We are embarking on a documentary series with each episode devoted to a religion in the United States.

Check out our first episode: Buddhism

Our intentions are to improve understanding among the different faiths by providing a simple overview of the beliefs and traditions of each group.

In order to provide an easy method for viewers to compare the different faiths, we will be asking each representative of that faith the same questions.

We would also ask that each representative provide a simple chart to show the historical context of the founding members.

That is:

Does this faith come from another religious tradition?
Is this faith organized with a central religious leader?
Is there a statistic for the current number of adherents?

We would like to film in the religious place of worship, if possible.

We would like to show a few religious items with brief explanations.

We would like to show a few minutes of a religious service if possible.

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Below are the ten questions we will ask:

1. Is your religion monotheistic? If so, how do you define your god?

2. We realize that you may have many things that you require of your believers.
Can you give us the three most important things they must believe?

3. Does your faith believe in a life after death? If so, is it divided into a heaven and hell?
Who gets to go to heaven? Is it possible for non-believers to get into heaven?
If your religion believes in re-incarnation, can you describe that first and then any concept you have for eternal life as one being?

4. Do you have a central group of writings that you consider the most sacred and important to your faith?

5. Is this central group of writings to be taken literally as the word of your god? Is this central group of writings to be taken as literally or figuratively true? In other words, do you believe in a literal interpretation?

6. Do you have a clergy as part of your faith? Are these both men and women? Are they ordained for life?
7. What one misunderstanding about your faith do you come across most frequently from those outside your faith?

8. How important is it for your members to try to convert others to the faith?

9. What is the most important religious holyday in your tradition? Can you tell us its historical context and meaning today?

10. What one point, not covered in the previous questions, do you feel is important for the general public to know?

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Please note the following guidelines we have set for our production:

The interviewer will ask ONLY the questions listed. There will be no follow-up questions or clarifications asked. This is so that we in no way influence the discussion.

Responses WILL NOT be edited. The full answer to the question will be included in the final product. We understand that some people will be new to film or perhaps nervous. In the even that you would like to re-answer the question, the question will be presented again and that response will be included.

We will provide on the final copy a listing for contact information (website/phone) so that interested viewers can contact you directly.

We will provide each group with a copy of its section of the final product.

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I you would like to be part of our project, please email us at: giordanoanthony@hotmail.com