Other Faiths
Gaza’s oldest mosque, destroyed in an airstrike, was once a temple to Philistine and Roman gods, a Byzantine and Catholic church, and had engravings of Jewish ritual objects
By Stephennie Mulder — January 19, 2024
(The Conversation) — Gaza’s Omari Mosque embodies the history of Gaza – as a site of frequent destruction, but also of renewal, writes a scholar of Islamic architecture and archaeology.
First meeting of After School Satan Club at Tennessee elementary school draws protesters
By Associated Press — January 12, 2024
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — The launch of the club Wednesday drew dozens to protest outside the school, WMC-TV reported.
What Taoism teaches about the body and being healthy
By Michael Naparstek — January 10, 2024
(The Conversation) — A scholar of Daoist rituals explains how the indigenous tradition of China understands the human body as being part of the larger cosmos.
Once protected by its remoteness, a sacred lake in Kyrgyzstan is threatened by change
By Diana Kruzman — January 5, 2024
(RNS) — On the shores of Issyk Kul are more than 130 sacred sites, including trees, mountain peaks, hot springs and tombs of important figures. But the region itself, says one local expert, represents the sacred unity of nature and humanity.
As Druze fight alongside Jewish soldiers, Israel looks back on controversial Nation-State Law
By David I. Klein — December 11, 2023
(RNS) — For many Druze, an Arabic-speaking minority in Israel, the bill was seen as an insult and ignorant of the role the Druze have played in Israel’s military history.
How Henry Kissinger enabled the Bangladeshi Hindu genocide and let us forget it
By Murali Balaji — December 8, 2023
(RNS) — The late Henry Kissinger left a legacy of supporting policies that led to disaster for millions — including those who died in the 1971 Bangladeshi genocide.
Yule – a celebration of the return of light and warmth
By Helen A. Berger — December 8, 2023
(The Conversation) — Yule, celebrated by Wiccans and many other Pagans in the Northern Hemisphere on Dec. 21, the day of the winter solstice, is a time for reflection.
Study: Most Americans are spiritual but a growing number say they are not religious
By Yonat Shimron — December 7, 2023
(RNS) — Among the spiritual but not religious, 38% say religion does more harm than good, while just 7% of religious Americans share this view.
Indiana’s appeals court hears arguments challenging abortion ban under a state religious freedom law
By Isabella Volmert — December 7, 2023
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The lawsuit argues the ban violates Jewish teachings that “a fetus attains the status of a living person only at birth."
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How sacred images in many Asian cultures incorporate divine presence and make them come ‘alive’
By Michael Naparstek — December 6, 2023
(The Conversation) — Through the power of rituals, inanimate objects can be understood to transform into agents who can see, hear, taste and respond to the concerns of those who worship them.
Opposing communities plan separate memorial services for Carlton Pearson
By Adelle M. Banks — November 29, 2023
(RNS) — ‘I want to show diversity,’ Pearson said in a recording near the end of his life, which has ended up being shown through the range of services.
‘Godzilla Minus One’ offers a profound critique of war and American pop culture
By Jim McDermott — November 29, 2023
(RNS) — The lizard god returns as a complex character reflecting his roots in postwar fears of nuclear weapons.
Timekeepers no more, rank-and-file Jehovah’s Witnesses say goodbye to tracking proselytizing hours
By Peter Smith — November 27, 2023
For the first time since 1920, leaders of the Jehovah's Witnesses have removed the hours-reporting requirement for rank-and-file adherents.
Bishop Carlton Pearson, Tulsa pastor declared heretic for views on hell, dies at 70
By Adelle M. Banks — November 20, 2023
(RNS) — 'I’d rather err on the goodness, greatness and graciousness of God than the opposite,' Pearson once said.
Parsis in Mumbai fight existential decline in aspirants to priesthood
By Priyadarshini Sen — November 14, 2023
MUMBAI, India (RNS) — With steadily declining numbers, some of India’s Zoroastrians are looking to reduce the strain of becoming a priest in order to encourage more young men to devote themselves to the rituals that sustain the world’s first monotheistic religion.
