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January 2011 (Vol. 10, No. 1)
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August 2011 (Vol. 10, No. 8)
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Michael Allen
America’s Grade for Church Education: F
By Joanna Infeld
WASHINGTON--The American education system is not only failing to teach youngsters basic knowledge and preparing them with a spiritual foundation, but a lack of meaningful instruction in religion is also often prevalent in churches, clerics told The Spiritual Herald.
Through no fault of their own, children are not being taught spiritual and religious lessons in public schools under the "separation of church and state" doctrine, and churches are not doing their job to provide that missing instruction.
American Christians including blacks and Hispanics, the largest overall collection of believers, mostly put their faith in Jesus Christ and do not necessarily back it up with Bible or religious study, a Pew Research Center survey found.
The two lowest performing American Christian groups who answered the 32 questions posed by the Pew Research Center were Black Protestants and Hispanic Catholics
It is perhaps not surprising that black and Hispanic Catholics rely on basic belief, as their church experience is mostly listening to and following their pastors, ministers and priests instead of engaging in any formal study of the Bible or religious texts.
Indeed, black ministers are the most revered religious leaders in African-American communities with loyal personal followers, many of them charismatic preachers who are themselves poorly educated and who inspire their congregations but do not and/or cannot offer formal religious educ...Read More
Joe Beasley, Lorraine Colville, Ph.D., and O, Aldon James Jr. attend awards ceremony
NEW YORK--Civil rights leader Joe Beasley, president of African Ascension and the Southeastern Region Director for the Rainbow-PUSH Coalition, recently received the Medal of Honor award from National Arts Club in New York City.
Beasley was honored at the National Arts Club’s Grammercy Park headquarters on October 19, 2010. Among those who paid tribute were Lorraine Colville, Ph.D., former regional director of education, U.S. Department of Education; activist and radio host Ron Daniels; Gail Davenport, Georgia State Senator; and O. Aldon James, Jr., president of the National A...Read More
Many Hindu immigrants worship at temples such as the Shiva-Vishnu Temple in California
NEW YORK--For Hindus coming to the United States, the transition to a new environment causes dramatic changes in the way they practice and think about their native religion.
And even among Indian communities established in America, there are still new obstacles that cause devotees to reexamine the way they practice these ancient traditions.
“Among South Asians you have a critical mass of population that’s very busy in community places of worship,” says Peter Gottschalk, Associate Professor of Religion at Wesleyan University.
“And community c...Read More
NEW YORK—The worst recession since the 1930s has wreaked financial havoc on nearly 40 percent of churches nationally, but—paradoxically—some of the poorest churches have seen their members increase their donations in spite of the economy.
One of the main reasons evangelical churches are weathering the storm better than others, pastors say, is the Biblical tradition of tithing, where people donate 10 percent of their income to their church.
“There is a sense of Christian duty among people who tithe, no matter what the economy,” said Matt Branau...Read More
When our animal trainer tried to use violence and force to train our family dog, Coco, we fired him. He was brutal. We knew that there was a better way of getting our Maltese puppy to obey our commands.
Within time, we found the best way was a method used by hypnotists, and that was to use repetition. By repeating over and over a command, the dog responded positively and we did not have to use brutality. Love is what the dog understands.
Coco has learned to understand English rather well. When we say “eat,” he rushes to his plate in the dining room. When we say ...Read More
WASHINGTON—As current winds blow Republicans, Democrats, liberals, conservatives and Tea Partiers across the nation, what is to be made of it on the streets of American neighborhoods?
A Bedlam of voices protest, demand change, assign blame, and see no clear solution. Indeed, they can't quite grasp what the problem, or problems, are.
The results are known, all right: millions cannot get by and see no way out. Life is a daily money struggle while millionaires and billionaires sprout in some mysterious stratosphere. Why and how is this so?
We are told this is al...Read More
Imam Shamsi Ali
NEW YORK—The controversy over a proposed Islamic cultural center near the site of the September 11th terrorist attacks has led some to question the future of Islam in American society.
But while many see the frenzy surrounding the New York mosque as a hindrance for the Muslim community, some commentators see the present moment as opportunity for Islam to forge new bonds with the nation at large.
“It can be seen as a setback, or it can be seen as a learning opportunity and as a teaching moment,” says Ebrahim Moosa, an Associate Professor Islamic Studies at...Read More
Neva Rae Fox
WASHINGTON—They project a decidedly different tone, one that is often softer, more delicate and determined.
Whether they are Christian, Jewish, Muslim or Buddhist, women in religion are on the move.
“There are still obstacles, but I see progress,” said Barbara Lewis King, Bishop-designate of the Hillside International Chapel & Truth Center, based in Atlanta.
“There are many reasons for their rise, but outstanding among them is their inner strength and devotion to God,” she added.
Over the past decades more and more women hav...Read More
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