Role of Religion in Society Project (inspired by One Day, No Religion)

Message in my inbox this morning from Dr Lucy Peel, documentary film maker. I'd really urege you to have a look at the video interviews.

Dear Interviewees,

Thank you for participating in the recent "Role of Religion in Society" project, as inspired by the "One Day, No Religion" event. The link below will take you to the article which is now live on my website -

http://lucypeel.com/2011/02/21/the-role-of-religion-in-society/

Again, many thanks for your help - it is very much appreciated. It was a pleasure to work with you all.

Best Wishes,
Lucy Peel

One Day, No Religion (4)

Over the past few weeks, I've mentioned "One Day, No Religion" in this blog several times. Today, Sunday 20 February, is that One Day.

Follow One Day, No Religion on Twitter: @20february

Visit the One Day, No Religion website: http://february20.org/

MEET LUCY BAINCA PEEL, DOCUMENTARY FILM MAKER

To Embrace Arts at the Richard Attenborough Centre, University of Leicester this afternoon, where I'm being recorded on video by Dr Lucy Bianca Peel (photo above). She's making a documentary about One Day, No Religion, which takes place this coming Sunday (20 February). Lucy asked me the following questions (the same set of questions will be asked to all individuals being interviewed). How would you have answered these questions, faithful reader? I wonder if you can guess how I answered them.

THE QUESTIONS

1. Do you feel as if you have enough time to relax?
2. Do you consider organised forms of relaxing such as prayer or meditation to be useful?
3. Do you consider depictions of ghosts, angels, gods, reincarnation and karma to be a way of describing human emotions?
4. Are there any situations in which a person should not be optimistic? That a person should avoid wishing for the best outcome?
5. Do you believe that you could be visited by an angel or be reincarnated?
6. Does faith play any role in your life?
7. How would you make a decision on whether to give money to a person begging on the street?
8. Do you vote in political elections?
9. If you vote, how do you make the decision on which group to vote for?
10. To what extent should a leader, speaker or lecturer attempt to influence an audience’s opinion?
11. Is a society more functional when everyone believes in one way of living or has many different ways of living?
12. Do you believe faith to be a static model of belief, or can a person’s model of faith change over time?
13. Do you believe that leaders should change their model of faith should there be pressure from the audience?
14. What is an appropriate age to make a lifelong commitment?Would you want to make sure a child always has a support network in place, should anything happen to their parents?
15. How do you make a decision on which school to send a child?
16. Is attending a school different to belonging to a religious congregation?
17. Is there a limit to which science should be allowed to probe?
18. If you were ill and needed to take a medicine that would save your life, would you take it?
19. Would you agree that the aim of religious people, atheists and secularists is to generate a safe environment to live in?
20. If the aim of these separate groups is the same, then is it really important as to how this aim is fulfilled?

One Day, No Religion (2)

Further communication today from local documentary film-maker, Dr Lucy Peel in connection with "One Day, No Religion", scheduled for 20 February. We learn more about the purpose of the event, with text lifted from the organisers:

What would it be like if religion wasn't around? That's what February 20 is all about.

To accomplish this, don't go to church, don't eat kosher, don't pray, don't read religious literature, don't debate religious issues ... instead, show equal care and respect with EVERYONE, even those of us with different (or no) religion.

Let's show the world that religion is actually not necessary for people to join together and live full, good and meaningful lives, even if for only one day! This isn't about intolerance or violence. Just one day, No religion.

We have created One Day, No Religion to encourage people to peacefully and intelligently express their frustrations with religion in a unique way. You can reach us directly at february20@live.com to volunteer, or ask any questions you may have.

And here's what Lucy herself has to say about her involvement in this project, in her own words:

I am not the author of the One Day, No Religion project but it did make me think about the role of religion in society.

I don’t consider myself to be religious, an atheist or even a secularist. Each way of thinking and living one’s life has some good points and some bad points. I’m not intending to upset or scandalise any specific group – I would like to talk openly about the advantages and disadvantages of each way of thinking and living one’s life.

The project aims to educate people about being religious, atheist or secularist.

If you would like to participate in the project, this would involve being interviewed on camera. The resulting interviews would be hosted on the website  http://www.lucypeel.com/

Find out more about One Day, No Religion:

http://february20.org/

One Day, No Religion (1)

An interesting message via our website today from locally-based film-maker, Dr Lucy Peel, contacting us in connection with "One Day, No Religion", which takes place on 20 February. The aim of the event is to join together with people around the globe by making a pledge to not partake in any kind of religious activity for the whole day; to set aside religion and religious differences, and come together only as people.

Lucy is a documentary artist publishing work through her website, covering many different events. She says that her motivations stem from the study of anthropology, which brings her into contact with diverse and varied sections of society. Many of the articles she publishes are multimedia – in that they contain short films, photos and words. When she's not doing all this, Lucy is a biological scientist at Leicester University, doing research work on asthma.

Lucy would like to interview some faith leaders and religious people about their thoughts on this day and their views on the current role of religion in society. She's asking after contacts for possible interviewees, especially ones who would consent to being recorded on camera.

This demands some urgent follow up!