I will be conducting interviews throughout the next couple years (2013-2015) with people of differing values and beliefs to construct simple-to-understand portraits of the conviction and practical significance underlying their beliefs, values, and practices. My goal is to ultimately communicate interviewees’ ideas and passion in a way that offers a glimpse into contrasting worldviews and lifestyles, but more specifically, a glimpse into their sense of happiness and felt benefit derived from their values.

 

Ultimately, what I hope to convey is a simulated ‘sit-down’ with participants as they trustingly and honestly communicate their passion and sincerity about what they believe, and how they live and express what their values ‘do’ for them. The questions asked of participants will be uniform so I can later parallel responses, enabling readers to quickly identify similar or distinguishing characteristics of the ‘why’ of people’s values. It is my hope and belief that thereby the motives and benefits of each person’s core values, unfastened from rote creed or conscious rationale, will become more apparent. A person’s values may then be understood and appreciated by how they ‘work’ in a person’s life, instead of losing the meaning of another’s values by over-emphasizing the importance of differences in logic and language.

 

The interviews consist of 10 basic questions, and take place in the context of a casual, laid-back discussion, with no pressure for interviewees to strictly formalize their thoughts or feelings. They are never criticized at any point for their choice of words or opinions, nor are they expected to provide any kind of a formulaic or orthodox expression of their beliefs or values to represent or satisfy their faith/values community. The purpose of the interview is wholly dedicated to what the interviewees think and feel as individuals unique in their own expressions and emphases. The overriding tone of the interviews is the following: there is no right or wrong answer, there is only your answer.

 

The final form of this work is intended to be published as a book, and it will be laid out in the following fashion, though subject to restructuring as the project evolves:

 

• It will be supported by research from 100-200 interviews with people of widely varied values and beliefs

• It will contain a selection of actual interviews to be published in the book

• A forward will be provided by a qualified person in a related field

• An introduction and first several chapters (Part 1) will be provided by the author on the experiences and thoughts gleaned from interviewing participants

• Part 2 will contain chapters dedicated to the actual interviews, with the author’s comments and observations introducing each chapter/section of religious groups represented, and closing each chapter/section with a summary

• A final chapter with final summary and applications, and a probable epilogue for follow-up to interviewing experience, will be provided by the author

 

I am soliciting the assistance and support of inter-faith organizations, humanitarian agencies, and religious communities and congregations to introduce my work to people of widely varying perspectives, and to obtain interviews with individuals from all walks of life. Interviews usually take a total of about 30-60 minutes time to complete using a handheld recorder and mic when needed. I meet at the interviewee’s place of work, worship, or mental/spiritual sanctuary if they feel so inclined; or I treat them to coffee somewhere and just relax and chat (sound-reduction mics will reduce background noise). I provide in advance the 10-question interview to help the interviewee prepare and alleviate anxiety, and follow up the interview with a transcript of the interview, and a release of information that will allow me to use the interview for publication.

 

All participants will be notified when their interviews, and the work as a whole, are published.