Sample questions on Religion
- A Dalit Catholic declares himself a Hindu in order to get the legal privileges for Dalits. Is it denial of the faith?
- A Catholic goes to a Hindu pilgrimage centre, has a dip in the sacred tank, bows before the idols and accepts prasad from the Hindu priest. Now he is somewhat at ease. What would you tell them?
- A catholic army officer devoutly participates in the pujas and services of the different religious groups in his battalion in order to please his men. It is alright?
- When a child gets a mysterious sickness and medicines and prayers are of no avail, the parents go to a bhagat who seems to effect healing by means of incantations and sacrificing a cock. Now they wonder whether they did right?
- A Catholic gets sick which he thinks is due to the spell cast by the jealous neighbour. So he pays Rs. 50 to a ‘mantrawadi’ to have it removed.
- A pious person wears an amulet to ward off sickness and other evils. His friend tells him that it is a superstition which he has to get rid off. What would you say?
- A catholic family has more children than they can afford. So they entrust one child to their Protestant relatives to be brought up as a Protestant. Was it wrong on their part?
- A Catholic orphanage gives babies in adoption to Protestant and even Hindu families as ‘they will at least have a good family atmosphere’. Is it justified?
- A girl was baptised in the Catholic boarding. When she goes home she takes part in the Hindu puja in order that her Baptism might not be known. Is she justified in doing so?
- A parishioner who was indifferent to Church life had expressed clear desire of being cremated. Could he be given a Christian funeral?
- A parishioner commits suicide and the people are greatly scandalised. The family begs of the priest to conduct funeral rights. What is he to do?
- There is no Protestant Church or pastor around. Could the parish priest conduct funeral rites for Protestants?
- Can a Catholic preacher spend most of his Sunday in gardening?
- A man cannot assist at Mass on Sundays because of his work, but could easily do so on a week day. Is he obliged?
- A Catholic artist makes all kinds of statues, of Ganesh etc., to earn his living. Is it alright?
- A man receives a chain prayer. According to the instructions he has to copy it out and send it to 10 other people; otherwise, he would incur divine punishment. He comes for advice to you.
- A catholic regularly consults palmists and other fortune tellers. How would you advise him?
- A priest raises funds for the poor by selling rosaries and other sacred objects blessed by the pope or touched to some relics at a much higher price, is it alright?
- A boy confesses to the habit of “swearing and using bad language” what advice?
- A person takes a vow to go on pilgrimage to Velankanni if child is cured. Now he finds he cannot afford the journey. What can the confessor do?
- A parents take a solemn vow that if their young daughter recovers from a serious illness, they would offer her to the convent. Now she refuses to join the convent. What advice would you give her and the parents?
- A catholic keeps his general stores open on Sunday because he can get more business and closes on Mondays. What is to be said about it?
- A catholic contractor keeps the work going on Sundays by employing non-Christian workers saying that they are not bound by the law of Sunday rest. Is he justified in doing so?
- A religious community enjoys tasty fish on Friday. Are they fulfilling the law of Abstinence?
- A catholic firmly believes he will be saved whatever he does provided he wears the scapular and observes the 9 first Fridays. How would you guide the person?
- Can I take part in the religious ceremonies and feasts of Hindus without any hesitation? How far can I go?
- A catholic boy from Mangalore goes to Bangalore to enter a college there. At the college he gives his name as a Hindu, otherwise he will not be admitted. Is this all right?
- A Catholic goes to visit a Hindu temple and against warnings of being punished by God, he deliberately wears sandals and enters the holy place. But on the way back, he is seized with fear and comes to you asking whether the deed is an offence against God.
