Religious and spiritual news covering faith communities, religious leaders, interfaith dialogue, and spiritual practices worldwide.
Abigail Van Buren advises a prayer group member to confront a participant who hijacks meetings with gossip about a friend's mental health struggles. The columnist argues that sharing private details violates privacy and urges the group to redirect focus toward professional counseling and genuine spiritual support rather than drama.
Abigail Van Buren contends that a prayer group member hijacking meetings to gossip about a friend's personal drama violates privacy and undermines the group's purpose. She advises confronting the gossiper directly to redirect focus toward genuine support and professional counseling for the distressed individual.
Sadhguru contends that spirituality is not about becoming special or exceptional, but rather about becoming one with everything. The commentary suggests that the modern obsession with standing out leads to exhaustion and disconnection, whereas true spiritual growth involves unity and overcoming the desire for individual distinction.
The Hindu describes how Visakhapatnam residents celebrated Vinayaka Chavithi with innovative pandals featuring unique materials like bangles and nuts, despite local water crises limiting some apartment complex festivities. Traditional foods and social media engagement marked the occasion.
This commentary examines how late Roman and medieval Christian scholars utilized the concept of primal androgyny, derived from Genesis, to debate gender binaries and human nature. It suggests these theological discussions shaped historical understandings of nonbinary identities and the limits of humanity within religious frameworks.
Thomas Reese argues that cycles of violence and vengeance are self-perpetuating, preventing true balance. He contends that the Gospel text demanding forgiveness shortly after the September 11 attacks presents a profound moral challenge to break this cycle of retribution.
This piece describes the vibrant celebrations of Vinayaka Chaturthi across Tamil Nadu, India. It details traditional rituals at major temples in Chennai, Madurai, and Tiruchirappalli, including elaborate offerings and the debut of a new elephant, capturing the religious fervor and cultural continuity of the festival.
The article reports that UAE registration for the 2027 Hajj pilgrimage is open, with selection criteria and deadlines outlined by the General Authority of Islamic Affairs. It notes Saudi Arabia's strict visa enforcement and recent pilgrim statistics.
The commentary argues that Bageshwar Dham godman Dhirendra Krishna Shastri’s call for vegetarianism during Durga Puja exposes a clash between rigid purity-based faith and Bengal’s traditional Shakta practice, which historically accommodates non-vegetarian offerings. It suggests this controversy highlights divergent definitions of religious devotion within West Bengal.
Annie Lane argues that Rosh Hashanah's themes of reflection and forgiveness offer universal lessons for personal growth. She contends that replaying mistakes is a natural part of becoming wiser, encouraging readers to practice self-forgiveness and kindness in the new year.