IN THEORY:
Thoughts on religious exemption

A coalition including Roman Catholics and Protestants are reportedly urging parents of students in Quebec primary and high schools to demand their children be exempt from taking a required ethics and religious culture course. The course teaches “the important place of Catholicism and Protestantism in Quebec’s religious heritage, discover[ing] the contributions of Judaism and native spiritualities to this religious heritage, and learn[ing] about elements of other religious traditions more recently found in Quebec society” — such as Islam and Hinduism.

FAMILY FAITH:
Take time to help thy neighbor

Matthew 19:19 tells us to love our neighbor as ourselves. Yet this can be a difficult thing to do. God’s Word puts great emphasis on us loving, supporting and demonstrating care to others. This is complicated at best when we have been raised in an individualistic society.

IN THEORY:
The secular effect on religion

During his visit to the U.S., Pope Benedict XVI praised the U.S. as a nation where strong religious beliefs can co-exist with secular society. But he later warned in a speech to American bishops that the affect of secularism, even in a subtle form, can lead religious people into promoting and accepting abortion, divorce and couples living together before marriage.

FAMILY FAITH:
He who leads does so with kindness

When I witness a leader in the church directing others with humility, I am always impressed. Sometimes younger pastors can come across as believing their knowledge makes them a bit better than the rest of the congregation. But when a minister, whether starting out or well seasoned, leads with humility, it is evident that wisdom resides within them.

IN THEORY:
Bringing many faiths to the table

The Colorado-based nonprofit Common Tables reportedly puts together dinners in which adults of varying faiths meet at least four times. Participants can talk about anything from theology to the weather. The only thing off-limits is proselytizing. The idea is simply to reach out and get to know one another’s faith and to nurture interfaith friendships.

FAMILY FAITH:
Love all others above thyself

“For it is by grace that you have been saved, through faith — and this not from yourselves, it is a gift from God — not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9, Holy Bible).

Jews celebrate annual holiday

As the sun sets tonight, millions of Jews around the world will engage in the time-honored tradition of Passover, a holiday in which the telling of a 3,000-year-old story sometimes turns into conversations about current events, and where eating a meal is less a means to consumption than a celebration of history.

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