'Tis the season for tolerance, but is tolerance a virtue?
Column: God Said What?
Dec 8 2005 02:09AM
There is a problem when we turn tolerance into a virtue. It lacks direction and becomes guided by prejudice. The irony is not lost on me.
Think of yourself as a cell in the body of God
Dec 8 2005 01:39AM
If you accept yourself as you are — a spiritual being on a human journey — then every moment, every situation, every flash of genius and every stupid blunder is part of an unfolding expansion far beyond your conscious understanding.
Climate change a spiritual crisis says interfaith body
Dec 8 2005 12:46AM
In support of Kyoto Protocol, WCC says "time is running out" for planet earth. Urges spiritually-minded people "to light a candle." A non-fossil-fuel candle.
U.S. Muslims to leave for Haj
Dec 8 2005 12:41AM
Thousands of American Muslims will soon travel to take part in religious observances associated with the annual Haj, or pilgrimage to Mecca. The Haj will take place in the second week of January.
The waning of waiting: Christmas in the 00s
Dec 8 2005 12:37AM
If we look closely and honestly at how we spend our time and our energies, we Americans who claim to be Christian must confess that Christ takes a back seat to consumption and comfort. We are idolaters.
Monks add fudge to fruitcake line
Dec 7 2005 02:42AM
A fire that destroyed their fruitcake stockpile was the necessity that parented their entry into fudge-making.
Column: Our Place in the Universe
Dec 7 2005 01:50AM
In the U.S. we are graced to live where we can be free to express our diversity, as well as our individual talents. The possibilities for growth that these opportunities engender are endless, and are not just defined by my limited imagination or understan
Muslim cleared in speech and religious freedom case
Dec 7 2005 01:50AM
Calling lesbian relationships a "perversion" constitutes a hostile act, according to the State of New Jersey.
Thank God (not man) for diversity
Column: Mensch Press
Dec 7 2005 12:41AM
Diversity is a fact of God's creation, not a social value to justify discrimination.
Tysons turkeys offer free downloadable prayer booklets
Dec 6 2005 02:07AM
Some cynically see trendy, opportunistic "faithing it up," while others say Tyson's Foods is a company seeking redemption.
One needs to find a time for personal reflection
Dec 6 2005 01:31AM
In the Information Age questions continue to bombard us. Just as one is answered, two more come to mind.
A mutual love for Jesus can bring Christians, Muslims together
Dec 5 2005 02:04AM
Many people are surprised to find out the Prophet Muhammad himself sought to erase any distinctions between the message he taught and that taught by Jesus. The Quran shows great respect for the sacredness of Jesus' mission.
Down but not out
Dec 5 2005 12:36AM
Woe R Us. A unscientific sampling of attitudes and voices of the past three months, gleaned during numerous frequent flier stopovers around the country.
International House of Prayer for Jerusalem
Dec 4 2005 12:55AM
Christians, Jews and Muslims, descendants of Abraham the "father of many nations," are invited to cooperate in the construction of the long-awaited "House of Prayer for All Peoples."
'I'm spiritual': A resistance to being defined
Dec 2 2005 01:41AM
COMMENTARY: FAITH IN A FRAGMENTING WORLD. As much as we resist definition in this wedge between the modern and the postmodern (if that's really where we are), we evidently still feel a need to define others.
Column: For His Glory
Dec 2 2005 01:24AM
My journey began during a time of crisis in my family and I got some wonderful advice from a man I admire. He simply said "Gio, pray as if your life depended on it." It did not take long to dawn on me, and in a way that had never happened before that it d
Science vs. Faith: they ask different questions
Column: God Said What?
Dec 2 2005 12:30AM
Science and faith are not two separate entities. They are connected because they ask corresponding questions. Science focuses on the provable "how" and faith explores the improvable but rational "why."
Beyond locusts and camel hair: understanding John the Baptist
Dec 2 2005 12:26AM
There is more to John the Baptist than his clothing and diet. His call to repentance is clear and we should do more than simply listen to what he says.
Column: Our Place in the Universe
Dec 1 2005 02:17AM
Only a community can bind together memories of events over time, and only homo sapiens have gradually uncovered the awareness of that binding. However, in our hubric haste to climb to the top of the evolutionary spiral, we have lost the very thing that ke
Gladys Knight: legendary songbird, daughter of God
Dec 1 2005 01:00AM
"Music speaks to people's spirits," says Gladys. So does family. And where do "Pips" come from? You'll find out here.
A Sikh Thanksgiving in Queens
Dec 1 2005 12:49AM
The Center is across the street from a synagogue, and down the street from a Protestant Chinese church. Representatives from the Jewish, Hindu, Muslim, and Buddhist communities, along with police and Queens Court officials, gathered at the temple. Though
Curb thy tongue
Nov 30 2005 01:25AM
The Southern Baptist Convention, which already forbids missionaries from "speaking in tongues" in public worship, has voted to amend its list of missionary qualifications to exclude those who use a "prayer language" in private.
Fight or flight?
Nov 30 2005 01:12AM
Clearly the soldier disconnected from God needs to have me fight. Just as clearly the terrorist disconnected from God needs to have me flee. Both are willing to kill me. But if Jesus and Gandhi are right then I am to stand firm against the kidnapper, as I
Orthodox outreach sponsors a new Torah in Northern Virginia
Column: Mensch Press
Nov 30 2005 12:24AM
Now there's a choice on Saturday — duke it out at the shopping "maul" or enhance your relationship with God by studying the new Torah at Chabad Center.
First abortion case of the new Roberts Supreme Court
Nov 29 2005 01:59AM
Planned Parenthood challenges the right of parents to be informed in advance for a minor child to obtain an abortion. Buzz increases about how a Senate nod for Samuel Alito's appointment will affect future cases of this type.
'Christmas' or generic 'holidays'?
Nov 29 2005 01:45AM
It's still a totally commercial sales opportunity for the stores, but sticking the word "Christmas" back in the ads seems to comfort people and make them feel Christmas has somehow been saved.
Going to Peace. We have to step out and find the calm
Nov 29 2005 12:41AM
Peace is more than an imaginary state of being or something won through strength training. It is a matter of seeking.
Capture the heart
Nov 28 2005 01:16AM
Be careful what you allow into your heart. Sure, life can be compared to a game, but our real-life decisions often have eternal consequences.
Baha'i meeting pulsates with African drums and energy
Nov 28 2005 12:38AM
A new and growing feature of Baha'i community life is community devotional meetings designed to engage the world at large.
We are God-beings in the making!
Nov 27 2005 02:24AM
Converted from carnal to divine? Transformed from fallen human to heavenly being? What exactly is the end result of our conversion process? What are we literally destined to become?
A Muslim response to Dennis Prager's 'five questions'
Nov 27 2005 01:33AM
Blame Muslims for their misdeeds, but don't blame Islam. All major faiths have people who have committed atrocities in the name of their religion. But no faith should be held responsible for the crimes of a few individuals.
Attitude of gratitude - Part One
Nov 27 2005 01:25AM
I got angry at a broken power tool and suddenly I knew I was way, way overdue to count the many blessings in my life. This is the first of two parts.
Terrorism is Islam's enemy too
Nov 27 2005 12:49AM
Terrorists should be viewed as members of organized crime, made unique only by their attempts to gain legitimacy through false invocations of faith.
Donors urged to make good on pledges to save Pakistan quake survivors
Nov 27 2005 12:34AM
The first snow fell in Kashmir this past week. Without immediate and major funds for food, for further shelter and medical aid, winter and disease will conspire to produce significant and further death and suffering.
The First Sunday of Advent - God tells us to have expectations
Nov 25 2005 02:15AM
The first part of Advent is concerned with Jesus' return at the end of time and that's what we hear in the Gospel. Within the span of five short verses, Jesus uses the word "watch" four times. Obviously, it's something He wants us to do.
If only God would command me to do something I am already happily doing
Column: God Said What?
Nov 25 2005 01:41AM
The thing that upset Jonah so much (and got him a few days detention inside a fish) is that he wanted God to destroy the Ninevites. But God wanted him to go tell Nineveh to repent so they could be forgiven. God forbid that they would actually do it.
Column: For His Glory
Nov 25 2005 12:49AM
But what does that mean in terms of how we walk our talk? A lot of people claim to be one with the kingdom of heaven. Check your inventory. If you're lacking inner peace and a sense of purpose, chances are you are not yet a part of it.
On being spiritual - Part One
Nov 25 2005 12:24AM
What do we mean when we say, "I'm spiritual?" The word "spiritual" has become an empty cliche. So what are we really trying to say?
Column: Our Place in the Universe
Nov 23 2005 01:38AM
I want to grow old in the way of the forest — slowly, gracefully letting go bit by bit, to finally become one small, indispensable detail in the growth and expansion of the entire forest.
U.S. troops will pray live with friends, family on Thanksgiving
Nov 23 2005 01:22AM
Interactive prayer begins at 6 a.m. (EST). U.S. troops in Iraq will join over the phone at 2 p.m.
Saddleback Church conference addresses HIV/AIDS
Nov 23 2005 01:20AM
Global AIDS is seen as one of the "five Goliaths" threatening humanity: spiritual emptiness, egocentric leadership, extreme poverty, pandemic illness and illiteracy.
On the 8th day, God made us all some chicken and waffles
Nov 23 2005 01:00AM
In soul food you can't separate the spirit from the eating. The soul of the African-American is found in all its traditions, but nowhere as intensely as in the bonding of a shared cuisine. We go in quest of the origin of fried chicken and waffles.
iGod
Nov 22 2005 02:27AM
Referred to by some as "iGod," Christian podcast shows and Roman Catholic podcasts from the Vatican have proven a huge hit.
Thanksgiving break?
Nov 21 2005 02:37AM
If Jesus and his disciples had stuck with their plan to take a well deserved day off, there would have been no feeding of the 5,000 — no miracle of fishes and loaves.
Scarlet Letter: a Christian with AIDS
Nov 21 2005 01:56AM
I look past the stigma of being a Christian writer with AIDS, and make my offering. God promises that everything works together for good, for those of us who are called according to His wonderful purpose.
Column: For His Glory
Nov 21 2005 01:25AM
However, even in the face of unrelenting tragedy and death on a global scale, God is the righteous judge. Ultimately it is God who keeps the score, and He always bats last.
The Amman attacks and the struggle for Islam's soul
Nov 21 2005 12:24AM
Al-Qaeda is a religious ideology masquerading as a political movement. Defeating the west is secondary to transforming Muslim identity.
Addicted to being in a hurry
Nov 18 2005 01:17AM
A dog chasing its tail has nothing on us. We are in such a hurry we don't take time to remember who we are and what we were put on this earth for.
Column: Our Place in the Universe
Nov 18 2005 01:12AM
Faith, truth and commitment are absolute and unchanging for me. In order to be whole, you must commit to knowing who you are. Then, no matter where you find yourself, you will grow in your own season.
Untangling racism: where are the prophets?
Nov 17 2005 12:53AM
Folks on this good, green Iowa earth tend to say, "There's no racism here." The truth is, we live in a world where people separate themselves...