Religion

What a striking coincidence that two of the most high profile supernatural fantasy shows on TV — ageless Supernatural, now in its eleventh season on The CW, and Preacher, just launched on AMC — revolve around the search for an absentee God. Some of the most profound theological and philosophical questions are being treated matter-of-factly and compellingly on pop TV. What is God’s active role in relation to mankind? To his Creation in general? Does God have a personality? Characteristics? Is he still the vengeful Old Testament God, or has He changed into the New Testament God of mercy?

"Scapegoats: How Islamophobia Helps Our Enemies and Threatens Our Freedoms" by Arsalan Iftikhar is a well written and passionate book defending reason and rationality. But the world is no longer a rational or reasonable place.

With a uniformly excellent cast, this bracing version of Gotthold Lessing's German Enlightenment play hits home with its then (and still) controversial view of religion: that no faith has the uniquely true message of God.

It is ironic but somehow fitting that St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland, synonymous with all things Irish, when in fact he wasn’t even Irish. Patrick was born around A.D. 390 in Roman Britain to a wealthy family and led a life of casual privilege until he was kidnapped by raiders at the age of 16 and spirited away to Ireland, where he spent more than six windswept, chilly years as a slave tending sheep in the vicinity of Killala.

Taking time this Thanksgiving season to reflect with gratitude on both the divine and human good in our lives and to pray for the world, neighbors, friends, and family is more than just a nice thing to do. It can promote our own peace and a healthier world.

The killings in Paris are part of a cycle based on erroneous beliefs and assumptions. Now is a time when we can pause and start a new cycle – a cycle of waking up to our oneness with each other, with our Mother Earth and indeed the entire universe.

ISIS? ISIL? Islamic State? Daesh? What's in a name? A lot.

Are we just matter, or are we a mixture of matter and Spirit? Or maybe even just Spirit?

During his visit to the United States, Pope Francis made the most important steps the leader of the Catholic Church can make – Christ-like ones.

I have seen in my own experience how thought is the most powerful influence on health.