It was part of a program which brought people together to talk about their faiths and personal theology. Sharing it while the program would collect data on us. I won’t bother to dig up the transcript for my focus group. Because I’m dead tired at 4 am right now and I’m having a meeting with Ms. Keylocke tomorrow. Difficulty is nigh!
But anyhow here’s the blogs from that era. Seems so long ago but it’s from first year when I met S. (decided to pull out her name it’s not exactly legal for me to disclose it I think?)
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Welcome to your Walk in my Shoes blog!
Please write an entry after each conversation. (You can write more often, if you want!) In writing your entry, please consider the following questions:
• What were the issues you addressed, what did you talk about?
• How did the topic sheet shape your conversation?
• What do you feel you were able to give in the conversation?
• What did you gain from the conversation?
+ your reflections …
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2009
Things Sacred
We were supposed to have our first talk on Thursday but due to my unpunctuality we had to postpone the meeting to Friday but instead got to know each other a bit on Thursday because S is actually my sister's housemate from my sister's university days.
The conversation went on for 2 hours and was amiable throughout we talked about everything on the topic sheet following most questions as we weren't sure of the scope of the title mostly. It went as if we were comparing religions really talking about the differences and similarities in our religions. We used the topic sheet as a guideline as to what to talk about and to help jog our memories. It was more of a curious exploratory conversation that delved in to the depths and technicalities of our religions. From our conversation I feel that I have gained a deeper understanding in S's religion and a clearer understanding as to why someone has picked such a religion but yet leaves me curious even more. The conversation also made me think more about the role faith plays in my life compared to hers as she's very devout. Sorely lacking in my piety so to speak. I've also learned a bit about my own religion and how it is to other people from a different religious standpoint. There wasn't any serious problems as both of us have come from tolerant societies and accepted each others religion even if we had different opinions on certain things. It did take 2 hours though and it was probably one of the longest conversations I've had in awhile.
I feel quite spiritually lacking compared to partner at the moment and would like to undergo some self improvements to try and match her standards of piety at least at some point in my life. It is likely however that due to her mental maturity her piety is easier to upkeep than my sorely lacking in discipline self.
Posted by Kington at 6:28 AM (yeh I didn’t sleep very well back then)
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2009
Making Sacrifices
After a week of delay we met up last Friday because she was busy. And I forgot to turn up for the things she invited me for. Yet again since we weren't really sure what to talk about we relied heavily on the topic sheet for guidance. Although this time we ran off the focus of the main topic quite a lot. This time however I felt that the conversation ran in a way that we sort of didn't understand each other's religions that well. And it got a little confrontational because Christianity is a lot more permissive towards most things. And I think me saying it's ok to do some things might have rubbed her the wrong way. Yet somehow although it did get a little hot we never argued or anything out of sheer respect for one another. I've learnt how to be more tactful in conversational topics and about how to handle the more sensitive issues in a religion. Eventually when we started talking about the pure essence of faith itself and the basic teachings of religions it felt like we were discussing the same religion. I still do feel a little twinge of irritation when she says my Saviour is one of the manifestations of her deity. However I probably irritate her just as much when I mispronounce the name of her religion.
Posted by Kington at 3:51 PM
MONDAY, MARCH 16, 2009
Tolerance and Limits
The conversation went quite well although both of us were tired from the fairly stressful week. Although both of us had a bit of trouble explaining our tolerances especially with me not being too sure at all. Although I do get the feeling S was getting a little frustrated with me not being able to give proper responses at all. The topic sheet yet again worked well in pinpointing the technicalities of tolerance and fully laid out tolerance and it's limits much to my difficulty in explaining sadly. Well designed this one I must say. Although I think I gave a vague picture on my own religion being Christian and all that's not much to say but just point towards Jesus and His tolerance towards all things. Only problems I felt this time around was possibly S's irritation towards my answers which I myself felt were very poor as well. I truly felt that compared to her my knowledge in my own religion is rather shallow at that moment more than ever. I feel like I've walked away strengthened in my own faith because when I told S that I was having a bit of trouble with my own walk with God she told me not to give up and encouraged me. On the topic of tolerance I feel like I've gained new respect for her religion and her ability to cope with unsavoury characters. And I've seen the shortcomings in my own tolerance of people. I've also seen how much further along the tolerance chain I've actually come from years ago. And how slack I've been at upholding my own faith.
Posted by Kington at 2:49 PM
MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2009
Belonging to a Faith Community
It's been 2 weeks since the meeting but I did write the blog on paper much much earlier it's just I haven't had the chance to update any blogs at all for awhile.
The conversation went fairly quickly this time concise and organised mostly due to the topic sheet leading and guiding the way really clearly this time. The conversation was highly comparative this time around. And it felt different than the previously explorative nature of conversations. The book pretty much led the way this time clearly showing the direction required for the conversation so we pretty much knew the track well. This time however I had this feel that even though we've all got different religions it felt as if we all do things the same regardless and the things that really do separate us are just merely the little details and methods but not the actual religions themselves. I feel like it was time for me to grow a bit more resolve in going to church. As well as slightly disappointed that people of her faith seemed a bit more forgiving than the people in my home church all the way back in my homeland.
Sorry for the lateness on this blog but I really really couldn't help it.
Posted by Kington at 8:53 PM
