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Religion

Expanding and deepening our spiritual understandings

The “stay-at-home” policy gave us lots of time for reading, and now the hotter weather provides us another reason for curling up with a book in a cool spot. Learning about various religions can help us not only to enrich our spiritual lives but also to understand our own faith tradition more deeply. Numerous easily attainable books provide descriptions and explanations about the histories, belief systems, and practices of world religions. Members of Mid Ohio Valley Interfaith have identified just of few of them for your exploration. Baha’i Faith “The Baha’i Faith: The ...

Earth, water, sky: The view from Marietta Earthworks

I am not personally a Native American and cannot speak with a “native voice” regarding deeply held traditions that have been conveyed through time largely in oral form. As an archaeologist, my focus of study is on “material culture”; that is, the objects (artifacts) and deposits (like mounds) left behind by ancient human activity. Many of these objects and physical remains emanate from religious activity and presumably can tell us something about beliefs and ritual practices. But deciphering these material clues about spiritual principles is another matter, particularly when the ...

Jainism: A tradition of non-violence

Paryushana-parva is the holiest period of the year for the followers of the Jain faith. In 2019, that eight-day period is Aug. 28 through Sept. 3. Jainism is an ancient religion of India; its origins trace from millions of years ago up to the 24th leader, Mahavira, who lived in 500 BCE. At present, there are four or five million followers, most of them living in India but also in countries around the world. Many live in the United States and Vijay Shah, a Jain and professor at West Virginia University at Parkersburg, observed, “There are a few Jain followers in the MOV area.” ...

Freedom of religion-an interfaith perspective

Freedom of religion – an interfaith perspective July 4 marks our declaration of independence. Our founding fathers then formulated the United States Constitution and its first ten amendments to bring the ideals of that declaration into reality. The First Amendment guarantees the right of both freedom from religion and freedom of religion. The establishment clause states that Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or a national religion. Thus, if Congress declared that the U.S. is a Christian country, it would be a violation of the establishment clause ...

Rev. Thomas to retire after more than 46 years of ministry

Reverend Richard Thomas is retiring from the pulpit after more than 46 years of ministry. He has been the minister in 18 United Methodist churches in Ohio, six UM churches in Indiana, and two Presbyterian churches in Missouri. He has served the past 13 years at the Tunnel-Warren Chapel Charge of the United Methodist Church. At his recent retirement reception, he was presented with a memory quilt crafted by the Sew and Sew group. The quilt blocks are embroidered with the names of the churches and charges that he has served. Pastor Richard was born in Logan, Ohio. His father worked for ...

The gift of truly letting go

Last month, I wrote of my sadness that bluebirds had not built a nest in our bluebird house for over two years. In early spring, I went through a series of disappointments each time a pair of bluebirds explored our birdhouse but didn’t stay. Then God gave me another perspective. Instead of bemoaning the fact that no bluebirds had come to stay, I needed to rejoice at seeing five pair of bluebirds up close as they were exploring the birdhouse. And I vowed to myself to let go of my disappointment over what I didn’t have and rejoice in what I did have. So I released my hopes to God and ...