Lets assume that all humans have a basic spirituality and evolve social, cultural, political and ideological practices as a means of acting out that spirituality. Lets assume also that organized and institutionalized religions evolve as a way of structuring and formalizing those beliefs and practices within a way of life.
Then take a man with few religious beliefs, and obvious moral failings, and bring him together with true believers in their homes and places of worship. Throughout, he will be trying to figure out how these organized religions ‘serve’ that basic spirituality of the people he comes in contact with.
Christianity and its politics dominate our national psyche. But what do Christians feel they need ‘salvation’ from, and how relevant is Jesus’ ‘message’ to the Irish of today? Sean joins the Orange Order marches, serves as an altar boy in Saint Patrick’s Cathedral and joins the mourners at a small country funeral.
Judaism rose from a virtual non-entity in the late 19th Century, yet is once again in decline in Ireland? Sean talks with the Irish Jewish community about the conflict in Israel and the Zionist movement, and spends time with Chief Rabbi Pearlman who rules and advises on all community wide issues, including Halachic questions, Kashrus issues, and family matters.
Islam offers to believers the opportunity to achieve peace, and is not just a religion, but an entire way of living. How does one achieve peace through Islam? In what way do the institutions of Islam offer spiritual enlightenment to the ever-growing Muslim population of Ireland, now nearing 25,000? Sean visits the worshippers at the Dublin Mosque, takes an Islamic course, prays with the congregation and seeks the truth behind Islamic extremism.
Buddhism offers a spiritual pathway of non-violence, with no deity involved. Through contemplation and meditation, one can learn to deal with suffering. How do the institutions of Buddhism help achieve these ends? Can they be regressive? For what reasons has it become relevant to the ‘modern’ world? Sean takes a mediation course with the Friends of the Western Buddhist Order, and pals around with recent Irish converts.
Hinduism, (the ‘eternal religion’) offers people the chance of re-incarnation and has karma deeply rooted in the psyche of its practitioners. How does the caste system its rules insist on serve ordinary Hindus, and how do its ancient practices stop believers from finding their own spiritual path? Sean joins the attempts to build a cultural center and place of worship in Clane, and takes part in a ‘pooja’ to the gods deities (Vinayaka, Saraswathi and Lakshmi)
New Ageism, Humanism and the practice of Personal Beliefs have in common a lack of a deity, centering their ideals on self. But does this lead to a loss in communal structure and purpose? Does having a deity provide us with values and an admiral leadership? Are these good indications of what lies ahead for organised? Sean relaxes with some aging hippies and joins a mystical get together at Tara to understand it’s influences and possible future.
With the future growth in religious diversity on the island of Ireland and the decline in the practice of ‘traditional’ beliefs, there is a real need among all Irish people to understand belief systems and the role they play in the lives of the believers. Sean will get to see the human face of a world he has no practical connection to, and meet people with passions and opinions alien to his own.
The audience will get a fascinating look into the lives of these individuals through this eyes, as he tries to understand what it is that makes deeply religious people so dedicated to their cause.
Overall, the series will build up a picture of organized and institutionalised religion on the island of Ireland today. Apart from these specific themes the series will address the contradictions inherent in organized religion, the problems arising from the ‘One True God’ thesis, the ‘God vs Science’ problem, the politicization and nationalization of belief systems, and how the grand ideas of destiny and collective purpose borne from historical and ideological need affect the basic religious needs of ordinary people.
Will these characters simply humor this laidback, satirical personality, or could Sean Hughes actually find something deep and meaningful on his journey?
[...] What Do You Believe? [...]