Religion, SF, and Other Speculative Fictions.


Mind on Fire random header image

Entries Tagged as 'Ritual'

Obama’s (Secret) Prayer

July 27th, 2008 · by xJane · 3 Comments

During Obama’s recent visit to the Western Wall in Jerusalem, according to tradition, he wrote a prayer on a piece of paper and left it there. However, since he is under media scrutiny right now, it was stolen by a young seminary student (who should have known better!). While I disagree completely with its theft, […]

[Read more →]

Tags: Belief · Christianity · Church and State · Current Events · Dialog · Ethics · Gods · Judaism · Meditation & Prayer · News · Politics · Religion · Ritual · Spiritual Progressives

Spark: Religion and Death

July 12th, 2008 · by xJane · No Comments

Religious majorities are not allowing minorities to be buried in their graveyards. Fine on the outside, until one realizes that there is often only one (religious) graveyard serving a community.

[Read more →]

Tags: Belief · Church and State · Death · Ghosts · Religion · Ritual

Einstein: Religions are “childish superstition”

May 14th, 2008 · by Zach · 7 Comments

(It’s that time again – guest post from Zach time.)

(Image from Bloomsbury Auctions)
Lots of people are talking about a newly-surfaced letter by Einstein, which seems to clarify his ambiguous views on religion with the following strongly-worded statements:
The word god is for me nothing more than the expression and product of human weaknesses, the Bible a […]

[Read more →]

Tags: Atheism · Belief · Gadgets · Gender · Getting over Religion · Gods · Guest Posts · Humanism · Jana · Nature · News · Religion · Ritual

Greg Graffin of Bad Religion – at church

May 8th, 2008 · by Zach · 8 Comments

(Hello, this is Zach Alexander — you may have read my Leaving the Garden post, and this is the first of a few guest articles I’m posting while John is otherwise engaged.)

“The stuff that really brings people together, and makes us happy to live together, originates from a caring and thoughtful mind that’s been exposed […]

[Read more →]

Tags: Art · Atheism · Belief · Guest Posts · Humanism · Music · Pop Culture · Ritual · Video

Baptism

February 28th, 2008 · by xJane · 5 Comments

I think that the discussion over at Isaac’s post deserves another forum. I’m very interested in y’all’s experiences (hat-tip to my Southern linguistic roots) experiences with baptism. When you were welcomed into your (current or any number of former) church, what was the ritual of welcoming? What did you think about it? Did you stand […]

[Read more →]

Tags: Atheism · Belief · Christianity · Getting over Religion · Ritual

Birthday Tradition

February 11th, 2008 · by xJane · No Comments

this was just shared with me today: my sister’s mother-in-law wishes everyone happy birthday for everyone’s birthday. This may either be a Dutch tradition, an Indonesian tradition, a Dutch-Indonesian tradition, or just the mother-in-law in question. So she calls my sister on her husband’s birthday and says “Happy your husband’s birthday!”
I think this is awesome […]

[Read more →]

Tags: Meme · Ritual

Death.

February 11th, 2008 · by xJane · 4 Comments

When my husband went to Tibet with his father for his (the father’s) 60th birthday, they each brought me back a priceless gift. My husband brought a jewelry set that is precious to me because it signifies the moment that we both knew we would get married.
My father-in-law brought back a Buddhist mala made of […]

[Read more →]

Tags: Buddhism · Death · Ethics · Humanity · Meditation & Prayer · Personal · Ritual · Tea · Tibet

Age Old Celebrations

February 4th, 2008 · by xJane · 2 Comments

I went to a few parties this weekend, certainly more than in a normal weekend, and therefore had cause to muse about the fact that this weekend was Imbolc, a Pagan holiday marking one of the eight sections of the year (more known ones include the Solstices, May Day, and Hallowe’en). It’s one of the […]

[Read more →]

Tags: Atheism · Christianity · Doubt · Getting over Religion · Religion · Ritual

Ironically, Following Jesus’ Counsel

January 23rd, 2008 · by John · 17 Comments

To “swear not at all.”
I received a jury summons today, and after reading it, realized that I might run into some difficulties as a Quaker and an atheist. Any Quakers or atheists out there want to tell me how I can avoid swearing an oath on the Bible, so help me God?
Update: After rereading […]

[Read more →]

Tags: Atheism · Quakerism · Ritual

New Year’s Ritual

January 18th, 2008 · by xJane · No Comments

As a recovering Catholic-cum-Pagan-Atheist, I’m constantly making my own rituals. I feel the need for ritual in my life, but often don’t feel that the rituals of my parents mean anything to me.
A few years ago, I discovered a catalogue that alleged to be filled with products “by women for women”. I’ve gotten some great […]

[Read more →]

Tags: Getting over Religion · Meditation & Prayer · Personal · Ritual