2) Double-check your references

This will save you time during your editing and proofreading process. If you do not know the difference between a priest’s stole and his chasuble, re-check your reference to prevent any hassle that may arise. You don’t need to be technical, but being specific allows you to have a more magnified and authoritative handle on the piece you’re writing.

3) Ask questions

I was raised in a Catholic family. While my father didn’t give much observance to the practices of the faith, my mother often dragged me and my sisters to Sunday mass where, after the mass, our community priest would meet us at the door of the church to acknowledge our attendance. Back then, I would ask Bible-related questions to our priest such as how come the snake can talk but the other animals can’t. He answered them with a wan smile, alluding his answers to biblical quotes.

Scripture interpretation is subjective, but you gain credibility in citing authoritative sources and figures. Moreover, when soliciting interviews, be sure to get their titles right. Be sure that you know your Pastor from your Minister or your Rabbi from your Kohen.

4) Don’t let your personal beliefs taint your story

If you’re a freethinker, can you find it in your heart to write an objective article about religion without reflecting your personal biases? Although I have a Catholic upbringing, my exposure to freethought literature in my college days has allowed me to develop a more open-minded perspective. Though I am no longer a practicing Catholic, I managed to work for the local edition of Catholic Digest and contributed articles on faith whenever my editor asked me to.

A freethinker writing about faith is like a poker player who leaves his emotion at the door. It’s not about you, it’s about your audience. Your objective is to write a piece that will add value to the lives of your audience.

5) Continue to learn

How well do you know Islam? What do Ahimsa practitioners advocate? If you choose to write about religion, then get to know more about other faiths that you are not familiar with. As usual, the Internet provides vast resources on different subjects, and you can visit your local library for further reference.

6) Get connected and join communities

Your congregation is a great source of meaty stories, and you get to stay in touch with what’s happening in your religious community. Let’s say you are writing about how your local community is conducting Sunday mass in a time where everyone is under strict lockdown. Your local parish community or priest can explain to you how they conduct holy mass online and how the solemnity compares to the traditional physical attendance.

7) There’s more to religion than mere faith

The relation between religion, politics, and the economy continues to be an important theme in political philosophy and economic theory despite the emergent consensus among liberals to separate religion and the state. You can angle your story on various ways in which religion intersects with politics, economy, and even personal relationships.

8) Understand that religious views can change

Religion is exhausting all the means to conform to the evolving norms and values of the present. The Catholic Church, for example, is re-evaluating its stand about LGBT rights. The best way to keep yourself informed is to subscribe to religious newsfeeds, podcasts, and newsletters to get updated on the latest trends in the religious sector.