Exploring Interfaith Narratives Among Young Filipinos in Faith-based Youth Organizations
Document Types
Paper Presentation
School Name
De La Salle University Senior High School
Track or Strand
Humanities and Social Science (HUMSS)
Research Advisor (Last Name, First Name, Middle Initial)
Alemania, Belle Beatriex' M.
Start Date
23-6-2025 1:30 PM
End Date
23-6-2025 3:00 PM
Zoom Link/ Room Assignment
Y503
Abstract/Executive Summary
Given the scarcity of studies on interfaith leadership beyond Roman Catholicism in the Philippine context, this study explores the lived experiences, motivations, and beliefs of youth leaders from diverse religious backgrounds, including Born Again Christianity, Buddhism, Iglesia ni Cristo, Protestantism, and Islam. Using a multiple-case narrative study, semi-structured interviews were conducted among eight youth leaders from various Faith-Based Youth Organizations and analyzed using Reissman’s Narrative Approach (2005). Findings show that leadership in FBYOs is driven by various spiritual, social, personal, and familial factors, with the most dominant being spiritual commitment, social responsibility, personal growth, and familial influence. These roles have been observed to enhance leadership skills, strengthen faith, and foster interfaith dialogue, promoting unity among diverse religious groups and beliefs. Additionally, results have shown that these FBYO leaders perceive their roles in spiritual, administrative, and interpersonal viewpoints, with discipleship, management, and planning, and reliable leadership being dominant. Moreover, the interest in joining an organization seemed to have started at a young age, while some joined due to external motivations such as making friends or personal struggles. Participants also reported gaining confidence, leadership skills, and communication skills after assuming leadership roles. Leadership, therefore, transforms the faith of Filipino youth from tradition to personal commitment, strengthening their sense of responsibility and connection to their beliefs. Hence, FBYOs should provide mentorship, leadership training, and interfaith dialogue to support youth leaders, as well as aspiring leaders, in balancing faith, service, and personal growth.
Keywords
faith-based youth organizations, leadership, interfaith dialogue, spiritual commitment
Research Theme (for Paper Presentation and Poster Presentation submissions only)
Living Culture and Contemporary Societies (LCS)
Initial Consent for Publication
yes
Statement of Originality
yes
Exploring Interfaith Narratives Among Young Filipinos in Faith-based Youth Organizations
Given the scarcity of studies on interfaith leadership beyond Roman Catholicism in the Philippine context, this study explores the lived experiences, motivations, and beliefs of youth leaders from diverse religious backgrounds, including Born Again Christianity, Buddhism, Iglesia ni Cristo, Protestantism, and Islam. Using a multiple-case narrative study, semi-structured interviews were conducted among eight youth leaders from various Faith-Based Youth Organizations and analyzed using Reissman’s Narrative Approach (2005). Findings show that leadership in FBYOs is driven by various spiritual, social, personal, and familial factors, with the most dominant being spiritual commitment, social responsibility, personal growth, and familial influence. These roles have been observed to enhance leadership skills, strengthen faith, and foster interfaith dialogue, promoting unity among diverse religious groups and beliefs. Additionally, results have shown that these FBYO leaders perceive their roles in spiritual, administrative, and interpersonal viewpoints, with discipleship, management, and planning, and reliable leadership being dominant. Moreover, the interest in joining an organization seemed to have started at a young age, while some joined due to external motivations such as making friends or personal struggles. Participants also reported gaining confidence, leadership skills, and communication skills after assuming leadership roles. Leadership, therefore, transforms the faith of Filipino youth from tradition to personal commitment, strengthening their sense of responsibility and connection to their beliefs. Hence, FBYOs should provide mentorship, leadership training, and interfaith dialogue to support youth leaders, as well as aspiring leaders, in balancing faith, service, and personal growth.
https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/conf_shsrescon/2025/paper_lcs/2
