Prof. Pam's Religion Blog » Religious Celebrations

What if Moses was on Facebook?

PH — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 21:45:12 +0000

Echoes of a Shofar

PH — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 06:34:46 +0000

The Vikings and Ramadan

PH — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 05:52:42 +0000

No, not those Vikings. In the midst of Islamo-dissing and Islamophobia, The New York Times gives us a reminder that Muslims are everywhere including the NFL.

Abdullah, a third-year safety, is a Muslim who keeps the traditional fast during the holy month of Ramadan; he cannot eat or drink from sunup to sundown. So while his teammates slugged down water and sports drinks on the sideline during the first quarter, Abdullah had to abstain until sunset, at 7:57 p.m. Abdullah went by the clock because the game was indoors.

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Being observant doesn’t have to be a headache anymore

PH — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 05:47:03 +0000

A bit late, but you know what they say about lateness. From The New York Times: there’s “a cure for the Yom Kippur Headache, a problem that afflicts many people undertaking the 25-hour fast on the Jewish High Holiday.”

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Taking World Religions classes to the streets

PH — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 15:27:58 +0000

I’ve had students go on their own to a worship service outside their own tradition, but here’s another spin on the same assignment.

Earlier this semester, Soni started a weekly “Souljourn” to explore that religious diversity, bringing students of different faiths to churches of different faiths, from Hare Krishna to Tao to Pentecostal.

On Sunday about 10 a.m., four Wiccans, a Buddhist, a Sufi and an agnostic filed up the rickety stairs to the balcony of the Virgin Mary Ethiopian Orthodox Church. Hundreds of congregants filled the pews, many men wearing suit coats, women wrapped in gauzy white scarves. They chanted joyously with the choir in Amharic, tended restless children and clapped the deep detonations of the kubaro drum.

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Ash Wednesday Foot in Mouth

PH — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 02:45:34 +0000

You may have read my essay about anti-intellectualism. Well, here is the flip side: religious ignorance. Or rather, ignorance about religious traditions. UK broadcasters pondering over that nasty looking smudge on Joe Biden’s head.

Hello! It’s called Ash Wednesday! Hello! Joe’s a Roman Catholic. Pretty good chance he’s gonna get some ashes.

But here’s where there may be some excuse: Since they were in the UK they may have been dealing with the time zone difference. Yes? Maybe? Or just clueless?

It gets “worse”. Fully story here.

Oy.

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Jewish roots remain in Los Angeles neighborhood

PH — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 20:46:07 +0000

This story from the LA Times is calling out for a sociologist or anthropologist to study.

The old man with the Santa Claus beard pulled a black yarmulke from the trunk of his Cadillac and limped across the street.

Hundreds of people had gathered outside an old synagogue in Boyle Heights for a program that looked back at the days when the neighborhood — now overwhelmingly Latino and Catholic — was the center of Jewish life in Los Angeles.

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NORAD getting ready for Christmas Eve

PH — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 03:43:22 +0000

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Advent readings

PH — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 21:29:43 +0000

I do admire my Orthodox brothers and sisters for their fortitude. On my walk Saturday (11/28) I saw my first Christmas Tree laden SUV. Ouch! It was an affront to my liturgical sensibilities. (smile)

Oh my! Another Advent! This year, as in past years, the stack of Advent books is on the table. “Next year in Jerusalem” – “Next Advent these shall be read”! Here’s the list:

Watch For The Light: Readings For Advent And Christmas. This has readings from some of my favorites (C.S. Lewis, Thomas Merton, Dorothy Day, Henri Nouwen, Madeleine L’Engle and a ton more)

Advent of the Heart: Seasonal Sermons And Prison Writings 1941-1944. This is a collection of sermons and prison writings by a German Jesuit priest martyred by the Nazis in 1945.

Advent And Christmas Wisdom From Henri J.M. Nouwen: Daily Scripture And Prayers Together With Nouwen’s Own Words (Redemptorist Pastoral Publication) and Advent and Christmas with Thomas Merton (A Redemptorist Pastoral Publication). Reflections from two of my favorite authors.

Christmastide: Prayers for Advent Through Epiphany from The Divine Hours
. I’m more accustomed to doing my own Offices although I’ve used Tickle’s The Divine Hours off and on (but mostly “off”). This collection provides a quick and convenient collection of prayers and short readings (no juggling required) for Offices through the day and night.

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Day of the Dead

PH — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 02:48:29 +0000

I’m not a big fan of this, but at least I’m beginning to be able to observe the displays without freaking out!

The “lady” – actually there are two of them – is quite tall. As tall as a library shelf. So, over 6 feet, I gather. I have to admit I did enjoy the little dog at her feet. That was cute!

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