Discussion Topics
Some topics and starter texts for holding your own discussions and helping others to look beyond the status quo and find a new place from which they can base their beliefs, faith and understanding on, for the world around them..
The Intersection of Faith and Science
Explore how faith and science interact, complement, or contradict each other in understanding the world. Discuss examples like evolution, the Big Bang, or medical breakthroughs. How can these perspectives coexist, or where do they diverge? Share your thoughts on whether science and spirituality serve distinct but complementary purposes, or if they clash in explaining reality.
The Search for Meaning in a Secular World
What gives life purpose without traditional religion? Share how philosophy, personal values, or community influence your sense of meaning. Discuss ways people navigate existential questions in a world where faith is no longer the default framework. Can secular and spiritual approaches overlap in creating a fulfilling life?
Miracles: Divine Intervention or Coincidence?
What are your thoughts on miracles? Share personal stories or examples you’ve encountered. Discuss whether they’re signs of divine intervention or coincidences shaped by perception. How do cultural and psychological factors shape our understanding of miracles, and what role does faith play in believing in the extraordinary?
Moral Foundations: Does Religion Own Ethics?
Discuss the origins of your moral beliefs. Are they shaped by religion, philosophy, or cultural values? Do you believe a higher power is necessary for morality, or can secular ethics stand alone? Explore how different frameworks impact personal decisions and societal norms.
Spirituality Without Religion: A Growing Phenomenon
What does spirituality mean to you outside of organized religion? Share practices like meditation, mindfulness, or connecting with nature that bring you peace or fulfillment. Discuss how spirituality can evolve and whether it’s tied to transcendence or simply a deeper connection to yourself and others.
Debating the Afterlife: What Awaits Us Beyond?
What do you believe happens after death? Share cultural or personal interpretations of the afterlife—or lack thereof. Discuss how these beliefs impact your approach to life, relationships, and purpose. Does the idea of an afterlife comfort or complicate your view of existence?
The Role of Doubt in Faith and Growth
How has doubt shaped your beliefs? Share moments where questioning led to growth or change in perspective. Discuss whether doubt challenges or strengthens faith. How can it be embraced as part of a larger journey toward understanding and personal development?
Can Science Explain Consciousness?
What do you believe consciousness is—just a product of the brain or something transcendent? Share your thoughts on what makes us self-aware. Discuss whether science will ever fully explain consciousness or if it’s beyond human comprehension. How does your belief influence your view of reality?
Faith Under Fire: Belief in an Age of Skepticism
How has your faith—or lack of faith—adapted in the modern age? Discuss the impact of science, technology, and societal shifts on traditional beliefs. Share ways you’ve addressed skepticism in yourself or others. How do you navigate a world with diverse and competing worldviews?
Humanity’s Need for Ritual and Tradition
What role do rituals play in your life? Share traditions—religious, cultural, or personal—that bring meaning or structure. Discuss whether rituals require faith or if they can thrive as purely human practices. How do rituals help create connection, continuity, and identity in your community?