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E AST PROVIDENCE, R.I. | A month of harsh words between U.S. Rep. Patrick Kennedy and Roman Catholic Bishop Thomas Tobin escalated Sunday when the bishop acknowledged asking Kennedy not to receive Holy Communion. Tobin said his reasoning was because of the Democratic lawmaker’s support for abortion rights.
AMES, Iowa | The sign sits on a wooden chair, inviting all comers: “Ask an Atheist.” Whenever a student gets close, Anastasia Bodnar waves and smiles, trying to make a good first impression before eyes drift down to a word many Americans rank down there with “socialist.”
GENEVA | Four years after cartoons of the prophet Muhammad set off violent protests across the Muslim world, Islamic nations are mounting a campaign for an international treaty to protect religious symbols and beliefs from mockery. It’s essentially a ban on blasphemy that would put them on a collision course with free speech laws in the West.
When I was a child, my mother taught me a simple table grace: “God is great. God is good. Let us thank him for our food. Amen.” I taught it to my son, who added another line: “Please don’t let this make us sick.” (I wondered if he was worried about my cooking.)
Almost every pilgrim who makes the hajj, Islam’s holy pilgrimage to Mecca, brings home an unwelcome souvenir: the common cold. That, however, has never deterred tour operator Emad Elseidy, who has led hajj pilgrimage groups for about 10 years. The 42-year-old Egyptian immigrant accepts — almost embraces — the possibility of getting sick during hajj, but he thinks fears about the H1N1 virus, or swine flu, are overblown.
Where do you go to experience awe, peace and the sacred? Perhaps it’s a way to escape the stress and clatter of the world or a means to be in touch with the divine. It may be a special event or activity.
As I write this, my husband is having open heart surgery — an aortic valve replacement. I am sitting here with family and friends who are showing their support and love. Others have brought us doughnuts and sandwiches to help us endure this eight-hour surgery. This is not a time of my life I would consider to be happy. I would say this is one of the most stressful, emotional and tiring days of my life. The negatives keep popping into my head, threatening to send my heart down the pathway of anxiety, helplessness and despair. I have taught classes and given speeches exhorting others that when negative thoughts seem to push you into the dark tunnel of despair, you need to think positive thoughts. Well, I needed to practice what I preach.
Take charge of your finances The Rev. Duke Tufty, Unity Temple on the Plaza: I believe money should be viewed the same whether we are in the midst of a financial recession or not. I believe money should be viewed the same whether one has a great deal or very little, whether one has inherited money, won money or worked hard for money.
On the Sunday before Thanksgiving 25 years ago, folks from many faiths met to share a meal and give thanks for the religious liberty we enjoy in this nation. I had the privilege of presiding over that meal and those each year since.
