. Most Wicca traditions worship the two deities as equals where none deserves more importance than the other. An attempt is usually made to reflect this balance in the coven, although men tend to be a minority in the Wiccan religion. 

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Ms. Linda Doherty

Introduction to Wicca
What is the common threads between
the different faiths?
What are some misunderstood or
controversial practices within your
religion?
Is there a mandate in your faith to share
your faith in order to win converts?
 
Does it offend you when someone wishes
you a "Merry Christmas?"
 

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