Religion

Hinduism, Christianity, Islam, and many other religions are a key part of life on Earth. It guides the daily living of almost 3 billion people and is the central focus for life’s great milestones; deaths, births, and marriages. Whatever your personal view, it is accepted that most religions do create a fraternity of mankind that no other organization has been able to do. Millions face Mecca each day to pray, many more say their daily prays, and all around the world the ritual of daily life revolves around the simple prays and words from ancient texts.

This conversation question sheet is to help stimulate a discussion with your students on what it means to them to be religious, and how their lives are influenced by it.

• Language level: B1+
• Aim: Talk about faith, religion, and what it means to be a God fearing person
• Learner type: Young learners; Teens; Adults
• Time: 45 – 60 minutes
• Activities included: Discussing quotes, conversation questions, presentation, image discussion
• Topic: Religion
• Language: Any
• Materials: Text and images

Useful vocabulary

Karma – The concept that what one does in this life affects your next life

Spiritual – Relating to the human spirit

Ritual – A custom or ceremony that is related to a religion

Piety – the quality of being religious

Saint – A person who is regarded to be virtuous in the Christian faith

Sinful – immoral, wicked

Destiny – the idea that events will happen to a person in the future

Religion conversation questions printable worksheet

• Download the PDF talking points page: Religion conversation questions PDF
• Download the PDF images for class: Religion Images PDF

Did you know?

• Dogs are mentioned 14 times in the Bible, and lions 55 times, but domestic cats are not mentioned at all.
• Seven suicides are recorded in the Bible.
• The official faith in North Korea is Juche.
• There are roughly 1.5 billion followers of Islam.
• Hinduism is the world’s oldest faith.

Quotations

My religion is very simple. My religion is kindness.
– Dalai Lama

Religion is about turning untested belief into unshakable truth through the power of institutions and the passage of time.
– Richard Dawkins

Questions

• How important is religion in your life? In your family’s life? Do you practice your religion?
• Can you name some religions of the world? Which are the most popular? Which religions have a small number of followers?
• What is the most prevalent religion in your country? Do people in your country marry outside their religion? Is this respected or looked down upon?
• Do you believe religions solves problems or causes problems?
• How do you feel about people who are persecuted for their religion?
• Do you believe in religious freedom? Do you know of any countries where there is religious freedom? Where there is no religious freedom?
• Do you know of any countries who have gone to war because of religion?
• Do you know anyone who has no religion? Does their decision bother you?
• There are, and have been, religious cults (Jim Jones, Scientology) and small of shoot religious groups. How do you feel about these groups? Do you think they can be dangerous?
• Would you change your religion for marriage or expect someone to change their religion for you?
• If religion is supposed to be about love, tolerance, and peace then why are so many of our world’s conflicts and wars caused by religion?

Presentation

List as many religions as they can think of (or teacher provides a list). In groups or pairs, have students compare/contrast two religions and share findings with the class