You may wonder why someone working towards interfaith literacy keeps writing so much about one religion; Christianity. Fair question. One answer is because I already know a lot about Christianity, growing up within the faith tradition so it seemed natural to start with the familiar and then branch out as I go. The other major … Continue reading Holy Week
Journey to Understanding: My Visit to the Vatican
I recently returned from a weekend trip to Rome with my oldest daughter. With my university degree in history emphasizing the Greco-Roman world, Rome has always been a sort of a Mecca to me. I knew I would go there one day. However, because of my recent religious literacy goals, I found something unexpected drawing … Continue reading Journey to Understanding: My Visit to the Vatican
Journey to Understanding: Hinduism
As I embarked on this quest for religious literacy, one of my main goals was to overcome common misconceptions about other religions so that I might better appreciate and learn from them. I am constantly amazed as I study and talk to people just how different my outsider perspective is compared to the way they … Continue reading Journey to Understanding: Hinduism
Learning from Lent
Did you know that Mardi Gras, Fat Tuesday, Carnival, Pancake Day, Pączki Day, and many more are all names for a historically much more solemn day? Shrove Tuesday is celebrated 47 days before Easter and proceeds the Lenten season. Taken from the word "shrive" or "to absolve" this day of self reflection, confession, and repentance allows those who … Continue reading Learning from Lent
Gathering Faith from the Olympic Games
Since starting this Gathering Faith project, I have been amazed at all the opportunities to learn more about other religions. I have always loved the Olympics and my favorite part (not that the actual athletic events aren't incredible) has to be the opening ceremonies. Presented in a stunning display of pageantry, the host country has a … Continue reading Gathering Faith from the Olympic Games
Links for Interfaith Study
While working to improve your interfaith literacy, it is helpful to have some online resources. Here are a few I have found for each of the major world religions. I am just starting to compile this list so PLEASE comment below with any websites you have found helpful. I am especially interested in official church … Continue reading Links for Interfaith Study
Hungry, but Not Alone
About a month ago, my four-year-old son asked if he could participate in a fast. In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, we participate in a monthly fast in which we forgo food or water for 24 hours. This usually takes place on the 1st Sunday of every month. I wasn't about … Continue reading Hungry, but Not Alone
Interfaith Literacy
Just listened to a great podcast about the interfaith movement today. Common Knowledge is a podcast sponsored by the Interfaith Youth Core based in Chicago, Illinois. It was wonderful to hear a lot of the same thoughts that motivate my passion for this project mirrored by others from different backgrounds. I am excited to learn more … Continue reading Interfaith Literacy
Happy Tu BiShvat!
Learn more about the Jewish holiday Tu BiShvat.
Thoughts on Faith… Why the answers aren’t just given to us?
I listened to this devotional this week and loved this explanation for the necessity of faith: "Unsuccessful attempts to solve a problem encourage deep processing of the answer when it is later supplied, creating fertile ground for its encoding, in a way that simply reading [or being given] the answer cannot. -Peter C. Brown Failure is useful … Continue reading Thoughts on Faith… Why the answers aren’t just given to us?
