CARIBBEAN ADVANCED PROFICIENCY EXAMINATIONS

NAME: SHANIA LALL

CANDIDATE NUMBER:
SCHOOL: FYZABAD ANGLICAN SECONDARY
SCHOOL CENTRE NUMBER: 160021
SUBJECT: CARIBBEAN STUDIES

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Titles
Pages
Problem Statement
Acknowledgement
Introduction and Purpose of Research
Definition of Terms
Literature Review
Data Collection Source
Presentation of data
Analysis
Discussion of Findings
Conclusion
Limitations
Recommendations
Bibliography
Appendix

PROBLEM STATEMENT
To what extent has religion impacted on the lifestyles of adolescents in Community X?

Research Objectives

To determine how religion has impacted on the lives of the adolescents in Community X.
To find out the features of religion.
To use findings to make recommendations about the impact of religion on society.
To identify the level of aspirations that religion gives

Research Questions
1.
2.
3.
4.

What are the impacts of religion on the lives of adolescents in Community X

What are the features of religion?
How does religion inspire an individual?
Why do individuals attend religious institutions?

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
An internal assessment of this magnitude was effectively compiled with the assistance
and contribution of a number of individuals; gratitude must be extended to such persons.
I would like to give credit to my teachers for the roles they played in outlining the task I
was expected to perform.
I would like to thank the participants who answered questions and co-operated, in addition to my
family for being patient and helpful with me at that time, in addition to my friends who helped
and co-operated with me. I sincerely am grateful to you all.

INTRODUCTION AND
PURPOSE TO
RESEARCH
This study is geared towards finding out how the adolescents of Community X are
impacted by religion. The researcher is of the idea that religion has played an integral role in the
lives of the people living in the community. Informal interviews with members of the community
indicated that religion has changed the lives of many individuals living in the community. This
study therefore aims to assess Community X, seeking examples of how religion impacts on
individuals and how it has impacted on their lives.
The researcher chooses this topic to research on this topic because of the
increasing amount of arguments arising about the impact of religions on individuals worldwide.
The researcher who has also has some special interest in the topic and wanted to explore more,
and sees this as an opportunity to do so. The research sees a lot of educational values arising
from carrying out this research which includes; adding to the knowledge based of individuals
about the entire impact of religion on individuals as well groups and institutions which is a topic
studied in the subject.

Definition of Terms
Religion :

the belief or worship of a superhuman controlling power such as God or gods.

Individual:

is a person or any specific object in a collection.

Celibacy:

refers to a state of not being married or a state of abstention from sexual

intercourse or the abstention by vow from marriage.

Monotheistic: is the belief in the existence of one god.

Liberate:

To set free, as from oppression, confinement, or foreign control.

Intimacy:

a close personal relationship.

LITERATURE REVIEW
For a very long time, religion has had a very strong aim in the shaping of the way
children are to be brought up. The medieval period was in particular a period in which the church
could not accept standards other than its own when children were brought up. For this reason
religious ideas became deeply socialized in the children who were growing up during this time,
and anything they did was entirely shaped by the expectations of religious teachings (Petrescu,
2010).
Religion teaches us to dress modestly and decently, not only to prevent sin, but also to
preserve intimacy. People who want to sin will sin no matter how modestly dressed the people
they see are. The purpose of modesty is not only to prevent lustful desires, but also to preserve
something which is very fragile and yet fundamental to the survival of a marital relationship.
These teachings greatly impacted the way that children were to be brought up. The
expectations of the parents and guardians regarding childhood were shaped by this ecclesiastical
teaching (Petrescu, 2010). This research attempts to add to the knowledge base of the influences
religion has on the ideas of individuals.
Studies have shown that it is indecisive of the impact of religion individuals. Some
theorists, believe that religion has a positive effect on the social life of an individual (Novak,
2002), some believe that children are brain washed during childhood to accept teachings, so that
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when they grow old they will not depart from it (Petrescu, 2010), while others are of the idea that
Religion is a system of control which sets out to control individuals (Faith Facts, 2008).
Shifting the research from studying only one side and its advantages and disadvantages,
we recognize that religion has positive impacts on the social lives of individuals. This research
about the impact of religion on the social lives of individuals living in Community X shows the
most recent ways that researchers are studying the impact of religion on individuals. In-depth
questionnaires are used to allow individuals who are afraid to speak out, but able to write their
views and the impact that religion has on them. In this way researchers can study how religion
has impacted on individuals which have lead to atheists in society. It addresses the challenges
regarding Religion or atheism as a stable entity a major disadvantage in previous works.

DATA COLLECTION SOURCES

In order to carry out this internal assessment on the impact of religion on the lives of
adolescents living in Community X, the researcher had to made use of primary and secondary
sources of data collection. The primary data collection source used was a questionnaire while the
secondary sources of data collection include textbooks and the internet.
A questionnaire is a research instrument that can be applied to fact finding technique in
systems development projects. It consist of a series of questions, the questionnaire used by the
researcher includes both open and close ended questions. A total of fourteen (14) questions were
asked in the questionnaire. The researcher choose questionnaires in collecting the data because it
was more cost efficient when collecting from a large source, it allow persons that will be
answering the questions time to do so, questionnaires are easily analyzed and they allow the
researcher to get opinions of people who are afraid to speak out.
The researcher issued twenty questionnaires to the adolescents of community X. All
questionnaires where fully answered and returned on the same day after the first issue.
The questionnaires were issued using random sampling where individuals were chosen without
any speculation however it spread across the different age groups to get the opinions of all. The
data collected by the researcher were useful and essential to the research being carried out since
it gives answers to research questions.

The secondary sources where used by the researcher to gather information related to the
research, to gain a better understanding of the problem that is being investigated. The source was
the Internet. The Internet contributed to the understanding of the problem in that give evidence
for the study.

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RELIGION OF RESPONDENTS

10%
30%

HINDUISM
CHRISTIANITY
ISLAM

60%

PIE CHART SHOWING THE DIFFERENT RELIGIONS OF THE RESPONDENTS.

Of twenty of the participants, twelve responded that they believed in the Christian doctrine; six
responded that they believed in Hinduism and two responded that they believed in Islam.

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RELIGION OF RESPONDENTS PARENTS

70%
60%
50%
RELIGION

40%
30%

60%

20%
30%
10%
10%
0%
HINDUISM

CHRISTIANITY

ISLAM

OTHERS

NONE

BAR GRAPH SHOWING THE RELIGION OF THE RESPONDENTS PARENTS.

Of twenty of the participants, eleven responded that their parents believed in the Christian
doctrine; seven responded that their parents believed in Hinduism and two responded that their
parents believed in Islam.

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WHAT DO YOU GET FROM RELIGION?

INSPIRATION

55%

FEAR

15%

SENSE OF LOVE

0%

30%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

BAR GRAPH SHOWING WHAT THE RESPONDENTS GOT FROM RELIGION?

Of twenty of the participants, 55% responded that they get a sense of inspiration from religion;
15% responded that they get a sense of fear and 30% responded that they got a sense of love
from religion.

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HAVE YOU EVER BEEN FORCED TO ATTENDED RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS

25%
NO
YES

75%

DOUGHNUT SHOWING IF RESPONDENTS WERE FORCED TO ATTEND RELIGIOUS

INSTITUTIONS.
Of twenty of the participants, 75% responded that they were forced to attend religious
institutions; and 25% responded that they were not forced to attend religious institutions

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HAS THE TEACHINGS OF RELIGION AFFECT THE WAY YOU LIVE?

100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%

45%

INFLUENCED BY
CHRISTIANITY WHEN
COMMUNITY

55%

YES
NO

PYRAMID SHOWING IF RELIGION AFFECTS LIFESTYLE

Of twenty of the participants, 45% responded that religious teachings affect their lifestyles; and
55% responded that religious teachings affect their lifestyles;

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Community X a highly populated community has sixty percent of the members of the
community which believe in the Christian religion while thirty percent believing in the Hindu
faith and the remaining ten percent believing in the Islamic faith this is indicated by Figure 1 in
the presentation of findings.
Based on the findings all the persons that believes in Religion their parents or guardian believes
in Religion as well, the same trend applies as shown in Figure 2 where sixty percent of the
respondents their parents or guardian or Christians and thirty percent are Hindu and ten percent
are Islam.
In the community the residents who practice religion as indicated by Figure 3, 55%
responded that they get a sense of inspiration from it, 15% receive fear while 30% respondents
obtains a sense of love from religion . This piece of information shows that Religion impacts on
these individuals, because a person who is religiously intimate and receive a sense of love from it
or inspiration will always want to practice religion to get that love and inspiration, at the same
time the teachings will be rooted into the individuals then change the individuals.

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The question have you in any point in your life been forced to go attend religious
institutions? was posed to respondents of the questionnaire 75% said yes and 25% replied no
has specified by Figure 4. The individuals who replied to the question giving a yes for their
answer was also asked the reason for this all responded stating that they do not know why they
were forced to attend church.
The idea of Religion impacts on the social life of members of the community.
According to the data from the questionnaires, Religion has helped individuals to appreciate and
love others despite of their religious background, social stance and their race. Therefore Religion
does not affects communication in the community has indicated by Figure 5 where 45% persons
influenced by Religion and 55% persons are not influenced by Religion. A popular saying which
advise individuals to attend religious institutions in whatever they have, have an impact on the
residents of the community because they obey the teachings of religious institutions.
It can be shown that in the community of Community X Religion has some level
of impact on the residents based on the response to the questions asked in the questionnaire.

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Its the intention of the researcher to find out the impact of Religion of the lives of people
living in the Community X. Anna Petrescu stated that Religion had for long time, aimed at
shaping the way children where brought up, a similar indication was shown in the research where
the religion of the residents , this is showing that Petrescu statement is logically correct because
all those parents belong to the respective religions and their children belong to the same
respective religion themselves, therefore parents must have seen religion as the way to bring up
their children in the process of socialization.
The different religious teachings have impacted individuals resulting in them having
various views of religion, a respondent in the research stated that Religion is total confusion and
if you want to be confused try to understand the teachings of Religion and Bertrand Russell in
Why I am Not a Christian said I sat quite deliberately that religions, as organized and still is the
principal enemy of moral progress in the world.
Is religion a system set up to control human beings? Community members stated that the
religion is like the idea of Santa Claus where children were forced to behave so as to receive
Christmas gifts. As is indicated the religion commands individuals and even its holy books
provides shows that as well.
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Today's young people in most Western countries are secularised. They form values and
meaning in life in ways that are different from those of previous generations -- at least different
enough to have significant implications for religious education in schools, both state and
religiously affiliated.
Even where they live in religious households and local communities that try to shield
them from a secular environment, youth in industrialized, urbanized societies see people
negotiating life and forming values more from their own initiative, with less dependence on
traditional religious guidance. For them, religion no longer speaks with relevance or authority;
if they have concerns about the environment, human rights, personal relationships and sexuality,
they are more likely to refer to organizations in society which are unaffiliated with religion. In
their self understanding and self expression many youth are eclectic, drawing on elements in
trans-cultural, trans-ethnic and trans-religious ways :the mass media, especially television, film
and music are significant sources. (M.L. Crawford and G.M. Rossiter, 1996, The Secular
Spirituality of Youth: Implications for Religious Education, British Journal of Religious
Education)

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At the end of the research the researcher was able to conclude that the residents of
Community X are impacted by the ideologies of Religion in a positive and negative way. The
positive impact which Religion has on the residents of Community X is that it helps them to
appreciate and love others while the negative impact of Religion is that creates ethnocentrism in
the members of the community which can cause internal problems.
The researcher also concluded that Religion in the community is based on traditions
hence the reason why most individuals attend religious institutions is because of the way in
which they were brought up and seeing that attending religious institutions is a norm in the
Community X society. Religion aspire the people of the community in a way that it help them to
appreciate others.

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The researcher during the research encountered problems in carrying out this research.
These problems include limited amount of equipment to get the assessment done on time,
difficulties in gathering information which were key to starting the internal assessment which
includes gathering for the Literature Review and problems analysing some of the data received
from some of the respondents due to poor writing skills.

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The researcher would like to recommend that the residents of the Community X increase their
knowledge of their present religion as well as other religions so to reduce the impacts of
ethnocentrism which can cause serious problems. This can be done by taking Religious
Education classes or reading books on articles from reputable sources about various world
religions. The researcher would also like to recommend that residents of the community seek to
gain inspiration from Religion other than just love or fear this can be achieved by reading the
various religious doctrines and with an open mind and questioning things that are written and
not readily apply them to themselves.

22

Bertran, R. (1927). Why I Am not A Christian. Kansas: Haldeman-Julius

Publications

Faith Facts. (2008). Retrieved November 16, 2014, from Faith Facts Website:
http://www.faithfacts.org
Lecky, W. E. (1905). History of European Morals. New York: Appleton.
Novak, M. (2002). Democracy & Religion in America.
Petrescu, A. (2010). The Influence Of Religion On Childhood. New York: Articles Base.
University, O. (2002). Oxford Dictionary. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
White, E. G. (1948). Testimonies of the Church. In S. Bacchiocchi, Christian Dress and
Adornment (p. 180). California: Mountain View.
Williams, J. (2007). Inplainsite. Retrieved December 8, 2014, from Inplainsite Website:
http:www.inplainsite.org

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QUESTIONNAIRE
To Whom It may Concern,
This questionnaire is for an internal assessment and all information given will be kept in the
strictest confidence. I am truly grateful for the time and effort you take in completing the
questions below.
Regards,
Shania Lall.
___________________
Please tick the response that is mostly likely to be correct and write on the lines where
necessary.
Gender

( ) Male

Age Group

( ) Under 12 ( ) 12-15

3
4

( ) Female

Which religion do you believe in?

( ) Hinduism ( ) Christianity

( ) 15-18

( ) 18 +

( ) Islam

( ) Others _____________

( ) None
Which religion do your parent/ guardian believe in?
( ) Hinduism ( ) Christianity
( ) Islam
( ) Others _______________
( ) None
Have you ever been exposed to any other religion?
( ) Yes
( ) No
b) If yes which religion and where? ___________________________________________
Have you ever attended any religious institutions before?
( ) Yes
( ) No
b) Do you still attend the religious institution?
( ) Yes
( ) No

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c) Why?
________________________________________________________________________
5

________________________________________________________________________
Have you in any point of your life been forced to attend a religious institution?
( ) Yes
( ) No
b) If yes, what was the reason behind this?
________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________
6 Has the teaching of Religion affects the way you live your life?
( ) Yes
( ) No
7 Do you talk about your religion with your peers?
( ) Yes
( ) No
8 Have you ever read the religious doctrines such as the holy Quran or bible before?
( ) Yes
( ) No
9 What do you get from religion?
( ) a sense of love
( ) a sense of fear
( ) inspiration
10 How has Religion impacted on the people living in your community?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
11 What are your views on Religion?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
12 How has Religion impacted on your social life?
________________________________________________________________________
13 Does Religion determine the people who you communicate with?
( ) Yes
( ) No
14 Does the church, temple or mosque involve in youth development in your community?
( ) Yes
( ) No
15 If yes, what ways do they involve in youth development?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

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16 Do you think Religion is a system organized to control human beings and why?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

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