Religious Perspectives on Cosmetic Enhancement

Due to humanity’s frequent attempts to improve their physical appearance and attractiveness, or to reduce some hereditary congenital disabilities through cosmetic procedure or surgery, human enhancement is not a new concept. This book will focus on a certain case that is prominent in the Philippines. Marlou Arizala, a.k.a Xander Ford became famous/infamous when his group’s videos went viral on social media. He recently had a cosmetic enhancement procedure that changed his looks as well as his fate. Employing this case as a conversation starter among Canadian respondents, this book aims to identify people from different faith traditions’ reactions to and perspectives on cosmetic enhancements. Interview questions were designed and three people who identify as members of several faith traditions - including Roman Catholicism (West), Ukrainian Catholicism (East), Protestantism (United Church), Islam, Hinduism, and Sikhism—will be interviewed. With cosmetic enhancement becoming more and more popular, wouldn’t you be interested to know what your religion thinks about cosmetic enhancement?