Purpose: to examine the role of religion and faith in your life, to identify your already-held beliefs about religion and faith, in preparation for reading the book The Fingerprints of God.

Introduction:  The book you've chosen is The Fingerprints of God, by Barbara Hagerty . In it, she explores the scientific origins of faith and asks questions about the nature of faith and about humanity's enduring need to feel connected to something larger than itself. What is the role of religion in your life?

Directions: 

Note: The journals are intended to be a way for you to explore ideas that you might later wish to refine in a paper or a discussion.  I will not censor these journals in any way, nor will I grade them on content or grammar (though, like the seminars, they must be coherent and display some measure of critical thinking about the question at hand).

Write a page or two about your attitudes on religion. You do not have to answer all the questions, nor do you have to confine yourself to these questions. Write about whatever is on your mind. 

Some questions to consider.

• How would you define religion, faith and spirituality? Is there a difference between the three terms, and if so, what?  
• What has been your experience with religion/faith/spirtuality in your life?
• How has your relationship with religion, faith and/or spirituality changed as you've grown?
• What were you taught as a child about religion?
• Do you accept what you've been taught, or have you questioned or felt conflicted about parts of what you were taught as a child?
• If you currently practice a particular religion, what is it, and what is your relationship to that faith?