By the Numbers Less than 1% of the world population 16 million globally (6m US, 6m Israel) Three primary sects with several subsects Orthodox Conservative Reform Began c. 1800 BC Primary Texts: Torah, Tanakh (Hebrew Bible) In the beginning … Judaism, Christianity, and Islam trace their origins to Abram as chronicled in the Torah (the first five books of the New Testament). Abram…
Category: Religion and Faith
Christianity
By the Numbers 29% of the world population 2.2 billion followers globally Largest sect: Roman Catholicism (1.2 billion) 20,000+ sects Began c. 30 AD Primary Text: The Holy Bible Timeline c. 1 AD Annunciation c. 1 AD Birth of Christ c. 30 AD Death and Resurrection of Christ The Annunciation (c. 1 AD) Through the angel…
Essential Elements of Organized Religion
Organized religion adds structure and definition to the complexities of belief and faith in God, devotion to Him, and fulfilling the desire to please Him.
Suffering and the Human Condition
Examining the experience of evil and its connection to humanity.
Fate and Free Will
Defining the concepts and examining arguments favoring each as the dominant force in human life.
Suggestions for Lenten Prayer, Fasting, and Alms-Giving
This article was originally published on quora.com as an answer to the question “How can I observe Lent this year.” Lent is a time of prayer, fasting, and alms-giving in preparation for the passion and resurrection of Christ. So, when we think of how to observe Lent, we should think of how to best prepare ourselves…
An Easter Sunday Reflection
Published in WERE OUR HEARTS NOT BURNING WITHIN US? Lenten Book of Reflections for the Church of St. Catherine of Siena in Moscow, Pennsylvania.
Why the Holidays Are Happy
Every year in December, people of the Jewish faith all over the world celebrate Hanukkah, the festival of light. During these eight blessed days they remember the glorious miracle of the Menorah at the Holy Temple of Jerusalem. The Menorah remained lit for eight days with only one day’s supply of oil. On December 25,…
Why doesn’t the Bible mention dinosaurs and cavemen?
Here is the full question from my student: In Christian teaching, the Bible mentions God creating man, trees, light, and so on. Why does the Bible not mention Dinosaurs and cavemen? While many creatures created by God are mentioned throughout the Bible, not every living being is listed by name. The answer to this question…
