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Archive: October 2007
The Real Meaning of Halloween
Samhain (the Celtic term for Halloween) was the time when the ancestors and spirits of the beloved dead would return home to share in the harvest feast.
By Starhawk | October 31, 2007; 9:02 AM ET | Comments (48)
Flight Delayed, Faith Renewed
On August 10, at around 2 in the afternoon, I should have been on the beach. I should have been surrounded by the beautiful Caribbean Sea, perhaps an umbrella drink in my hand, breathing in the wonderful healing tropical air....
By Bonnie J. Berger | October 28, 2007; 9:59 AM ET | Comments (10)
How the Muslims Saved the West
Virtually all of today’s science, technology, medicine has its roots in the empirical method, carried to full flower by the Muslims.
By Michael Hamilton Morgan | October 26, 2007; 4:11 PM ET | Comments (48)
Most Christians to Left of Far Right
Unlike Ann Coulter, most Christians believe in an authentic, inclusive and welcoming gospel in the thousands of communities where they worship.
By Michael Livingston | October 24, 2007; 8:41 AM ET | Comments (479)
Call for a Presidential Debate on Science
None of the candidates should know what questions they might face. This would force them to study as much science as possible, in itself a marvelous thing.
By Matthew Chapman | October 24, 2007; 6:10 AM ET | Comments (473)
Religions Oppressive? Look to the Sources
The reformation that is needed — across the globe — is the reassessment of the original sources of all our oppressive cultural myths and tyrannical modes of thinking.
By Abdallah Adhami | October 23, 2007; 12:41 PM ET | Comments (25)
Cutting and Keeping Deals with God
I was drawn to church by the need to light a candle and not curse the darkness. I stuffed a dollar in the offertory box that suggested a donation of 75 cents. I was in a "That's okay, God, you can keep the change" state of mind.
By Tracy Grant | October 20, 2007; 4:36 PM ET | Comments (66)
The Dalai Lama Goes to Washington
After a few billions or so years our sun also will disappear, so that’s the end of the whole world . . . to fight my interest, your interest, my place, your place, my religion, your religion – it’s silly.
By The Dalai Lama | October 20, 2007; 3:21 PM ET | Comments (47)
My Great-Grandfather and the Social Gospel
Instead of being voices for God’s kingdom on earth, too many Christians are committed to a privatized, apocalyptic faith forsaking the social commitments of Jesus
By Paul Raushenbush | October 17, 2007; 10:18 AM ET | Comments (742)
A White on White Whiteness
I found myself in a place I had never been before. It was whiter than white and there was someone there that I could not see.
By William Blazek | October 16, 2007; 10:12 AM ET | Comments (30)
Teach Your Children About Interfaith
If parents and religious leaders want their young people to develop a faith that is deep in their tradition, they should encourage, not discourage, interfaith interactions
By David Gray | October 15, 2007; 10:54 AM ET | Comments (9)
'GSD' that Sala and Her Letters Survive
My mother saved letters from the concentration camp, the letters that saved her. She had long forgotten the codes and abbreviations, but we deciphered that “GSD” meant “Gottseidanken,” or Thank God.
By Ann Kirschner | October 13, 2007; 9:46 AM ET | Comments (14)
Another Bible Belt Baptist for Peace
How is it that three sons of the Bible belt have each won the world’s most prestigious award?
By Robert Parham | October 12, 2007; 12:08 PM ET | Comments (11)
Now I Know the Dead Stay With Us
My son Justin's death made me want to die, until I spent time with a medium and felt Justin's presence -- an afterlife encounter that gave me strength to live.
By Georgianna Bloom | October 10, 2007; 8:49 AM ET | Comments (266)
A Mother's Grief, Belief and Blessing
Everyone has experienced grief and pain. And each of us has to find a way to deal with that grief and pain.
By Sally Quinn | October 10, 2007; 7:13 AM ET | Comments (51)
From Here to Security
Nuclear weapons are an affront to God. Let us make the world safer—and more faithful—by working toward their elimination.
By Joan Brown Campbell | October 10, 2007; 2:30 AM ET | Comments (1)
A Month for Remembering Millstones
A group of clergy sexual abuse survivors in the Catholic Diocese of Davenport, Iowa did not ask for a financial settlement. They asked for a millstone: a large monument in the shape of a stone used for crushing grain that...
By Nicole Sotelo | October 9, 2007; 1:37 PM ET | Comments (2)
Interfaith Cooperation in Sudan
Sudan might be the last place on earth one would expect to see creative forms of inter-religious cooperation. Yet cooperation is evident,
By Ellen F. Davis | October 8, 2007; 9:42 AM ET | Comments (2)
Welcome to This World, Lyra and Sophia
There is nothing intrinsically religious about rites of passage. So we held a humanist “Welcome to the World” ceremony for our twins Lyra and Sophia.
By Matt Cherry | October 6, 2007; 2:02 PM ET | Comments (63)
National Cathedral Hosts Quinn, Meacham Conversation
On Faith moderators Sally Quinn and Jon Meacham took part in the National Cathedral's first Sunday Forum: Critical Issues in the Light of Faith.
By David Waters | October 5, 2007; 12:19 PM ET | Comments (1)
What's So Funny?
On Faith panelist and Sufi rock star Salman Ahmad sings the theme song for the new CW TV comedy "Aliens in America." The song, "What's So Funny About Peace, Love and Understanding," was written by Nick Lowe. Salman sings the...
By Salman Ahmad | October 3, 2007; 8:41 AM ET | Comments (19)
Why the Amish Forgave a Killer
More than buggies and bonnets, forgiveness goes to the heart of Amish spirituality. The entire Amish approach to life and faith prepared them to forgive the man who shot their daughters
By David Weaver-Zercher | October 2, 2007; 9:11 AM ET | Comments (0)
The Lies We All Tell
The thing about deception is that it tends to lead to more and more distortion so it’s hard to tell where the lies end and where the truth begins.
By Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite | October 1, 2007; 11:08 AM ET | Comments (878)
Conversion a Choice, not a Requirement
HAMBURG, Germany -- Some months ago, two news reports caused excitement. One was that "4000 Germans converted to Islam last year", and the other was that a "Council of Ex-Muslims" had been established. In a secular society where the right...
By Halima Krausen | October 1, 2007; 9:30 AM ET | Comments (23)
