Religious

Angels, Spirits or Ghosts

Tue, 24 Jul 2007 09:00:00 -0400

When it comes to the supernatural, few have not had a brush with eternity. Whether you attend church regularly or are the most determined doubter, the miraculous seeks out all at one point or another. Most of us have one or two fleeting incidents which we easily explain away, while an insistent few claim to have regular contact with members of the great beyond. Who are these beings who open the veil and remind us that we are not alone? Are they glorious messengers sent from God, or malevolent tormentors? Tradition gives them names, but what is the distinction between an angel, a spirit, and a ghost?

Angel, Spirit or Ghost

Faith and Culture Combine

Tue, 8 May 2007 09:00:00 -0500

Stroll into the small farming community of Shipshewana, Indiana and be surrounded by a culture rarely found anywhere. The town of around 536 people hosts about 500,000 visitors each year. What is the big attraction? This area of Northern Indiana is home to many of the Amish faith. Tourism has been encouraged by residents of Shipshewana, attracting people come from far and wide to experience the simple, beautiful life led by the Amish.

Faith and Culture Combine

Chinese Taoism

Tue, 1 May 2007 09:00:00 -0400

You are no doubt familiar with the harmonizing symbol of yin and yang: the mystical circle encasing rolling waves of black and white. Within the black wave rides a white dot, and conversely, a black dot is seen in the white wave. This ancient Chinese symbol has become popular as East opens up to West, and can be seen on billboards, signs, T-shirts, and jewelry around the world. Most know its connection to the idea of yin and yang, but few know the origin of yin and yang, or anything more of Taoist thought.

Chinese Religion Taoism

Chinese Folk Religion

Tue, 24 Apr 2007 09:00:00 -0400

To look at the statistical data today, one would assume the Chinese are not vastly a religious people. Starting in 1966 with the Cultural Revolution, organized religion has been frowned upon by the communist government as superstitious and tainted by foreigners. There are five religions officially recognized by the state today (Taoism, Buddhism, Islam, Catholicism, and Protestant Christianity); and although freedom of religion (with limitations) has been declared since the Cultural Revolution ended in 1977, the Communist party has said religious belief and party membership are incompatible.

Chinese Folk Religion

Sikh Religion, An Overview

Tue, 17 Apr 2007 09:00:00 -0400

Over five hundred years ago in Punjab, India, a son was born to a Hindi couple. The child, who was named Nanak, was expected to follow in his merchant father’s footsteps. But this child was different in many ways. He was contemplative and thoughtful. He would frequently get lost in meditation. He seemed disinterested with the things of this world. He discussed religion with his Muslim and Hindi associates.

Sikh Religion

Hinduism Basic Beliefs

Tue, 10 Apr 2007 09:00:00 -0400

There are approximately 900 million Hindus today, making Hinduism the third largest religion in the world. About 80% of India’s population regard themselves as Hindus, and 30 million more Hindus live outside India. The twentieth century has seen the expansion of the religion into the West, where its tolerance for diversity has made it an attractive alternative to traditional Western religion. In addition, the influence of Hinduism can be indirectly seen on the growing New Age movement, in practices such as yoga and meditation.

Hinduism Basic Beliefs

Holistic Meditation

Tue, 3 Apr 2007 16:06:16 -0400

We are told that meditation is natural, that when someone sleeps they go into a meditative state. To fully understand the purpose and functioning of meditation one has to observe the human as both a physical and spiritual or psychological being. From the dawn of time, meditation has been a vital part of self transformation and holistic health.

Holistic Meditation

Meditation

Tue, 27 Mar 2007 16:02:29 -0400

Through meditation, one can cultivate a wonderful inner quiet that will melt away stress and nervousness. In general, meditation produces a reduction in multiple biological systems, resulting in a state of relaxation. During meditation, the brain's activity, as mapped by a device called an electroencephalograph (EEG), alters significantly.

Meditation