20 prompts in Non-Fiction

Religion writing prompts

Faith, practice and doubt, explored in essays and personal reflection.

All 20 Religion prompts

Showing 1 to 10
  1. Explore the role of religion in promoting social justice and change. Discuss specific examples where religious doctrines have been used to advocate for equality, environmental stewardship, or peace, analyzing both the successes and challenges.

  2. Write a personal essay exploring a moment in your life when your religious beliefs were challenged or transformed. Discuss the circumstances, your thought process, and the eventual outcome.

  3. Explore the influence of a major religious figure in history, focusing not just on their theological impact but also on their philosophy of social justice and reform. Analyze how their teachings resonate in today's societal structure.

  4. Document a personal or observed religious tradition in intricate detail, capturing the sensory experiences, the emotional connections shared by participants, and the spiritual significance of the ritual.

  5. Write an essay reflecting on a personal religious experience that significantly changed your perspective on faith. Include the circumstances leading up to the event, the event itself, and how it altered your views or daily life.

  6. Create a profile of a religious leader who has had a profound impact on a faith community. Describe their upbringing, calling to leadership, challenges faced, and their contributions to the religion’s development, including any reforms or charitable work.

  7. Interview someone from a religious background different from yours. Write about their perspectives on faith, worship, the divine, and how religion impacts their daily lives.

  8. Investigate the intersection of technology and religion. How are modern religious communities using technology to transform worship, outreach, and community building? Discuss both the benefits and potential drawbacks of this relationship.

  9. Compare and contrast the religious ceremonies of two different faiths, focusing on their symbolism, meaning, and the role they play in the lives of adherents. Include personal anecdotes or interviews to give depth to the practices described.

  10. Write about a moment in your life when your religious faith was challenged. How did you react, and what impact did this challenge have on your beliefs moving forward?

Good to know

Writing religion, answered.

How long should a religion piece be?

For a first draft, aim for an essay or article: 800 to 2,500 words. That's a draft you can finish in a sitting or two. If the idea keeps growing, let it: plenty of books started as a fifteen-minute sprint.

What do readers expect from religion and spirituality books?

Faith, meaning and practice for the questions that don't go away. Most readers come looking for sincerity and depth; practices to try; stories of faith or seeking; respect for the reader's tradition. Know which reader you're writing for. A devotional and a book of comparative religion speak to very different people.

Which religion prompt should I start with?

Read down the list until one makes you want to argue, or remember something. That's the one. Can't choose? Press "Pick one at random" and write whatever comes up.

How do I make a religion prompt my own?

Change one thing the prompt takes for granted. Three ideas that suit religion: open with a specific story, then widen out to the big idea; write for a curious friend, not an expert; end with something the reader can do or think about today.

A prompt is a door. Walk through it.

When a sprint turns into something, give it a home: chapters, daily word goals, and readers when you're ready.

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