Jenny Grant says the reason that she loves people is related to her faith.

“I believe I have the ability to love because it was given to me by God,” Jenny says. “If I can God in someone before anything else, it helps me see one human family as all created by God.”

Jenny says her “a-ha” moment came from what she experienced as a high schooler in Georgia.

Derek Earl started playing guitar and piano when he was grounded in his room in the seventh grade. At one point he wanted to be famous for his talent, but now he just sings and plays songs of faith.

Like the universal language of music, Derek finds that his faith has the power to break down barriers between people and bring them together.

“My faith is the thing that should unite people, whether you’re white or black or Hispanic or poor or rich or lived on that side of the tracks, lived on this side of the tracks.”

Lionel Jimenez says he feels free when he’s participating in his faith. He describes how certain rituals provide enlightenment, but like any other belief system there are some rules.

“There’s rules and teachings that my religion encompasses,” he says. But Lionel sees them more as ways of life that are there to guide and help believers help others.

“I never feel oppressed. I actually feel more free.”

Robert McIntosh says forgiveness is something he tries to incorporate in his interactions with others.

“I think we struggle to forgive other people but forgiveness is one of the central themes of Jesus’ teachings,” he says.

Robert says he may not be perfect at it, but he does pray for the ability to forgive and to forgive others.

“I think that’s changed how I interact with others.”

Manisha Adhikari says her faith motivates her to be and do good. It helps her to have a sense of responsibility for the world and the people around her.

“What I was taught is you always treat people the same way,” she shares. “No matter their background, no matter how they are, you treat them in a good way and the people will treat you same way that you treat them.”

Despite having experienced misunderstandings about her faith, Manisha explains: “It’s hard … because they only see from (the) surface.”

“I was always taught to respect people, no matter their religion, no matter their age, no matter their background.”

Listen as she describes her blessings, prayers, karma, and more.

Erica Jones believes that taking care of her physical body as well as the world around her is a crucial part of her faith. And she teaches young girls to do the same through conversation, prayer—and her blog.

As part of her job at a major religious organization, Erica has found blogging to be a way to reach the girls where they are and have one-on-one discussions they might not feel comfortable having in more traditional settings.

"These girls know I've been there," she shares. "I've walked through it, 'I'm on the other side and I wanna walk through this with you.'"

Listen to what else she discovered about her assignment, her faith, and her self during the heart-to-hearts.

Yashmeet Kaur believes her faith, which literally means learner or disciple, is a lot about learning.

It’s about “the desire to learn about everything around you, and about yourself.”

Fellow believer Satnam Singh agrees, adding that his faith teaches that education is what truly “liberated the human soul.”

Both Yashmeet and Satnam say their faith can be tested when they encounter hate. However, like any test, what they learn can make all the difference.

Teddy Reeves, curatorial specialist of religion for the National Museum of African American History and Culture ay the Smithsonian Institute, is married to Briana Gibson Reeves, a talented artist and actress. They are embarking together on a fascinating journey of faith.

Briana says she cherishes going through life with a partner who shares the same faith experiences. “It’s beautiful.”

Teddy adds: “To know that I have a spouse that’s praying for me, that’s encouraging me, that for me is the greatest gift that God could have given me.”

Like many people of faith, Maliha Masud describes how she sometimes faces distrust about her beliefs. She shares how she continues on, in the face of ridicule.

“In high school kids would make comments,” she begins. “It’s not easy because I’m a human. You know, of course, I’m going to get upset and angry.”

It's hard, but Maliha says she remembers something her faith teaches to combat the pressure—kindness. 

Identity is what guides Lily Colton. It’s woven seamlessly through her Jewish faith. It’s what guides her in life. 

"Judaism to me is really a set of ways to live and ways to lead yourself in the world," she shares. 

Lily says it's her faith and its history that teaches her to rally around groups who are struggling. "I really find that some of the central messages are about loving others and understanding others, and above all, doing good in the world."