Religion

With all the excitement over the election of the American Pope Leo XIV, it is appropriate to ask: what does a pope do? While a pope has several titles, the two most important would be Vicar of Christ and Successor of Peter. A vicar in...

Every day, global headlines remind us of a painful reality. From the Middle East to Eastern Europe, conflicts rage on with no end in sight. Nations fight with advanced weapons, driven by deep mistrust and fear.  History shows us that these external wars rarely bring...

Very little is known about the Amish Community. The term “Amish” conjures visions of people who are anti-progress, who are against technology, and who live in the 21st century like our forefathers did in the 18th century. In 2006, the world caught a glimpse...

Spirited debates arise every time the United States has engaged in war during the 21st century. Given the reflexive positions Americans often take during those times of high emotion, one might ask: Is there a rigorous way to consider the question whether to engage...

When I was just out of high school, serving a mission for my church, a man once told me that he couldn’t believe that Christ’s death and suffering was all that special. He was a veteran who had witnessed the horrors of war.  He had...

Deep in the faith of most Americans is the belief that there is a “Just God,” regardless of which religious faith one follows.  Even those who approach this universe primarily from a scientific view, note that “how things work” points to an order that must...

On Friday, July 29, Muslims began the New Year of 1444 with the month of Muharram. Prophet Muhammad’s migration to Medinah from Mecca (the hijrah) was such a pivotal event for Muslims that the second Caliph Omar decided that it should mark the beginning of...

Jewish teachings emphasize the importance of “rachamim,” which is usually translated as compassion or mercy. We first read about rachamim when it is used in Exodus 34:6-7 in the Hebrew Bible. It is one of the 13 attributes used to describe God. In the...

The Gospel writers often describe Jesus as rich in compassion. In a world often marked by division, busyness and indifference, his example reminds us that compassion is not just an emotion—it’s a way of life.  Jesus modeled compassion in three powerful ways, and those who...

While on vacation this summer, one morning my husband and I awoke to a loud alarm. Within seconds we realized the sound was coming from outside and was a fire alarm. We quickly left our room and went to the hotel front desk. We...