http://odeo.com/channels/74986-Interfaith-Voices-Podcast-hour-long-version InterfaithVoices no Interfaith Voices provides engaging and informative discussion on the key public issues of our day through the lenses of many different faith perspectives. We foster religious tolerance and educate our listeners on the broad diversity of religious traditions and viewpoints in the United States. This podcast feed is for the hour-long version of the program. Interfaith Voices provides engaging and informative discussion on the key public issues of our day through the lenses of many different faith perspectives. We foster religious tolerance and educate our listeners on the broad diversity of religious traditions and viewpoints in the United States. This podcast feed is for the hour-long version of the program. Interfaith Voices is about one of the most misunderstood topics in the news today-- the role of religion in shaping our world. As one of the few public radio shows on the airwaves exclusively about faith, we strive to fill in the gaps and foster religious en 40 Wed, 11 Nov 2009 10:21:38 -0800 Wed, 11 Nov 2009 10:21:38 -0800 Spirituality http://odeo.com/episodes/25443117-Extremism-at-Both-Ends-of-the-God-Spectrum Evangelicals and Atheists...Strange Bedfellows? Frank Schaeffer helped build the Evangelical movement -- that is until he decided it was full of "crazy people".  He left the movement and went on to write a book called Crazy for God.  Schaeffer's new book suggests that those on the other end of extremism, the so-called "New Atheists," are just as crazy.  He joins us to explain why Evangelical fundamentalists and Atheists are more similar than you might think. Frank Schaeffer, author of Patience With God: Faith for People Who Don't Like Religion (Or Atheism) Faith and Fort Hood Begins At: timecode On November 5th, Major Nidal Malik Hasan killed 13 and wounded 42 in a mass shooting at Fort Hood in Texas.  Even before the details of the story began to emerge, his Muslim faith became a media focus.  Shahed Amanullah weighs in on the way the case has been handled by the media, the military, and the Muslim community. Shahed Amanullah, Editor-in-... Evangelicals and Atheists...Strange Bedfellows? Frank Schaeffer helped build the Evangelical movement -- that is until he decided it was full of "crazy people".  He left the movement and went on to write a book called Crazy for God.  Schaeffer's new book suggests that those on the other end of extremism, the so-called "New Atheists," are just as crazy.  He joins us to explain why Evangelical fundamentalists and Atheists are more similar than you might think. Frank Schaeffer, author of Patience With God: Faith for People Who Don't Like Religion (Or Atheism) Faith and Fort Hood Begins At: timecode On November 5th, Major Nidal Malik Hasan killed 13 and wounded 42 in a mass shooting at Fort Hood in Texas.  Even before the details of the story began to emerge, his Muslim faith became a media focus.  Shahed Amanullah weighs in on the way the case has been handled by the media, the military, and the Muslim community. Shahed Amanullah, Editor-in-Chief of Altmuslim.com Click here to listen to the full interview "Where is your brother?" Begins At: timecode Reverand Rob Hardies provides an insightful commentary about this week's execution of "DC Sniper" John Allen Muhammad. Rev. Rob Hardies, Senior Minister of All Souls Church, Unitarian in Washington, DC   The "Sweat Lodge" that Killed Begins At: timecode In October, three people died and more than a dozen were injured in a botched sweat lodge ceremony in Arizona, conducted by self-help guru James Arthur Ray.  But what kind of sweat lodge was this?  Laura Kwerel talks to J.J. Hensley, a reporter for The Arizona Republic who has been closely following this story. Pictured: Sedona, Arizona, the city where the lethal sweat lodge ceremony occurred J.J. Hensley of The Arizona Republic Interfaith Voices Helps Build a Sweat Lodge Begins At: timecode Our own Laura Kwerel and former assistant producer Mike Leard went to West Virginia to build a sweat lodge in the Lakota tradition, and brought us this story. Click here to see pictures of the sweat lodge construction, and click here to listen to the full interview Evangelicals and Atheists...Strange Bedfellows? Frank Schaeffer helped build the Evangelical movement -- that is until he decided it was full of "crazy people".  He left the movement and went on to write a book called Crazy for God.  Schaeffer's new book suggests that those on the other end of extremism, the so-called "New Atheists," are just as crazy.  He joins us to explain why Evangelical fundamentalists and Atheists are more similar than you might think. Frank Schaeffer, author of Patience With God: Faith for People Who Don't Like Religion (Or Atheism) Faith and Fort Hood Begins At: timecode On November 5th, Major Nidal Malik Hasan killed 13 and wounded 42 in a mass shooting at Fort Hood in Texas.  Even before the details of the story began to emerge, his Muslim faith became a media focus.  Shahed Amanullah weighs in on the way the case has been handled by the media, the military, and the Muslim community. Shahed Amanullah, Editor-in-Chief of Altmuslim.com Click here to listen to the full interview "Where is your brother?" Begins At: timecode Reverand Rob Hardies provides an insightful commentary about this week's execution of "DC Sniper" John Allen Muhammad. Rev. Rob Hardies, Senior Minister of All Souls Church, Unitarian in Washington, DC   The "Sweat Lodge" that Killed Begins At: timecode In October, three people died and more than a dozen were injured in a botched sweat lodge ceremony in Arizona, conducted by self-help guru James Arthur Ray.  But what kind of sweat lodge was this?  Laura Kwerel talks to J.J. Hensley, a reporter for The Arizona Republic who has been closely following this story. Pictured: Sedona, Arizona, the city where the lethal sweat lodge ceremony occurred J.J. Hensley of The Arizona Republic Interfaith Voices Helps Build a Sweat Lodge Begins At: timecode Our own Laura Kwerel and former assistant producer Mike Leard went to West Virginia to build a sweat lodge in the Lakota tradition, and brought us this story. Click here to see pictures of the sweat lodge construction, and click here to listen to the full interview tag:odeo.com,2009-11-11,25443117 Wed, 11 Nov 2009 10:21:38 -0800 no Interfaith Voices Podcast (hour-long version) Religion & Spirituality, 2009 http://odeo.com/episodes/25413708-When-Religion-Kills A "Korean Exorcism"...Or Something Else? What happens when religion goes horribly, fatally, wrong?  Take, for instance, the case of Rayoung Kim.  Last summer, the 18-year-old was found unconscious in her home in suburban Washington, DC.  She later died, the victim of blunt force and asphyxiation.  Police suspect she was the subject of an ancient Korean ritual that resembles an exorcism. But what really happened to the Virginia teen? First we hear Kim’s story from Tom Jackman, the Washington Post reporter who broke the news. Then we speak to an anthropologist who has studied Korean shamanism for more than thirty years.  She says Kim’s alleged exorcism is a far cry from the tradition she knows.   Pictured: The performance of a mudang, or Korean shaman (1805). Tom Jackman, Washington Post reporter Laurel Kendall, Curator and Chair of Anthropology American Museum of Natural History Faith Healing and the Law Begins at 22 min 30 sec Most... A "Korean Exorcism"...Or Something Else? What happens when religion goes horribly, fatally, wrong?  Take, for instance, the case of Rayoung Kim.  Last summer, the 18-year-old was found unconscious in her home in suburban Washington, DC.  She later died, the victim of blunt force and asphyxiation.  Police suspect she was the subject of an ancient Korean ritual that resembles an exorcism. But what really happened to the Virginia teen? First we hear Kim’s story from Tom Jackman, the Washington Post reporter who broke the news. Then we speak to an anthropologist who has studied Korean shamanism for more than thirty years.  She says Kim’s alleged exorcism is a far cry from the tradition she knows.   Pictured: The performance of a mudang, or Korean shaman (1805). Tom Jackman, Washington Post reporter Laurel Kendall, Curator and Chair of Anthropology American Museum of Natural History Faith Healing and the Law Begins at 22 min 30 sec Most spiritual healers don’t intend to kill the people they’re trying to help.  So when the unthinkable happens, how should the law prosecute these accidental assassins?  Sean Peters examines the complex web of legal and ethical questions that surface when faith turns deadly. Shawn Peters, author of When Prayer Fails: Faith Healing, Children, and the Law The Other Side of the Wall Begins at 34 min 6 sec The Wailing Wall is one of the holiest sites in Jerusalem, the spot where Jews have gone to pray and mourn for two thousand years.  And it is segregated by gender—one half is designated for men, one half for women. In 2002, Jay Ladin went to the wall to pray with his son. Six years later he returned—this time as his true self: a woman named Joy.  This is Joy’s story; of faith and family, gender and space, of a journey from male to female. Pictured: The wall's Mechitza, or partition dividing men and women. Joy Ladin, author of Transmigration: Poems and an upcoming memoir, Inside Out: Confessions of a Woman Caught in the Act of Becoming A "Korean Exorcism"...Or Something Else? What happens when religion goes horribly, fatally, wrong?  Take, for instance, the case of Rayoung Kim.  Last summer, the 18-year-old was found unconscious in her home in suburban Washington, DC.  She later died, the victim of blunt force and asphyxiation.  Police suspect she was the subject of an ancient Korean ritual that resembles an exorcism. But what really happened to the Virginia teen? First we hear Kim’s story from Tom Jackman, the Washington Post reporter who broke the news. Then we speak to an anthropologist who has studied Korean shamanism for more than thirty years.  She says Kim’s alleged exorcism is a far cry from the tradition she knows.   Pictured: The performance of a mudang, or Korean shaman (1805). Tom Jackman, Washington Post reporter Laurel Kendall, Curator and Chair of Anthropology American Museum of Natural History Faith Healing and the Law Begins at 22 min 30 sec Most spiritual healers don’t intend to kill the people they’re trying to help.  So when the unthinkable happens, how should the law prosecute these accidental assassins?  Sean Peters examines the complex web of legal and ethical questions that surface when faith turns deadly. Shawn Peters, author of When Prayer Fails: Faith Healing, Children, and the Law The Other Side of the Wall Begins at 34 min 6 sec The Wailing Wall is one of the holiest sites in Jerusalem, the spot where Jews have gone to pray and mourn for two thousand years.  And it is segregated by gender—one half is designated for men, one half for women. In 2002, Jay Ladin went to the wall to pray with his son. Six years later he returned—this time as his true self: a woman named Joy.  This is Joy’s story; of faith and family, gender and space, of a journey from male to female. Pictured: The wall's Mechitza, or partition dividing men and women. Joy Ladin, author of Transmigration: Poems and an upcoming memoir, Inside Out: Confessions of a Woman Caught in the Act of Becoming tag:odeo.com,2009-11-04,25413708 Wed, 04 Nov 2009 10:30:07 -0800 no Interfaith Voices Podcast (hour-long version) Religion & Spirituality, 2005 http://odeo.com/episodes/25393753-Cracking-Open-the-World-s-Best-Selling-Book Reading the Bible: Why and How Prof. Timothy Beal has a term for the weird feeling some of his students have about studying scripture: Bible Baggage.  He says the anxiety comes from all sorts of places-- bad memories of Sunday school, brushes with Bible thumpers, and simply feeling unauthorized to read it. But whether you're religious or not, he says, this much is true: the Bible's stories form the core of Western civilization.  In his new book, Beal makes a case for reading, and yes, enjoying, the Bible. Pictured: Moses With the Ten Commandments by Rembrandt, c.1659 Timothy Beal, author of Biblical Literacy: The Essential Bible Stories Everyone Needs to Know Vatican to Anglicans: Let's Make a Deal Begins at 22 min 30 sec It’s one of the boldest moves to a Protestant Church since the Reformation.  On October 20th, the Vatican made an offer to Anglicans who don’t like their church’s liberal policies on gay bishops and women priests: Come join us.&nbsp... Reading the Bible: Why and How Prof. Timothy Beal has a term for the weird feeling some of his students have about studying scripture: Bible Baggage.  He says the anxiety comes from all sorts of places-- bad memories of Sunday school, brushes with Bible thumpers, and simply feeling unauthorized to read it. But whether you're religious or not, he says, this much is true: the Bible's stories form the core of Western civilization.  In his new book, Beal makes a case for reading, and yes, enjoying, the Bible. Pictured: Moses With the Ten Commandments by Rembrandt, c.1659 Timothy Beal, author of Biblical Literacy: The Essential Bible Stories Everyone Needs to Know Vatican to Anglicans: Let's Make a Deal Begins at 22 min 30 sec It’s one of the boldest moves to a Protestant Church since the Reformation.  On October 20th, the Vatican made an offer to Anglicans who don’t like their church’s liberal policies on gay bishops and women priests: Come join us.  The deal would allow Anglicans to convert to Catholicism while keeping many parts of the faith they do enjoy, like their songs, prayers and married clergy.  It is, in a sense, an Anglican way to be Catholic.  Thomas Reese, S.J., Senior Fellow of Woodstock Theological Center at Georgetown University Turkey's Most Famous Preacher Begins at 39 min 16 sec Some 85 years ago, Turkey—a predominately Muslim country—became an officially secular state, sparking an emotional debate over the role of religion in government.  Into that mix walks Fethullah Gulen, a controversial Muslim preacher and activist.  To his followers, he is a prophet of peace and dialogue.  To his secular critics, he is a trojan horse of an Islamic state.   B. Jill Carroll, author of a recent book on Gulen, offers her take. Our story first aired in June 2008. B. Jill Carroll, Executive Director of the Boniuk Center for the Study and Advancement of Religious Tolerance at Rice University  Reading the Bible: Why and How Prof. Timothy Beal has a term for the weird feeling some of his students have about studying scripture: Bible Baggage.  He says the anxiety comes from all sorts of places-- bad memories of Sunday school, brushes with Bible thumpers, and simply feeling unauthorized to read it. But whether you're religious or not, he says, this much is true: the Bible's stories form the core of Western civilization.  In his new book, Beal makes a case for reading, and yes, enjoying, the Bible. Pictured: Moses With the Ten Commandments by Rembrandt, c.1659 Timothy Beal, author of Biblical Literacy: The Essential Bible Stories Everyone Needs to Know Vatican to Anglicans: Let's Make a Deal Begins at 22 min 30 sec It’s one of the boldest moves to a Protestant Church since the Reformation.  On October 20th, the Vatican made an offer to Anglicans who don’t like their church’s liberal policies on gay bishops and women priests: Come join us.  The deal would allow Anglicans to convert to Catholicism while keeping many parts of the faith they do enjoy, like their songs, prayers and married clergy.  It is, in a sense, an Anglican way to be Catholic.  Thomas Reese, S.J., Senior Fellow of Woodstock Theological Center at Georgetown University Turkey's Most Famous Preacher Begins at 39 min 16 sec Some 85 years ago, Turkey—a predominately Muslim country—became an officially secular state, sparking an emotional debate over the role of religion in government.  Into that mix walks Fethullah Gulen, a controversial Muslim preacher and activist.  To his followers, he is a prophet of peace and dialogue.  To his secular critics, he is a trojan horse of an Islamic state.   B. Jill Carroll, author of a recent book on Gulen, offers her take. Our story first aired in June 2008. B. Jill Carroll, Executive Director of the Boniuk Center for the Study and Advancement of Religious Tolerance at Rice University  tag:odeo.com,2009-10-29,25393753 Thu, 29 Oct 2009 08:47:25 -0700 no Interfaith Voices Podcast (hour-long version) Religion & Spirituality, 2009 http://odeo.com/episodes/25357352-Everything-You-Always-Wanted-To-Know-About-Judaism-and-Sex-But-Were-Afraid-to-Ask Heavenly Sex She’s Jewish, she’s 4-foot-7, and she likes to see the Torah as an ancient sex manual.  The one and only Dr. Ruth explains the sanctity of sex - good sex - in Jewish law. Dr. Ruth Westheimer, sex therapist and author of Heavenly Sex: Sexuality in the Jewish Tradition The Scalpel and the Soul Begins at 22 min 40 sec How should surgeons, trained so carefully to rely on hard facts, explain miraculous recoveries, out-of-body experiences and other-worldly visions in the operating room? Our guest, Dr. Allan Hamilton, is a Harvard-trained neurosurgeon with 30 years of experience.  Once a skeptic, he says he now sees these events as signs of a power far greater than ourselves. Dr. Allan Hamilton, author of The Scalpel and the Soul: Encounters with Surgery, the Supernatural, and the Healing Power of Hope Heavenly Sex She’s Jewish, she’s 4-foot-7, and she likes to see the Torah as an ancient sex manual.  The one and only Dr. Ruth explains the sanctity of sex - good sex - in Jewish law. Dr. Ruth Westheimer, sex therapist and author of Heavenly Sex: Sexuality in the Jewish Tradition The Scalpel and the Soul Begins at 22 min 40 sec How should surgeons, trained so carefully to rely on hard facts, explain miraculous recoveries, out-of-body experiences and other-worldly visions in the operating room? Our guest, Dr. Allan Hamilton, is a Harvard-trained neurosurgeon with 30 years of experience.  Once a skeptic, he says he now sees these events as signs of a power far greater than ourselves. Dr. Allan Hamilton, author of The Scalpel and the Soul: Encounters with Surgery, the Supernatural, and the Healing Power of Hope Heavenly Sex She’s Jewish, she’s 4-foot-7, and she likes to see the Torah as an ancient sex manual.  The one and only Dr. Ruth explains the sanctity of sex - good sex - in Jewish law. Dr. Ruth Westheimer, sex therapist and author of Heavenly Sex: Sexuality in the Jewish Tradition The Scalpel and the Soul Begins at 22 min 40 sec How should surgeons, trained so carefully to rely on hard facts, explain miraculous recoveries, out-of-body experiences and other-worldly visions in the operating room? Our guest, Dr. Allan Hamilton, is a Harvard-trained neurosurgeon with 30 years of experience.  Once a skeptic, he says he now sees these events as signs of a power far greater than ourselves. Dr. Allan Hamilton, author of The Scalpel and the Soul: Encounters with Surgery, the Supernatural, and the Healing Power of Hope tag:odeo.com,2009-10-22,25357352 Thu, 22 Oct 2009 08:15:57 -0700 no Interfaith Voices Podcast (hour-long version) Religion & Spirituality, 2005 http://odeo.com/episodes/25299235-Reclaiming-a-Misunderstood-Apostle Paul the Radical The apostle Paul has a mixed reputation. On the one hand he’s known as the quintessential Christian, the man who wrote almost half of the New Testament.  On the other, he’s long been read as a misogynistic boor, urging slaves to obey their masters and wives to obey their husbands.  Marcus Borg says we’ve got it all wrong, and reveals the crucial fact scholars have known for decades: many of Paul’s letters were written by somebody else. Pictured: Saint Paul Writing His Epistles, 16th Century Marcus Borg, co-author of The First Paul: Reclaiming the Radical Visionary Behind the Church’s Conservative Icon Paul the Jew Begins at 22 min 45 Many people trace the roots of anti-Semitism back to a single moment: Paul’s conversion on the road to Damascus. That’s when, according to traditional teachings, Paul rejected his Judaism for the new, improved version: Christianity.   Bible scholar Pamela Eisenbaum says this ... Paul the Radical The apostle Paul has a mixed reputation. On the one hand he’s known as the quintessential Christian, the man who wrote almost half of the New Testament.  On the other, he’s long been read as a misogynistic boor, urging slaves to obey their masters and wives to obey their husbands.  Marcus Borg says we’ve got it all wrong, and reveals the crucial fact scholars have known for decades: many of Paul’s letters were written by somebody else. Pictured: Saint Paul Writing His Epistles, 16th Century Marcus Borg, co-author of The First Paul: Reclaiming the Radical Visionary Behind the Church’s Conservative Icon Paul the Jew Begins at 22 min 45 Many people trace the roots of anti-Semitism back to a single moment: Paul’s conversion on the road to Damascus. That’s when, according to traditional teachings, Paul rejected his Judaism for the new, improved version: Christianity.   Bible scholar Pamela Eisenbaum says this interpretation of Paul is not only wrong, it’s dangerous. Pamela Eisenbaum, author of Paul Was Not a Christian: The Original Message of a Misunderstood Apostle The Soul of a Dog Begins at 33 min 45 sec Do all dogs really go to heaven?  Jon Katz says for many pet lovers, they do.  We've come a long way from the teachings of Aristotle and Thomas Aquinas, who believed dogs, cats and other creatures were inferior to humans.  These days, he says, many people see their pets as spiritual equals, with a sense of self, purpose and free will. Jon Katz, author of Soul of a Dog: Reflections on the Spirits of the Animals of Bedlam Farm "You Can Tell When He's in the Building' Begins at 44 min During his five-day visit to Washington, D.C. last week, His Holiness the Dalai Lama met with state officials, politicians and not a few celebrities.  But he also took the time to teach. Reporter Elizabeth Ryan sat in on one of his lectures, and asked the audience to put the experience into words. Produced by Elizabeth Ryan Soundscapes: Sikh Hymns Begins 46 min 5 sec This week we hear one final sound in our series, the Soundscapes of Faith.  Shabad Kirtan is the mystical poetry of Sikhism, set to music.  Pictured: Mardana Bhai, the first Sikh musician Rajwant Singh, Chairman of the Sikh Council on Religion and Education Paul the Radical The apostle Paul has a mixed reputation. On the one hand he’s known as the quintessential Christian, the man who wrote almost half of the New Testament.  On the other, he’s long been read as a misogynistic boor, urging slaves to obey their masters and wives to obey their husbands.  Marcus Borg says we’ve got it all wrong, and reveals the crucial fact scholars have known for decades: many of Paul’s letters were written by somebody else. Pictured: Saint Paul Writing His Epistles, 16th Century Marcus Borg, co-author of The First Paul: Reclaiming the Radical Visionary Behind the Church’s Conservative Icon Paul the Jew Begins at 22 min 45 Many people trace the roots of anti-Semitism back to a single moment: Paul’s conversion on the road to Damascus. That’s when, according to traditional teachings, Paul rejected his Judaism for the new, improved version: Christianity.   Bible scholar Pamela Eisenbaum says this interpretation of Paul is not only wrong, it’s dangerous. Pamela Eisenbaum, author of Paul Was Not a Christian: The Original Message of a Misunderstood Apostle The Soul of a Dog Begins at 33 min 45 sec Do all dogs really go to heaven?  Jon Katz says for many pet lovers, they do.  We've come a long way from the teachings of Aristotle and Thomas Aquinas, who believed dogs, cats and other creatures were inferior to humans.  These days, he says, many people see their pets as spiritual equals, with a sense of self, purpose and free will. Jon Katz, author of Soul of a Dog: Reflections on the Spirits of the Animals of Bedlam Farm "You Can Tell When He's in the Building' Begins at 44 min During his five-day visit to Washington, D.C. last week, His Holiness the Dalai Lama met with state officials, politicians and not a few celebrities.  But he also took the time to teach. Reporter Elizabeth Ryan sat in on one of his lectures, and asked the audience to put the experience into words. Produced by Elizabeth Ryan Soundscapes: Sikh Hymns Begins 46 min 5 sec This week we hear one final sound in our series, the Soundscapes of Faith.  Shabad Kirtan is the mystical poetry of Sikhism, set to music.  Pictured: Mardana Bhai, the first Sikh musician Rajwant Singh, Chairman of the Sikh Council on Religion and Education tag:odeo.com,2009-10-15,25299235 Thu, 15 Oct 2009 08:57:23 -0700 no Interfaith Voices Podcast (hour-long version) Religion & Spirituality, 2005 http://odeo.com/episodes/25259856-Answering-the-%E2%80%98God-Question%E2%80%99 It's Not Just For Theologians That brooding, looming question, ‘What is God?” has long been a favorite thought experiment for philosophers.  The man known as “The Genius” on the David Letterman Show traces the concept of the divine over the past 2,500 years, and finds that it’s not God that evolves…it’s us. Pictured: Creation of the Sun and Moon by Michelangelo, c. 1511 Andrew Pessin, author of The God Question: What From Plato to Dawkins Have Said About the Divine The Cross That Went To Court Begins at 22 min 30 sec It sits atop a rock in the dusty California Mojave Desert, ten miles from the nearest highway.  The Mojave cross, erected as a war memorial in the middle of a National Preserve, is now the focus of a major Supreme Court case. We hear two very different views on whether the monument amounts to a government endorsement of Christianity. Pictured: the Mojave cross has been covered by a plywood box since 2002, in complianc... It's Not Just For Theologians That brooding, looming question, ‘What is God?” has long been a favorite thought experiment for philosophers.  The man known as “The Genius” on the David Letterman Show traces the concept of the divine over the past 2,500 years, and finds that it’s not God that evolves…it’s us. Pictured: Creation of the Sun and Moon by Michelangelo, c. 1511 Andrew Pessin, author of The God Question: What From Plato to Dawkins Have Said About the Divine The Cross That Went To Court Begins at 22 min 30 sec It sits atop a rock in the dusty California Mojave Desert, ten miles from the nearest highway.  The Mojave cross, erected as a war memorial in the middle of a National Preserve, is now the focus of a major Supreme Court case. We hear two very different views on whether the monument amounts to a government endorsement of Christianity. Pictured: the Mojave cross has been covered by a plywood box since 2002, in compliance with a lower court order.  Barry Lynn, executive director of Americans United for the Separation of Church and State Luke Goodrich, Esq., legal counsel for the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty Dogs, Cats, Guinea Pigs and Parakeets Begins at 44min 7 sec Most pet owners have little doubt that animals have souls. How else could you explain their dog’s steadfast affection, or their cat’s fussy personality? St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals, is honored every year with a special ceremony just for pets.  Reporter Elizabeth Ryan dropped in on one service and sent us this story. Produced by Elizabeth Ryan Soundscapes: Nam-myoho-renge-kyo Begins at 48 min 40 sec For the past few weeks we’ve been listening in on holy chants, hums and melodies.  This week we hear the mantra that defines Soka Gakkai Buddhism: Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.  It’s melodic rhythm, uttered up to a thousand times a day in the morning and evening, is meant to evoke one’s “Buddha nature”: the hidden, natural potential within all believers.  Bill Aiken, Director of Public Affairs at Soka Gakkai International It's Not Just For Theologians That brooding, looming question, ‘What is God?” has long been a favorite thought experiment for philosophers.  The man known as “The Genius” on the David Letterman Show traces the concept of the divine over the past 2,500 years, and finds that it’s not God that evolves…it’s us. Pictured: Creation of the Sun and Moon by Michelangelo, c. 1511 Andrew Pessin, author of The God Question: What From Plato to Dawkins Have Said About the Divine The Cross That Went To Court Begins at 22 min 30 sec It sits atop a rock in the dusty California Mojave Desert, ten miles from the nearest highway.  The Mojave cross, erected as a war memorial in the middle of a National Preserve, is now the focus of a major Supreme Court case. We hear two very different views on whether the monument amounts to a government endorsement of Christianity. Pictured: the Mojave cross has been covered by a plywood box since 2002, in compliance with a lower court order.  Barry Lynn, executive director of Americans United for the Separation of Church and State Luke Goodrich, Esq., legal counsel for the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty Dogs, Cats, Guinea Pigs and Parakeets Begins at 44min 7 sec Most pet owners have little doubt that animals have souls. How else could you explain their dog’s steadfast affection, or their cat’s fussy personality? St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals, is honored every year with a special ceremony just for pets.  Reporter Elizabeth Ryan dropped in on one service and sent us this story. Produced by Elizabeth Ryan Soundscapes: Nam-myoho-renge-kyo Begins at 48 min 40 sec For the past few weeks we’ve been listening in on holy chants, hums and melodies.  This week we hear the mantra that defines Soka Gakkai Buddhism: Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.  It’s melodic rhythm, uttered up to a thousand times a day in the morning and evening, is meant to evoke one’s “Buddha nature”: the hidden, natural potential within all believers.  Bill Aiken, Director of Public Affairs at Soka Gakkai International tag:odeo.com,2009-10-08,25259856 Thu, 08 Oct 2009 09:06:36 -0700 no Interfaith Voices Podcast (hour-long version) Religion & Spirituality, 2005 http://odeo.com/episodes/25223882-A-Quiet-Faith Kennedy's 'True Compass' For four decades, Senator Ted Kennedy was America’s most influential Catholic politician.  But he kept his personal faith quiet, hidden. Jonathan Karp, editor of his new memoir, reveals the senator you don’t know—a man who loved the Gospel of Matthew, looked forward to the Resurrection, and spent only one day in bed at the end of his life.  Jonathan Karp, publisher and editor-in-chief of Twelve Books Leprosy, Stigma and the Bible Begins at 22 min 29 sec When Jose Ramirez, Jr. was a teenager, something strange began happening to his body.  His arms and legs went numb. His breathing became slow and labored. And large sores began to envelop his skin, leaving deep scars.  At 20, after many unsuccessful treatments with Mexican faith healers, Ramirez was finally diagnosed with Hansen’s disease, better known as leprosy. Ramirez has now written a memoir which recounts his quest to accept himself-- as a husband, as a person... Kennedy's 'True Compass' For four decades, Senator Ted Kennedy was America’s most influential Catholic politician.  But he kept his personal faith quiet, hidden. Jonathan Karp, editor of his new memoir, reveals the senator you don’t know—a man who loved the Gospel of Matthew, looked forward to the Resurrection, and spent only one day in bed at the end of his life.  Jonathan Karp, publisher and editor-in-chief of Twelve Books Leprosy, Stigma and the Bible Begins at 22 min 29 sec When Jose Ramirez, Jr. was a teenager, something strange began happening to his body.  His arms and legs went numb. His breathing became slow and labored. And large sores began to envelop his skin, leaving deep scars.  At 20, after many unsuccessful treatments with Mexican faith healers, Ramirez was finally diagnosed with Hansen’s disease, better known as leprosy. Ramirez has now written a memoir which recounts his quest to accept himself-- as a husband, as a person of faith and as a worthy human being.  Our story first aired in March 2009. Jose Ramirez, Jr., author of Squint: My Journey with Leprosy Remembering Father Damien Begins at 37 min 43 sec For another look at leprosy we turn to Father Damien de Veuster.  In the summer of 1873, he landed on the secluded Hawaiian island of Kalaupapa, the home of nearly 1,000 souls living with leprosy.  It was, in a word, a “leper colony”: the American government had exiled them there indefinitely. Fr. Damien ministered to the island's residents for years, ultimately becoming one of them - he died of the disease at age 49.  He will be canonized by the Vatican on October 11th.  Our story first aired in March 2009. Fr. Lane Akiona, pastor of St. Augustine Roman Catholic Church in Honolulu, Hawaii Audio Postcard: The Muslim Day of Prayer Begins at 45 min 14 sec Last Friday, thousands of American Muslims laid their prayer mats down on the lawn of Capitol Hill.  They came to observe their Friday prayers, or Jumu'ah, in public.  For some, the first-of-its-kind event was a message to the country that Muslims are peaceful, God-loving, and above all, American.  But the day was not without its protests. Reporter Elizabeth Ryan brings us this audio postcard. Produced by Elizabeth Ryan Soundscapes: Sacred Harp Begins at 48 min 30 sec Sound evokes the sacred like no other art form… it stirs our emotions and literally vibrates through our bodies.   For the past few weeks we’ve been listening in on holy chants, hums and melodies.  This week it’s sacred harp, an early form of American church music.  There's no harp in sacred harp singing - it’s all about the voice. Nancy Groce, ethnomusicologist at The American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress Kennedy's 'True Compass' For four decades, Senator Ted Kennedy was America’s most influential Catholic politician.  But he kept his personal faith quiet, hidden. Jonathan Karp, editor of his new memoir, reveals the senator you don’t know—a man who loved the Gospel of Matthew, looked forward to the Resurrection, and spent only one day in bed at the end of his life.  Jonathan Karp, publisher and editor-in-chief of Twelve Books Leprosy, Stigma and the Bible Begins at 22 min 29 sec When Jose Ramirez, Jr. was a teenager, something strange began happening to his body.  His arms and legs went numb. His breathing became slow and labored. And large sores began to envelop his skin, leaving deep scars.  At 20, after many unsuccessful treatments with Mexican faith healers, Ramirez was finally diagnosed with Hansen’s disease, better known as leprosy. Ramirez has now written a memoir which recounts his quest to accept himself-- as a husband, as a person of faith and as a worthy human being.  Our story first aired in March 2009. Jose Ramirez, Jr., author of Squint: My Journey with Leprosy Remembering Father Damien Begins at 37 min 43 sec For another look at leprosy we turn to Father Damien de Veuster.  In the summer of 1873, he landed on the secluded Hawaiian island of Kalaupapa, the home of nearly 1,000 souls living with leprosy.  It was, in a word, a “leper colony”: the American government had exiled them there indefinitely. Fr. Damien ministered to the island's residents for years, ultimately becoming one of them - he died of the disease at age 49.  He will be canonized by the Vatican on October 11th.  Our story first aired in March 2009. Fr. Lane Akiona, pastor of St. Augustine Roman Catholic Church in Honolulu, Hawaii Audio Postcard: The Muslim Day of Prayer Begins at 45 min 14 sec Last Friday, thousands of American Muslims laid their prayer mats down on the lawn of Capitol Hill.  They came to observe their Friday prayers, or Jumu'ah, in public.  For some, the first-of-its-kind event was a message to the country that Muslims are peaceful, God-loving, and above all, American.  But the day was not without its protests. Reporter Elizabeth Ryan brings us this audio postcard. Produced by Elizabeth Ryan Soundscapes: Sacred Harp Begins at 48 min 30 sec Sound evokes the sacred like no other art form… it stirs our emotions and literally vibrates through our bodies.   For the past few weeks we’ve been listening in on holy chants, hums and melodies.  This week it’s sacred harp, an early form of American church music.  There's no harp in sacred harp singing - it’s all about the voice. Nancy Groce, ethnomusicologist at The American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress tag:odeo.com,2009-09-30,25223882 Wed, 30 Sep 2009 09:37:27 -0700 no Interfaith Voices Podcast (hour-long version) 2009 http://odeo.com/episodes/25185075-Unlocking-the-Mason-Mystique The Not-So-Secret World of the Freemasons Dan Brown clearly loves religion – really mysterious religion, like his portrayal of the Catholic group Opus Dei in The Da Vinci Code.  But then, groups accused of being religious will do just as well.  His new novel, The Lost Symbol, offers a semi-truthful peek inside the fraternity, which has been accused of everything from conspiring with extra-terrestrials to placing secret symbols on dollar bills. Though the reality is a lot less strange, some faith traditions continue to have bad feelings about Freemasons.  Christopher Hodapp, a Freemason for 11 years, debunks the myths. Pictured: the Square and Compasses, the most recognized emblem of Freemasonry. Christopher Hodapp, author of Freemasons For Dummies A Year Alone, Very Alone Begins at 22 min 56 sec In February of 2001, Bob Kull arrived on the Chilean island where he would live for a full year by himself.  By the end of that year, he gained spiritual insight, p... The Not-So-Secret World of the Freemasons Dan Brown clearly loves religion – really mysterious religion, like his portrayal of the Catholic group Opus Dei in The Da Vinci Code.  But then, groups accused of being religious will do just as well.  His new novel, The Lost Symbol, offers a semi-truthful peek inside the fraternity, which has been accused of everything from conspiring with extra-terrestrials to placing secret symbols on dollar bills. Though the reality is a lot less strange, some faith traditions continue to have bad feelings about Freemasons.  Christopher Hodapp, a Freemason for 11 years, debunks the myths. Pictured: the Square and Compasses, the most recognized emblem of Freemasonry. Christopher Hodapp, author of Freemasons For Dummies A Year Alone, Very Alone Begins at 22 min 56 sec In February of 2001, Bob Kull arrived on the Chilean island where he would live for a full year by himself.  By the end of that year, he gained spiritual insight, peace of mind -- and ultimately a Ph.D.  Kull shares stories of twelve months of solitude, from injury, to losing track of time, to fearing he might not make it back alive. Bob Kull, author of Solitude: Seeking Wisdom in Extremes: A Year Alone in the Patagonia Wilderness Elevating the Soul Through Self Control Begins at 32 min 25 sec Religious believers are more likely to exercise, visit the dentist and wear seat belts. That's according to a new study from researchers at the University of Miami, who say that having faith in a higher power increases a key personality trait: self control.  Our story first aired in February 2009. Michael McCullough, professor of psychology and religious studies at the University of Miami The Domestic Crusaders Begins at 42 min 57 sec In many ways, The Domestic Crusaders is a typical kitchen drama, full of laughter and tears. But it's also a theatrical pioneer.  Centered around a day in the life of a Muslim-American family, its focus is explosive dialogue, not bombs and terrorist caricatures.  Asma Khalid was there for its opening weekend and brings us this story.  Produced by Asma Khalid Soundscapes: Aum Begins at 49 min 14 sec In our third installment of our series on sacred sounds, we listen to the eternal hum said to contain the essence of the entire universe: the Hindu Aum. Shubha Pathak, professor of religion at American University The Not-So-Secret World of the Freemasons Dan Brown clearly loves religion – really mysterious religion, like his portrayal of the Catholic group Opus Dei in The Da Vinci Code.  But then, groups accused of being religious will do just as well.  His new novel, The Lost Symbol, offers a semi-truthful peek inside the fraternity, which has been accused of everything from conspiring with extra-terrestrials to placing secret symbols on dollar bills. Though the reality is a lot less strange, some faith traditions continue to have bad feelings about Freemasons.  Christopher Hodapp, a Freemason for 11 years, debunks the myths. Pictured: the Square and Compasses, the most recognized emblem of Freemasonry. Christopher Hodapp, author of Freemasons For Dummies A Year Alone, Very Alone Begins at 22 min 56 sec In February of 2001, Bob Kull arrived on the Chilean island where he would live for a full year by himself.  By the end of that year, he gained spiritual insight, peace of mind -- and ultimately a Ph.D.  Kull shares stories of twelve months of solitude, from injury, to losing track of time, to fearing he might not make it back alive. Bob Kull, author of Solitude: Seeking Wisdom in Extremes: A Year Alone in the Patagonia Wilderness Elevating the Soul Through Self Control Begins at 32 min 25 sec Religious believers are more likely to exercise, visit the dentist and wear seat belts. That's according to a new study from researchers at the University of Miami, who say that having faith in a higher power increases a key personality trait: self control.  Our story first aired in February 2009. Michael McCullough, professor of psychology and religious studies at the University of Miami The Domestic Crusaders Begins at 42 min 57 sec In many ways, The Domestic Crusaders is a typical kitchen drama, full of laughter and tears. But it's also a theatrical pioneer.  Centered around a day in the life of a Muslim-American family, its focus is explosive dialogue, not bombs and terrorist caricatures.  Asma Khalid was there for its opening weekend and brings us this story.  Produced by Asma Khalid Soundscapes: Aum Begins at 49 min 14 sec In our third installment of our series on sacred sounds, we listen to the eternal hum said to contain the essence of the entire universe: the Hindu Aum. Shubha Pathak, professor of religion at American University tag:odeo.com,2009-09-24,25185075 Thu, 24 Sep 2009 14:10:45 -0700 no Interfaith Voices Podcast (hour-long version) Religion & Spirituality, 2009 http://odeo.com/episodes/25149275-The-Monk-Behind-the-Myth An Intimate Portrait of the 14th Dalai Lama The Dalai Lama is a complex figure- at once a Buddhist monk, the leader of the Tibetan community in exile and a spiritual celebrity.  He is also a man whose human side few people know. We talk with Pico Iyer, a friend of the Dalai Lama for over thirty years, about the man behind the image. Pico Iyer, author of The Open Road: The Global Journey of the Fourteenth Dalai Lama Joy Ladin, Finding Her True Self Begins at 23 min 36 sec Joy Ladin is an English professor at Yeshiva University, the nation's oldest Jewish university.  She is also transgender.  These identities met three years ago when, as a male, she informed her school that she would be transitioning from Jay to Joy.  School officials responded by putting her on leave, though they later took her back.  Hers is a story of a poet, a Jew, and above all - a woman, in her own words, "caught in the act of becoming." Joy Ladin, author of Transmigration: Po... An Intimate Portrait of the 14th Dalai Lama The Dalai Lama is a complex figure- at once a Buddhist monk, the leader of the Tibetan community in exile and a spiritual celebrity.  He is also a man whose human side few people know. We talk with Pico Iyer, a friend of the Dalai Lama for over thirty years, about the man behind the image. Pico Iyer, author of The Open Road: The Global Journey of the Fourteenth Dalai Lama Joy Ladin, Finding Her True Self Begins at 23 min 36 sec Joy Ladin is an English professor at Yeshiva University, the nation's oldest Jewish university.  She is also transgender.  These identities met three years ago when, as a male, she informed her school that she would be transitioning from Jay to Joy.  School officials responded by putting her on leave, though they later took her back.  Hers is a story of a poet, a Jew, and above all - a woman, in her own words, "caught in the act of becoming." Joy Ladin, author of Transmigration: Poems and an upcoming memoir, Inside Out: Confessions of a Woman Caught in the Act of Becoming For our DC listeners: Joy Ladin will be appearing at the Sixth & I Historic Synagogue on Oct. 9th Soundscapes of Faith: The Call to Prayer Begins at 48 min 32 sec In this installment of our ongoing series on sacred sounds, we listen to the call to prayer, or adhan. It rings out in Muslim countries five times a day, reminding believers to pause, pray and reflect on God.  Akbar Ahmed explains why the sound is part of the "symphony of Islam itself." Akbar Ahmed, chair of Islamic studies at American University An Intimate Portrait of the 14th Dalai Lama The Dalai Lama is a complex figure- at once a Buddhist monk, the leader of the Tibetan community in exile and a spiritual celebrity.  He is also a man whose human side few people know. We talk with Pico Iyer, a friend of the Dalai Lama for over thirty years, about the man behind the image. Pico Iyer, author of The Open Road: The Global Journey of the Fourteenth Dalai Lama Joy Ladin, Finding Her True Self Begins at 23 min 36 sec Joy Ladin is an English professor at Yeshiva University, the nation's oldest Jewish university.  She is also transgender.  These identities met three years ago when, as a male, she informed her school that she would be transitioning from Jay to Joy.  School officials responded by putting her on leave, though they later took her back.  Hers is a story of a poet, a Jew, and above all - a woman, in her own words, "caught in the act of becoming." Joy Ladin, author of Transmigration: Poems and an upcoming memoir, Inside Out: Confessions of a Woman Caught in the Act of Becoming For our DC listeners: Joy Ladin will be appearing at the Sixth & I Historic Synagogue on Oct. 9th Soundscapes of Faith: The Call to Prayer Begins at 48 min 32 sec In this installment of our ongoing series on sacred sounds, we listen to the call to prayer, or adhan. It rings out in Muslim countries five times a day, reminding believers to pause, pray and reflect on God.  Akbar Ahmed explains why the sound is part of the "symphony of Islam itself." Akbar Ahmed, chair of Islamic studies at American University tag:odeo.com,2009-09-16,25149275 Wed, 16 Sep 2009 08:32:18 -0700 no Interfaith Voices Podcast (hour-long version) Arts & Entertainment, 2009 http://odeo.com/episodes/25107690-The-Unlikely-Disciple 'Studying Abroad' at Liberty University When Kevin Roose was a sophomore at Brown University, he decided to try a "domestic study abroad" program-- at Rev. Jerry Falwell's Liberty University.  Based in Lynchburg, Virgina, Liberty is an institution Falwell himself described as a “Bible Boot Camp." Roose went undercover and did his best to blend in; he joined the school choir, he wrote for the student newspaper, he spent his spring break proselytizing to hung-over college kids.  We talk to both Roose and Brian Colas, one of the friends he made at Liberty, about his strange experiment in college-as-anthropology. Kevin Roose, author of The Unlikely Disciple: A Sinner's Semester at America's Holiest University Brian Colas, former student body president at Liberty University The Coup in Honduras: A Look From the Ground Begins at 22 min 30 sec In the early morning hours of June 28th, a band of soldiers rousted the president of Honduras out his bed.  With... 'Studying Abroad' at Liberty University When Kevin Roose was a sophomore at Brown University, he decided to try a "domestic study abroad" program-- at Rev. Jerry Falwell's Liberty University.  Based in Lynchburg, Virgina, Liberty is an institution Falwell himself described as a “Bible Boot Camp." Roose went undercover and did his best to blend in; he joined the school choir, he wrote for the student newspaper, he spent his spring break proselytizing to hung-over college kids.  We talk to both Roose and Brian Colas, one of the friends he made at Liberty, about his strange experiment in college-as-anthropology. Kevin Roose, author of The Unlikely Disciple: A Sinner's Semester at America's Holiest University Brian Colas, former student body president at Liberty University The Coup in Honduras: A Look From the Ground Begins at 22 min 30 sec In the early morning hours of June 28th, a band of soldiers rousted the president of Honduras out his bed.  Without time to even change out of his pajamas, they led Manuel Zelaya by gun point to a plane, off to Costa Rica.  He was later removed by the Honduran congress and replaced with a new leader.  Latin American leaders,  President Obama and some religious leaders have condemned the coup as illegal.  Jean Stokan gives us her perspective as a person of faith on the ground in the fractured country. Jean Stokan, Director of the Justice Team, Sisters of Mercy of the Americas; part of a delegation to Honduras Service Through Sound Begins at 34 min 50 sec It's not for nothing they're called Mosaic Harmony. With 80 members of 17 different faiths, mostly in rainbow-colored outfits, this gospel-style choir is unlike any other.  They began as an effort to heal racial divides, but their mission now includes bridging religious gulfs as well.   David North, choir director, and Suzanne Reynolds, member An Interfaith Iftar Begins at 45 min 16 sec On Ramadan, Muslims end their day of fasting with an iftar, a sacred meal that begins at sunset.  This year, Hindus, Christians, Jews and others gathered at a historic synagogue in Washington, DC, to celebrate the meal together. Maureen was there, and sends us this audio postcard. Recorded at the Sixth & I Historic Synagogue Soundscapes of Faith: The Shofar Begins at 47 min 44 sec Every faith tradition has a melody, chant or noise that is unique to it. From the wail of the shofar to the hum of the Hindu om, there is something about sound that makes the holy...real.  For the next few weeks we’re going to explore sacred sounds in religions small and large, for a series we’re calling the Soundscapes of Faith. We begin with the shofar, an ancient instrument made from an animal horn. Rabbi Jack Moline, Rabbi of Agudas Achim Congregation in Alexandria, Virginia   'Studying Abroad' at Liberty University When Kevin Roose was a sophomore at Brown University, he decided to try a "domestic study abroad" program-- at Rev. Jerry Falwell's Liberty University.  Based in Lynchburg, Virgina, Liberty is an institution Falwell himself described as a “Bible Boot Camp." Roose went undercover and did his best to blend in; he joined the school choir, he wrote for the student newspaper, he spent his spring break proselytizing to hung-over college kids.  We talk to both Roose and Brian Colas, one of the friends he made at Liberty, about his strange experiment in college-as-anthropology. Kevin Roose, author of The Unlikely Disciple: A Sinner's Semester at America's Holiest University Brian Colas, former student body president at Liberty University The Coup in Honduras: A Look From the Ground Begins at 22 min 30 sec In the early morning hours of June 28th, a band of soldiers rousted the president of Honduras out his bed.  Without time to even change out of his pajamas, they led Manuel Zelaya by gun point to a plane, off to Costa Rica.  He was later removed by the Honduran congress and replaced with a new leader.  Latin American leaders,  President Obama and some religious leaders have condemned the coup as illegal.  Jean Stokan gives us her perspective as a person of faith on the ground in the fractured country. Jean Stokan, Director of the Justice Team, Sisters of Mercy of the Americas; part of a delegation to Honduras Service Through Sound Begins at 34 min 50 sec It's not for nothing they're called Mosaic Harmony. With 80 members of 17 different faiths, mostly in rainbow-colored outfits, this gospel-style choir is unlike any other.  They began as an effort to heal racial divides, but their mission now includes bridging religious gulfs as well.   David North, choir director, and Suzanne Reynolds, member An Interfaith Iftar Begins at 45 min 16 sec On Ramadan, Muslims end their day of fasting with an iftar, a sacred meal that begins at sunset.  This year, Hindus, Christians, Jews and others gathered at a historic synagogue in Washington, DC, to celebrate the meal together. Maureen was there, and sends us this audio postcard. Recorded at the Sixth & I Historic Synagogue Soundscapes of Faith: The Shofar Begins at 47 min 44 sec Every faith tradition has a melody, chant or noise that is unique to it. From the wail of the shofar to the hum of the Hindu om, there is something about sound that makes the holy...real.  For the next few weeks we’re going to explore sacred sounds in religions small and large, for a series we’re calling the Soundscapes of Faith. We begin with the shofar, an ancient instrument made from an animal horn. Rabbi Jack Moline, Rabbi of Agudas Achim Congregation in Alexandria, Virginia   tag:odeo.com,2009-09-09,25107690 Wed, 09 Sep 2009 14:00:22 -0700 no Interfaith Voices Podcast (hour-long version) Religion & Spirituality, 2005 http://odeo.com/episodes/25072222-Health-Care-as-a-Moral-Obligation The Gospel of Reform In the debate over health care, President Obama is going biblical.  On August 18th, the President convened a phone conference with more than 1,000 leaders of different faiths, mainly religious progressives.  Obama’s courting of spiritual leaders comes as some religious groups, especially conservative Catholics and evangelical Christians, are raising concerns about what will and won’t be covered under Obama’s plan. Kevin Eckstrom explains why many faith traditions have a real stake in health care reform. Kevin Eckstrom, editor of Religion News Service Losing My Religion Begins at 22:30 For years, journalist William Lobdell prayed for the religion beat at the LA Times. A devout Christian, he wanted to present a nuanced version of personal faith. But the more he investigated, the more lies he uncovered: pedophile pastors, ostracized ex-Mormons and bishops who hid the crimes of child molesters. Now a reluctant atheist, Lobdell explains ho... The Gospel of Reform In the debate over health care, President Obama is going biblical.  On August 18th, the President convened a phone conference with more than 1,000 leaders of different faiths, mainly religious progressives.  Obama’s courting of spiritual leaders comes as some religious groups, especially conservative Catholics and evangelical Christians, are raising concerns about what will and won’t be covered under Obama’s plan. Kevin Eckstrom explains why many faith traditions have a real stake in health care reform. Kevin Eckstrom, editor of Religion News Service Losing My Religion Begins at 22:30 For years, journalist William Lobdell prayed for the religion beat at the LA Times. A devout Christian, he wanted to present a nuanced version of personal faith. But the more he investigated, the more lies he uncovered: pedophile pastors, ostracized ex-Mormons and bishops who hid the crimes of child molesters. Now a reluctant atheist, Lobdell explains how he learned to embrace a life without God. Our story first aired in March 2009. William Lobdell, author of Losing My Religion: How I Lost My Faith Reporting on Religion in America - And Found Unexpected Peace Penn Jillette: Beyond Atheism Begins at 47:41 Penn Jillette, the taller, more talkative half of Penn & Teller, explains why he's beyond atheism: "Not believing in God is easy....you can't prove a negative, so there's no work to do.  You can't prove that there isn't an elephant inside the trunk of my car."  Produced for This I Believe by Jay Allison and Dan Gediman with Emily Botein, John Gregory and Viki Merrick This Week's Interfaith Calendar   September 12-16 - Ghambar Paitishem Sept. 12 marks the beginning of a five-day celebration in the Zoroastrian tradition - one of six celebrations called ghambars that mark the passage of the seasons.  The September ghambar is called Ghambar Paitishem, and it honors the earth's creation and the harvesting of summer crops.  It's a bit like a Zoroastrian Thanksgiving Day. The main festivity is a large, communal meal. How to make Aush, an Afghan noondle soup in a tomato-based broth for Ghambar Paitishem The Gospel of Reform In the debate over health care, President Obama is going biblical.  On August 18th, the President convened a phone conference with more than 1,000 leaders of different faiths, mainly religious progressives.  Obama’s courting of spiritual leaders comes as some religious groups, especially conservative Catholics and evangelical Christians, are raising concerns about what will and won’t be covered under Obama’s plan. Kevin Eckstrom explains why many faith traditions have a real stake in health care reform. Kevin Eckstrom, editor of Religion News Service Losing My Religion Begins at 22:30 For years, journalist William Lobdell prayed for the religion beat at the LA Times. A devout Christian, he wanted to present a nuanced version of personal faith. But the more he investigated, the more lies he uncovered: pedophile pastors, ostracized ex-Mormons and bishops who hid the crimes of child molesters. Now a reluctant atheist, Lobdell explains how he learned to embrace a life without God. Our story first aired in March 2009. William Lobdell, author of Losing My Religion: How I Lost My Faith Reporting on Religion in America - And Found Unexpected Peace Penn Jillette: Beyond Atheism Begins at 47:41 Penn Jillette, the taller, more talkative half of Penn & Teller, explains why he's beyond atheism: "Not believing in God is easy....you can't prove a negative, so there's no work to do.  You can't prove that there isn't an elephant inside the trunk of my car."  Produced for This I Believe by Jay Allison and Dan Gediman with Emily Botein, John Gregory and Viki Merrick This Week's Interfaith Calendar   September 12-16 - Ghambar Paitishem Sept. 12 marks the beginning of a five-day celebration in the Zoroastrian tradition - one of six celebrations called ghambars that mark the passage of the seasons.  The September ghambar is called Ghambar Paitishem, and it honors the earth's creation and the harvesting of summer crops.  It's a bit like a Zoroastrian Thanksgiving Day. The main festivity is a large, communal meal. How to make Aush, an Afghan noondle soup in a tomato-based broth for Ghambar Paitishem tag:odeo.com,2009-09-02,25072222 Wed, 02 Sep 2009 11:18:17 -0700 no Interfaith Voices Podcast (hour-long version) Religion & Spirituality, 2009 http://odeo.com/episodes/25036763-The-American-Nun-Probes-Two-Views Checking In or Reigning In? Late in 2008, the Vatican quietly announced a two-part "visitation" of American nuns. On paper, the probes are supposed to examine the sisters' quality of life and adherence to church doctrine. But the real purpose of the investigation is fuzzy, depending on whom you ask.  Some conservative nuns see the probes as friendly and unremarkable-- a routine attempt by the church to address declining membership.  And many liberal nuns worry it's an attempt to reign in their advocacy for changes in the church, like womens' ordination and gay rights.  This week: two views on the Vatican's sweeping survey. Ann Carey, author of Sisters in Crisis: The Tragic Unraveling of Women's Religious Communities Sr. Joan Chittister, author of over 40 books on spirituality, including The Way We Were: A Story of Conversion and Renewal Gay Clergy and the Lutheran Church Begins at 28 min 30 sec America’s largest Lutheran denomination is officially more... Checking In or Reigning In? Late in 2008, the Vatican quietly announced a two-part "visitation" of American nuns. On paper, the probes are supposed to examine the sisters' quality of life and adherence to church doctrine. But the real purpose of the investigation is fuzzy, depending on whom you ask.  Some conservative nuns see the probes as friendly and unremarkable-- a routine attempt by the church to address declining membership.  And many liberal nuns worry it's an attempt to reign in their advocacy for changes in the church, like womens' ordination and gay rights.  This week: two views on the Vatican's sweeping survey. Ann Carey, author of Sisters in Crisis: The Tragic Unraveling of Women's Religious Communities Sr. Joan Chittister, author of over 40 books on spirituality, including The Way We Were: A Story of Conversion and Renewal Gay Clergy and the Lutheran Church Begins at 28 min 30 sec America’s largest Lutheran denomination is officially more gay-friendly.  On August 21, leaders of The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America voted to allow all gay and and lesbians to serve as clergy—including those who are sexually active and in serious relationships.  Before the vote, only celibate gays and lesbians were allowed to serve as ministers. We ask Kevin Eckstrom if the Lutheran decision, which comes just weeks after a similar vote by the Episcopal church, is the beginning of a trend in mainline Protestantism. Kevin Eckstrom, editor of Religion News Service The Gospel According to Bono Begins at 37 min Religion and the modern music industry share this common thread: people often live or die, succeed or fail, based on the labels they’re assigned, and the labels they claim for themselves. This week we explore what it means to be called a "Christian" band, and why we seem to care.  We begin with U2, the Irish rock & rollers thought by some to be the biggest Christian band in the world. Greg Garrett, author of We Get to Carry Each Other: The Gospel according to U2 In the Studio With Jars of Clay Begins at 40 min 47 sec The contemporary christian music industry has had its share of crossover acts: Amy Grant, dc Talk, Stryper. Then, in 1995, Jars of Clay came out with the breakthrough single, “Flood," an earnest, optimistic pop tune about suffering, guilt and redemption. But the song’s mainstream appeal created a strange problem for the group…a problem that gets to the core of why the label “alternative Christian music” can be so difficult. Laura Kwerel sits down with the band to find out how they’ve struggled to transcend industry stereotypes. Jars of Clay Hear the live, in studio versions of Two Hands and Boys, (Lesson One) from their new album, The Long Fall Back to Earth   This Week's Interfaith Calendar   August 29 - The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist August 29th is the day Roman Catholics commemorate the beheading of John the Baptist, the saint Catholics believe baptized Jesus. The story of his gruesome decapitation begins when John the Baptist was imprisoned by Herod, the ruler of Palestine.  John was accused of publicly criticizing Herod’s remarriage. Herod’s new wife, threatened by John's loquacity, hatched a plan to get rid of him. She convinced her daughter, Salome, to perform a sultry dance for Herod at his birthday party, hoping to woo him into giving her anything.  Her seduction worked. Herod was so taken by the young woman that he promised to grant her any desire.  Her wish?  To have John the Baptist’s head delivered...on a platter. Herod reluctantly agreed. Checking In or Reigning In? Late in 2008, the Vatican quietly announced a two-part "visitation" of American nuns. On paper, the probes are supposed to examine the sisters' quality of life and adherence to church doctrine. But the real purpose of the investigation is fuzzy, depending on whom you ask.  Some conservative nuns see the probes as friendly and unremarkable-- a routine attempt by the church to address declining membership.  And many liberal nuns worry it's an attempt to reign in their advocacy for changes in the church, like womens' ordination and gay rights.  This week: two views on the Vatican's sweeping survey. Ann Carey, author of Sisters in Crisis: The Tragic Unraveling of Women's Religious Communities Sr. Joan Chittister, author of over 40 books on spirituality, including The Way We Were: A Story of Conversion and Renewal Gay Clergy and the Lutheran Church Begins at 28 min 30 sec America’s largest Lutheran denomination is officially more gay-friendly.  On August 21, leaders of The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America voted to allow all gay and and lesbians to serve as clergy—including those who are sexually active and in serious relationships.  Before the vote, only celibate gays and lesbians were allowed to serve as ministers. We ask Kevin Eckstrom if the Lutheran decision, which comes just weeks after a similar vote by the Episcopal church, is the beginning of a trend in mainline Protestantism. Kevin Eckstrom, editor of Religion News Service The Gospel According to Bono Begins at 37 min Religion and the modern music industry share this common thread: people often live or die, succeed or fail, based on the labels they’re assigned, and the labels they claim for themselves. This week we explore what it means to be called a "Christian" band, and why we seem to care.  We begin with U2, the Irish rock & rollers thought by some to be the biggest Christian band in the world. Greg Garrett, author of We Get to Carry Each Other: The Gospel according to U2 In the Studio With Jars of Clay Begins at 40 min 47 sec The contemporary christian music industry has had its share of crossover acts: Amy Grant, dc Talk, Stryper. Then, in 1995, Jars of Clay came out with the breakthrough single, “Flood," an earnest, optimistic pop tune about suffering, guilt and redemption. But the song’s mainstream appeal created a strange problem for the group…a problem that gets to the core of why the label “alternative Christian music” can be so difficult. Laura Kwerel sits down with the band to find out how they’ve struggled to transcend industry stereotypes. Jars of Clay Hear the live, in studio versions of Two Hands and Boys, (Lesson One) from their new album, The Long Fall Back to Earth   This Week's Interfaith Calendar   August 29 - The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist August 29th is the day Roman Catholics commemorate the beheading of John the Baptist, the saint Catholics believe baptized Jesus. The story of his gruesome decapitation begins when John the Baptist was imprisoned by Herod, the ruler of Palestine.  John was accused of publicly criticizing Herod’s remarriage. Herod’s new wife, threatened by John's loquacity, hatched a plan to get rid of him. She convinced her daughter, Salome, to perform a sultry dance for Herod at his birthday party, hoping to woo him into giving her anything.  Her seduction worked. Herod was so taken by the young woman that he promised to grant her any desire.  Her wish?  To have John the Baptist’s head delivered...on a platter. Herod reluctantly agreed. tag:odeo.com,2009-08-27,25036763 Thu, 27 Aug 2009 09:56:30 -0700 no Interfaith Voices Podcast (hour-long version) Religion & Spirituality, 2009 http://odeo.com/episodes/24994460-Rainn-Wilson-a-Baha-i-in-Hollywood Nerdy, Bright and Baha'i Actor Rainn Wilson is best known for playing loners, oddballs and weirdos. Exhibit A: Dwight Schrute, the abrasive nerd-in-residence on NBC’s “The Office.” Dwight’s interests include beet farming, science fiction movies and violent weaponry of all kinds.  In real life, Rainn is a devout Baha'i, and this week he lets us in on how he balances his 'Office' life with his faith life.  Our interview originally aired in November 2008. Rainn Wilson, star of The Office Peacemaking and Law-breaking Begins at: 22 min 30 sec For a Catholic priest, Rev. John Dear has a curious claim to fame: he’s been arrested more than 75 times.  The Jesuit uses civil disobedience to take on huge government institutions in an effort to make peace. He recounts his activism, jail time and the day he attacked an F-15 bomber in a new book called A Persistent Peace: One Man’s Struggle for a Nonviolent World.  Our interview first aired i... Nerdy, Bright and Baha'i Actor Rainn Wilson is best known for playing loners, oddballs and weirdos. Exhibit A: Dwight Schrute, the abrasive nerd-in-residence on NBC’s “The Office.” Dwight’s interests include beet farming, science fiction movies and violent weaponry of all kinds.  In real life, Rainn is a devout Baha'i, and this week he lets us in on how he balances his 'Office' life with his faith life.  Our interview originally aired in November 2008. Rainn Wilson, star of The Office Peacemaking and Law-breaking Begins at: 22 min 30 sec For a Catholic priest, Rev. John Dear has a curious claim to fame: he’s been arrested more than 75 times.  The Jesuit uses civil disobedience to take on huge government institutions in an effort to make peace. He recounts his activism, jail time and the day he attacked an F-15 bomber in a new book called A Persistent Peace: One Man’s Struggle for a Nonviolent World.  Our interview first aired in December 2008. Rev. John Dear, peace activist and nominee for the Nobel Peace Prize This Week's Interfaith Calendar Aug. 21-Sept. 19 - Ramadan (Islam)   Ramadan is sometimes known as the holy month of self-control.  That’s because between sunrise and sunset, observant Muslims abstain from all eating, drinking, sexual contact and even gossip. For Muslims, Ramadan is a highly personal time, a chance to leave behind life's distractions and focus on a more intimate connection with God.  Ramadan is the most important season on Islamic calendar, marking the month when the Koran was first revealed to the prophet Muhammad.   Web extra:  Listen back to our 2007 interview on the convergence of Ramadan and the Jewish high holy days. Pictured: The meal served at the end of every day during Ramadan to break the fast, called an iftar. Nerdy, Bright and Baha'i Actor Rainn Wilson is best known for playing loners, oddballs and weirdos. Exhibit A: Dwight Schrute, the abrasive nerd-in-residence on NBC’s “The Office.” Dwight’s interests include beet farming, science fiction movies and violent weaponry of all kinds.  In real life, Rainn is a devout Baha'i, and this week he lets us in on how he balances his 'Office' life with his faith life.  Our interview originally aired in November 2008. Rainn Wilson, star of The Office Peacemaking and Law-breaking Begins at: 22 min 30 sec For a Catholic priest, Rev. John Dear has a curious claim to fame: he’s been arrested more than 75 times.  The Jesuit uses civil disobedience to take on huge government institutions in an effort to make peace. He recounts his activism, jail time and the day he attacked an F-15 bomber in a new book called A Persistent Peace: One Man’s Struggle for a Nonviolent World.  Our interview first aired in December 2008. Rev. John Dear, peace activist and nominee for the Nobel Peace Prize This Week's Interfaith Calendar Aug. 21-Sept. 19 - Ramadan (Islam)   Ramadan is sometimes known as the holy month of self-control.  That’s because between sunrise and sunset, observant Muslims abstain from all eating, drinking, sexual contact and even gossip. For Muslims, Ramadan is a highly personal time, a chance to leave behind life's distractions and focus on a more intimate connection with God.  Ramadan is the most important season on Islamic calendar, marking the month when the Koran was first revealed to the prophet Muhammad.   Web extra:  Listen back to our 2007 interview on the convergence of Ramadan and the Jewish high holy days. Pictured: The meal served at the end of every day during Ramadan to break the fast, called an iftar. tag:odeo.com,2009-08-19,24994460 Wed, 19 Aug 2009 12:37:24 -0700 no Interfaith Voices Podcast (hour-long version) Religion & Spirituality, 2009 http://odeo.com/episodes/24961997-Anne-Rice-Called-Out-of-Darkness Interview with an (Ex)Vampire Writer Anne Rice is well known for her Gothic tales of witches, blood and all things horror. But 10 years ago she shocked her fans when she renounced her dark past, coming to see cult classics like Interview with the Vampire and The Witching Hour as portraits of her own quest for God. In 2005 she began writing novels about the life of Christ, trying to bring the Gospels—not vampires—into living color. In her 2008 memoir, Anne Rice described her surprising journey from Catholicism, to Atheism and back again. Originally aired in November 2008. Anne Rice, author of Called Out of Darkness: A Spiritual Confession Why Do We Suffer? Begins At: 22 min 48 sec It’s one of the world’s oldest questions: If God is all powerful, and loving and caring, why is suffering allowed to exist? Religious scholar Bart Ehrman reviewed the major biblical answers to this question, and found them all wanting. Originally aired in May 2008. Bart Ehrman, autho... Interview with an (Ex)Vampire Writer Anne Rice is well known for her Gothic tales of witches, blood and all things horror. But 10 years ago she shocked her fans when she renounced her dark past, coming to see cult classics like Interview with the Vampire and The Witching Hour as portraits of her own quest for God. In 2005 she began writing novels about the life of Christ, trying to bring the Gospels—not vampires—into living color. In her 2008 memoir, Anne Rice described her surprising journey from Catholicism, to Atheism and back again. Originally aired in November 2008. Anne Rice, author of Called Out of Darkness: A Spiritual Confession Why Do We Suffer? Begins At: 22 min 48 sec It’s one of the world’s oldest questions: If God is all powerful, and loving and caring, why is suffering allowed to exist? Religious scholar Bart Ehrman reviewed the major biblical answers to this question, and found them all wanting. Originally aired in May 2008. Bart Ehrman, author of God’s Problem: How the Bible Fails to Answer Our Most Important Question: Why We Suffer It's Hip to Be a Jew Begins At: 43 min There’s a cultural revolution underfoot…and it kind of looks like Adam Sandler. From “Yenta” T-shirts and Moses action figures to He'Brew Beer, hipster Judaism is all the rage. Lisa Alcalay Klug joined us in January to catalogue the “Jewniverse”. Lisa Alcalay Klug, author of Cool Jew: The Ultimate Guide for Every Member of the Tribe This Week's Interfaith Calendar   August 15 - Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary/Dormition of the Theotokos (Catholic Christian/Orthodox Christian) Roman Catholics believe that Jesus' mother, Mary, did not experience death. Instead, the church teaches that she was taken, or assumed, body and soul into heaven. The Orthodox church has a different teaching on what happened at the end of Mary's life. On this day, Orthodox Christians commemorate the  "falling  asleep" (or "dormition") of Mary, whom they refer to as the Theotokos. Above is a rare Western depiction of Mary's physical death, painted by Caravaggio in 1606 (from Wikimedia Commons). August 17 - Paryushana (Jain) During the eight- to ten-day festival of Paryushana, Jains dedicate themselves to the ideals of fasting, repentance and nonviolence. The word 'Paryushana' means 'to stay in one place,’ and refers to the beginning of India’s rainy season, when Jain ascetics take a break from their continuous wandering and settle in one spot. This gives their lay followers the opportunity to visit with them and learn more about their faith. Interview with an (Ex)Vampire Writer Anne Rice is well known for her Gothic tales of witches, blood and all things horror. But 10 years ago she shocked her fans when she renounced her dark past, coming to see cult classics like Interview with the Vampire and The Witching Hour as portraits of her own quest for God. In 2005 she began writing novels about the life of Christ, trying to bring the Gospels—not vampires—into living color. In her 2008 memoir, Anne Rice described her surprising journey from Catholicism, to Atheism and back again. Originally aired in November 2008. Anne Rice, author of Called Out of Darkness: A Spiritual Confession Why Do We Suffer? Begins At: 22 min 48 sec It’s one of the world’s oldest questions: If God is all powerful, and loving and caring, why is suffering allowed to exist? Religious scholar Bart Ehrman reviewed the major biblical answers to this question, and found them all wanting. Originally aired in May 2008. Bart Ehrman, author of God’s Problem: How the Bible Fails to Answer Our Most Important Question: Why We Suffer It's Hip to Be a Jew Begins At: 43 min There’s a cultural revolution underfoot…and it kind of looks like Adam Sandler. From “Yenta” T-shirts and Moses action figures to He'Brew Beer, hipster Judaism is all the rage. Lisa Alcalay Klug joined us in January to catalogue the “Jewniverse”. Lisa Alcalay Klug, author of Cool Jew: The Ultimate Guide for Every Member of the Tribe This Week's Interfaith Calendar   August 15 - Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary/Dormition of the Theotokos (Catholic Christian/Orthodox Christian) Roman Catholics believe that Jesus' mother, Mary, did not experience death. Instead, the church teaches that she was taken, or assumed, body and soul into heaven. The Orthodox church has a different teaching on what happened at the end of Mary's life. On this day, Orthodox Christians commemorate the  "falling  asleep" (or "dormition") of Mary, whom they refer to as the Theotokos. Above is a rare Western depiction of Mary's physical death, painted by Caravaggio in 1606 (from Wikimedia Commons). August 17 - Paryushana (Jain) During the eight- to ten-day festival of Paryushana, Jains dedicate themselves to the ideals of fasting, repentance and nonviolence. The word 'Paryushana' means 'to stay in one place,’ and refers to the beginning of India’s rainy season, when Jain ascetics take a break from their continuous wandering and settle in one spot. This gives their lay followers the opportunity to visit with them and learn more about their faith. tag:odeo.com,2009-08-04,24961997 Tue, 04 Aug 2009 10:00:55 -0700 no Interfaith Voices Podcast (hour-long version) Religion & Spirituality, 2009 http://odeo.com/episodes/24920130-The-Secret-Fundamentalism-Behind-America-s-Public-Policy Blood Runs Thick in 'The Family' A little-known Christian network that takes leadership cues from Hitler and Mao may seem like the stuff of conspiracy theories, but our guest Jeff Sharlet insists that the Family's political clout is real. Best known for sponsoring the annual high-profile National Prayer Breakfast, this secretive, close-knit group has impacted public policy since it sponsored anti-New Deal legislation in the 1930s – and gives all the credit to God.  This week, we re-visit our look inside their house on C Street, which has been called home by a number of politicians linked to recent sex scandals, including Governor Mark Sanford, the South Carolina Republican infamous for his visit to the “Appalachian Trail," and Senator John Ensign, the Republican from Nevada who resigned after admitting to an affair with a female staff member. Jeff Sharlet, author of The Family: The Secret Fundamentalism at the Heart of American Power Rev. Barry Black, Chaplain ... Blood Runs Thick in 'The Family' A little-known Christian network that takes leadership cues from Hitler and Mao may seem like the stuff of conspiracy theories, but our guest Jeff Sharlet insists that the Family's political clout is real. Best known for sponsoring the annual high-profile National Prayer Breakfast, this secretive, close-knit group has impacted public policy since it sponsored anti-New Deal legislation in the 1930s – and gives all the credit to God.  This week, we re-visit our look inside their house on C Street, which has been called home by a number of politicians linked to recent sex scandals, including Governor Mark Sanford, the South Carolina Republican infamous for his visit to the “Appalachian Trail," and Senator John Ensign, the Republican from Nevada who resigned after admitting to an affair with a female staff member. Jeff Sharlet, author of The Family: The Secret Fundamentalism at the Heart of American Power Rev. Barry Black, Chaplain to Senators Begins at 22 min 30 sec It’s been a tumultuous year in the House and Senate.  And if there’s one person on Capitol Hill keeping his cool, it’s Rev. Barry Black.  As the Senate Chaplain, it’s his job to stay out of the partisan fray.  He sits down with senators from both sides of the aisle, providing spiritual and ethical counseling to people who really need it.  Our story originally aired last October. Rev. Barry Black, 62nd Chaplain to the United States Senate, author of From the Hood to the Hill: A Story of Overcoming The Life and Times of Akbar Ahmed Begins at 35 min 16 sec A pair of of converging railroad tracks, projected onto a screen, sets the tone for Akbar Ahmed’s new one-man play about finding identity between the East and the West. In From Waziristan to Washington: A Muslim at the Crossroads, the Islam scholar traces the story of his life, spanning his administration of the Taliban-controlled Waziristan and his current work as a global leader of interfaith dialogue.  Our interview first aired in February 2009. Akbar Ahmed, Chair of Islamic Studies at American University This Week's Interfaith Calendar   Aug. 14- Krishna Janmashtami (Hindu) A celebration of the birth of Krishna, one of the most beloved Gods in the Hindu pantheon.  Many believers consider Krishna an incarnation of Vishnu, the Hindu deity who maintains law and order in the universe.  Devotion to Krishna can also be found in the Jain, Buddhist and Baha’i traditions.   Blood Runs Thick in 'The Family' A little-known Christian network that takes leadership cues from Hitler and Mao may seem like the stuff of conspiracy theories, but our guest Jeff Sharlet insists that the Family's political clout is real. Best known for sponsoring the annual high-profile National Prayer Breakfast, this secretive, close-knit group has impacted public policy since it sponsored anti-New Deal legislation in the 1930s – and gives all the credit to God.  This week, we re-visit our look inside their house on C Street, which has been called home by a number of politicians linked to recent sex scandals, including Governor Mark Sanford, the South Carolina Republican infamous for his visit to the “Appalachian Trail," and Senator John Ensign, the Republican from Nevada who resigned after admitting to an affair with a female staff member. Jeff Sharlet, author of The Family: The Secret Fundamentalism at the Heart of American Power Rev. Barry Black, Chaplain to Senators Begins at 22 min 30 sec It’s been a tumultuous year in the House and Senate.  And if there’s one person on Capitol Hill keeping his cool, it’s Rev. Barry Black.  As the Senate Chaplain, it’s his job to stay out of the partisan fray.  He sits down with senators from both sides of the aisle, providing spiritual and ethical counseling to people who really need it.  Our story originally aired last October. Rev. Barry Black, 62nd Chaplain to the United States Senate, author of From the Hood to the Hill: A Story of Overcoming The Life and Times of Akbar Ahmed Begins at 35 min 16 sec A pair of of converging railroad tracks, projected onto a screen, sets the tone for Akbar Ahmed’s new one-man play about finding identity between the East and the West. In From Waziristan to Washington: A Muslim at the Crossroads, the Islam scholar traces the story of his life, spanning his administration of the Taliban-controlled Waziristan and his current work as a global leader of interfaith dialogue.  Our interview first aired in February 2009. Akbar Ahmed, Chair of Islamic Studies at American University This Week's Interfaith Calendar   Aug. 14- Krishna Janmashtami (Hindu) A celebration of the birth of Krishna, one of the most beloved Gods in the Hindu pantheon.  Many believers consider Krishna an incarnation of Vishnu, the Hindu deity who maintains law and order in the universe.  Devotion to Krishna can also be found in the Jain, Buddhist and Baha’i traditions.   tag:odeo.com,2009-08-04,24920130 Tue, 04 Aug 2009 09:58:53 -0700 no Interfaith Voices Podcast (hour-long version) Religion & Spirituality, 2009 http://odeo.com/episodes/24891282-Where-Do-We-Go-When-We-Die Beyond Heaven and Hell Bishop John Shelby Spong grew up with an angry, judgemental God. For him, God--and the Christian church--exerted authority through fear, threatening non-believers with the fiery pits of Hell. Now 78, Bishop Spong imagines the afterlife without a Heaven or Hell, and says the task of religion is not to guide us to eternity but to help us “live now, and love wastefully.” Bishop John Shelby Spong, retired Episcopal Bishop of New Jersey, author of Eternal Life: A New Vision: Beyond Religion, Beyond Theism, Beyond Heaven and Hell Web Extra: Hear the full interview Pictured: Dante and Beatrice contemplate Heaven; from Gustave Doré's illustrations to the Dante's Divine Comedy A History of Inventing Eternity Begins at 22 min 30 sec Our image of the afterlife is in constant flux; a reflection of the hopes, anxieties and power structures of the world we live in now. In his monumental book from 2004, Alan Segal says we should examine the people who bene... Beyond Heaven and Hell Bishop John Shelby Spong grew up with an angry, judgemental God. For him, God--and the Christian church--exerted authority through fear, threatening non-believers with the fiery pits of Hell. Now 78, Bishop Spong imagines the afterlife without a Heaven or Hell, and says the task of religion is not to guide us to eternity but to help us “live now, and love wastefully.” Bishop John Shelby Spong, retired Episcopal Bishop of New Jersey, author of Eternal Life: A New Vision: Beyond Religion, Beyond Theism, Beyond Heaven and Hell Web Extra: Hear the full interview Pictured: Dante and Beatrice contemplate Heaven; from Gustave Doré's illustrations to the Dante's Divine Comedy A History of Inventing Eternity Begins at 22 min 30 sec Our image of the afterlife is in constant flux; a reflection of the hopes, anxieties and power structures of the world we live in now. In his monumental book from 2004, Alan Segal says we should examine the people who benefited from these shifting views. He takes us from Socrates and Plato, who, he says, invented the idea of the soul’s immortality to reward learned men, to ancient  Israelites, who imagined Hell as a place to put your enemies. Alan F. Segal, author of Life After Death: A History of the Afterlife in Western Religion Web Extra: Gary Laderman on Heaven, Hell and sacred death rituals Pictured: Osiris, the Egyptian god of the afterlife Commentary: Why I Wear the Hijab Begins at 40 min When Alaa El-Saad was in 6th grade, she decided it was a good time to start wearing a hijab, a traditional Islamic head covering. She wanted to show her respect to Allah, and the fact that it made her stand out a little... and well, she liked that, too. In her essay for “This I Believe,” she explains why she is “proud to be a Muslim, proud to be wearing the hijab, proud to be different.” Produced for This I Believe by Jay Allison and Dan Gediman, with John Gregory and Viki Merrick My Muslim Hairdresser Begins at 43 min 27 sec Meet Alice Snyder, a devout Muslim hairdresser who wears a hijab that completely covers her hair.  At first she wondered if she should cover up her "moneymaker" in a busy salon, but she eventually decided it was worth the double takes. An update: After this piece was produced in 2005, Alice was diagnosed with stomach cancer. She passed away four months later. She leaves behind 2 children, Wesley and Delicia. Produced by Shana Sheeny of Anchorage, Alaska Sneakers, Shots and Skirts Begins at 47 min 39 sec They call themselves the BCA Skirts. BCA – for Beth Chana Academy, a private Orthodox Jewish school in Orange, Connecticut. And skirts are their “unorthodox” uniforms on the basketball court. Orthodox Jewish law requires young women to dress modestly, with skirts that fall below the knee and shirts that cover below the elbow. As one player explains, her outfit is a chance "to show the world out there that I have more to me than what meets the eye." Watch a slideshow of the BCA Skirts Produced by Diane Orson for WNPR in Connecticut This Week's Interfaith Calendar   August 5- Raksha Bandhan  (Hindu) Hindu siblings show each other a little extra love during this ancient festival, which celebrates the special bond between brothers and sisters. The word raksha means "protection" and bandhan means to “tie,” so on this day, sisters tie a holy thread called a rakhi around their brothers' wrists.  Traditionally, as they tie the band, the sister says a prayer asking for love and protection. Web Extra: Clearing up Hindu myths and misconceptions with Ishani Chowdhury of The Hindu American Foundation Beyond Heaven and Hell Bishop John Shelby Spong grew up with an angry, judgemental God. For him, God--and the Christian church--exerted authority through fear, threatening non-believers with the fiery pits of Hell. Now 78, Bishop Spong imagines the afterlife without a Heaven or Hell, and says the task of religion is not to guide us to eternity but to help us “live now, and love wastefully.” Bishop John Shelby Spong, retired Episcopal Bishop of New Jersey, author of Eternal Life: A New Vision: Beyond Religion, Beyond Theism, Beyond Heaven and Hell Web Extra: Hear the full interview Pictured: Dante and Beatrice contemplate Heaven; from Gustave Doré's illustrations to the Dante's Divine Comedy A History of Inventing Eternity Begins at 22 min 30 sec Our image of the afterlife is in constant flux; a reflection of the hopes, anxieties and power structures of the world we live in now. In his monumental book from 2004, Alan Segal says we should examine the people who benefited from these shifting views. He takes us from Socrates and Plato, who, he says, invented the idea of the soul’s immortality to reward learned men, to ancient  Israelites, who imagined Hell as a place to put your enemies. Alan F. Segal, author of Life After Death: A History of the Afterlife in Western Religion Web Extra: Gary Laderman on Heaven, Hell and sacred death rituals Pictured: Osiris, the Egyptian god of the afterlife Commentary: Why I Wear the Hijab Begins at 40 min When Alaa El-Saad was in 6th grade, she decided it was a good time to start wearing a hijab, a traditional Islamic head covering. She wanted to show her respect to Allah, and the fact that it made her stand out a little... and well, she liked that, too. In her essay for “This I Believe,” she explains why she is “proud to be a Muslim, proud to be wearing the hijab, proud to be different.” Produced for This I Believe by Jay Allison and Dan Gediman, with John Gregory and Viki Merrick My Muslim Hairdresser Begins at 43 min 27 sec Meet Alice Snyder, a devout Muslim hairdresser who wears a hijab that completely covers her hair.  At first she wondered if she should cover up her "moneymaker" in a busy salon, but she eventually decided it was worth the double takes. An update: After this piece was produced in 2005, Alice was diagnosed with stomach cancer. She passed away four months later. She leaves behind 2 children, Wesley and Delicia. Produced by Shana Sheeny of Anchorage, Alaska Sneakers, Shots and Skirts Begins at 47 min 39 sec They call themselves the BCA Skirts. BCA – for Beth Chana Academy, a private Orthodox Jewish school in Orange, Connecticut. And skirts are their “unorthodox” uniforms on the basketball court. Orthodox Jewish law requires young women to dress modestly, with skirts that fall below the knee and shirts that cover below the elbow. As one player explains, her outfit is a chance "to show the world out there that I have more to me than what meets the eye." Watch a slideshow of the BCA Skirts Produced by Diane Orson for WNPR in Connecticut This Week's Interfaith Calendar   August 5- Raksha Bandhan  (Hindu) Hindu siblings show each other a little extra love during this ancient festival, which celebrates the special bond between brothers and sisters. The word raksha means "protection" and bandhan means to “tie,” so on this day, sisters tie a holy thread called a rakhi around their brothers' wrists.  Traditionally, as they tie the band, the sister says a prayer asking for love and protection. Web Extra: Clearing up Hindu myths and misconceptions with Ishani Chowdhury of The Hindu American Foundation tag:odeo.com,2009-07-30,24891282 Thu, 30 Jul 2009 11:26:47 -0700 no Interfaith Voices Podcast (hour-long version) Religion & Spirituality, 2009 http://odeo.com/episodes/24858067-The-Battle-Over-Gay-Rights-in-the-Episcopal-Church The Episcopal Church Welcomes You Earlier this month, the Episcopal Church did what many clergy thought impossible just three years ago. The church's national convention voted to ordain gay and lesbian bishops, beginning what some have called the church's 'coming out' process. The outcome rocked the delegates, who sat in stunned silence after the result was announced. Frank Kirkpatick explains why the decision is widening the rift with the church's larger fellowship, the Anglican Communion. Frank Kirkpatrick, author of The Episcopal Church in Crisis: How Sex, the Bible and Authority are Dividing the Faithful Inside Scientology Beliefs and Practices Begins at 23 min 31 sec This week we’re taking an in-depth look at the Church of Scientology, the controversial religion created by science fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard in 1952. We begin with an overview of the Church’s theology, which is based on the idea that everyone can discover a powerful, spiritual self, or Thetan. Hugh... The Episcopal Church Welcomes You Earlier this month, the Episcopal Church did what many clergy thought impossible just three years ago. The church's national convention voted to ordain gay and lesbian bishops, beginning what some have called the church's 'coming out' process. The outcome rocked the delegates, who sat in stunned silence after the result was announced. Frank Kirkpatick explains why the decision is widening the rift with the church's larger fellowship, the Anglican Communion. Frank Kirkpatrick, author of The Episcopal Church in Crisis: How Sex, the Bible and Authority are Dividing the Faithful Inside Scientology Beliefs and Practices Begins at 23 min 31 sec This week we’re taking an in-depth look at the Church of Scientology, the controversial religion created by science fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard in 1952. We begin with an overview of the Church’s theology, which is based on the idea that everyone can discover a powerful, spiritual self, or Thetan. Hugh Urban, author of the 2006 article, “Fair Game: Secrecy, Security and the Church of Scientology in Cold War America” Web Extra: Hear the full interview     The St. Petersburg Times Investigation Begins at 31 min 10 sec According to the highest-ranking officials to ever leave the church, Scientology’s upper management is ruled by violence, secrecy and humiliation. They allege that the church’s current leader, David Miscavige (pictured), abused his staff for decades. They told their story to reporters at the St. Petersburg Times, which broke the news last month in a three-part series, The Truth Rundown. Joe Childs, supervisor of the St. Petersburg Times' Scientology coverage Thomas Tobin, St. Petersburg Times reporter on the Scientology  beat since 1996 Web Extra: Hear the full interview   ‘You’re On a Crusade': Amy Scobee’s Story Begins at 37 min 45 sec Amy Scobee joined the Church of Scientology when she was just 14 years old.  She went on to become a top staff member, managing the church's international base and helping build the network of Scientology Celebrity Centres. But she says after watching David Miscavige beat and taunt her colleagues for years, she decided the church had become a "cult." Scobee was one of the four defectors interviewed for the St. Petersburg Times series. Amy Scobee, oversaw several Scientology operations during a 20-year career Audio courtesy of the St. Petersburg Times and tampabay.com   Scientology Responds Begins at 46 min 1 sec In a written statement, the Church adamantly denies the findings of the Times report, stating that the four defectors are unreliable, and that the reporters did not give David Miscavige enough time to respond. Provided by Tommy Davis, Scientology spokesperson and director of the Scientology Celebrity Centre This Week's Interfaith Calendar    July 30- Tisha B'Av (Jewish) At sundown, Jews commemorate what has been called the"saddest day in Jewish history”-- Tisha B'Av. On the Hebrew calendar it falls on the 9th of Av, and according to tradition, by some strange coincidence a whole list of tragedies have struck the Jewish people on that day.  The first catastrophe happened in 586 BCE, when the first sacred temple built by the ancient Israelites was destroyed. Then, 656 years later on the very same day, the second temple, which had been built to replace the first one, was also burned.  Other misfortunes include the 9th of Av, 1492, when the edict to expel all Jews from Spain was made official.  Observant Jews honor Tisha B'Av by fasting and practicing mourning customs similar to those following the death of a close relative. The Episcopal Church Welcomes You Earlier this month, the Episcopal Church did what many clergy thought impossible just three years ago. The church's national convention voted to ordain gay and lesbian bishops, beginning what some have called the church's 'coming out' process. The outcome rocked the delegates, who sat in stunned silence after the result was announced. Frank Kirkpatick explains why the decision is widening the rift with the church's larger fellowship, the Anglican Communion. Frank Kirkpatrick, author of The Episcopal Church in Crisis: How Sex, the Bible and Authority are Dividing the Faithful Inside Scientology Beliefs and Practices Begins at 23 min 31 sec This week we’re taking an in-depth look at the Church of Scientology, the controversial religion created by science fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard in 1952. We begin with an overview of the Church’s theology, which is based on the idea that everyone can discover a powerful, spiritual self, or Thetan. Hugh Urban, author of the 2006 article, “Fair Game: Secrecy, Security and the Church of Scientology in Cold War America” Web Extra: Hear the full interview     The St. Petersburg Times Investigation Begins at 31 min 10 sec According to the highest-ranking officials to ever leave the church, Scientology’s upper management is ruled by violence, secrecy and humiliation. They allege that the church’s current leader, David Miscavige (pictured), abused his staff for decades. They told their story to reporters at the St. Petersburg Times, which broke the news last month in a three-part series, The Truth Rundown. Joe Childs, supervisor of the St. Petersburg Times' Scientology coverage Thomas Tobin, St. Petersburg Times reporter on the Scientology  beat since 1996 Web Extra: Hear the full interview   ‘You’re On a Crusade': Amy Scobee’s Story Begins at 37 min 45 sec Amy Scobee joined the Church of Scientology when she was just 14 years old.  She went on to become a top staff member, managing the church's international base and helping build the network of Scientology Celebrity Centres. But she says after watching David Miscavige beat and taunt her colleagues for years, she decided the church had become a "cult." Scobee was one of the four defectors interviewed for the St. Petersburg Times series. Amy Scobee, oversaw several Scientology operations during a 20-year career Audio courtesy of the St. Petersburg Times and tampabay.com   Scientology Responds Begins at 46 min 1 sec In a written statement, the Church adamantly denies the findings of the Times report, stating that the four defectors are unreliable, and that the reporters did not give David Miscavige enough time to respond. Provided by Tommy Davis, Scientology spokesperson and director of the Scientology Celebrity Centre This Week's Interfaith Calendar    July 30- Tisha B'Av (Jewish) At sundown, Jews commemorate what has been called the"saddest day in Jewish history”-- Tisha B'Av. On the Hebrew calendar it falls on the 9th of Av, and according to tradition, by some strange coincidence a whole list of tragedies have struck the Jewish people on that day.  The first catastrophe happened in 586 BCE, when the first sacred temple built by the ancient Israelites was destroyed. Then, 656 years later on the very same day, the second temple, which had been built to replace the first one, was also burned.  Other misfortunes include the 9th of Av, 1492, when the edict to expel all Jews from Spain was made official.  Observant Jews honor Tisha B'Av by fasting and practicing mourning customs similar to those following the death of a close relative. tag:odeo.com,2009-07-23,24858067 Thu, 23 Jul 2009 08:22:04 -0700 no Interfaith Voices Podcast (hour-long version) Religion & Spirituality, 2009 http://odeo.com/episodes/24820991-Pope-Benedict-the-Radical-Liberal A Holy (and Liberal) Blueprint for the World Economy Think Pope Benedict XVI is an uncompromising, unwavering conservative? Think again. In his first official statement on the worldwide economic meltdown, he calls for deep cuts in consumer spending, government regulation and even redistributing wealth around the world. Rev. Thomas Reese, SJ, senior fellow at the Woodstock Theological Center at Georgetown University Commentary: To Cover or Not to Cover? Begins at 24 min 12 sec If you watched Obama's meeting with the Pope last week, it was hard not to notice Mrs. Obama's designer black veil.  For Maureen, this simple lace headdress conjured up images of nuns in habits, Amish women in bonnets, Orthodox Jewish women in wigs, and Muslim women in hijabs.  Why, she wonders, do so many religious groups want women to cover their heads? Maureen Fiedler, Host Francis Collins, Finding God in the Human Genome Begins at 26 min 25 sec Dr. Francis Collins, the scientist who led the team t... A Holy (and Liberal) Blueprint for the World Economy Think Pope Benedict XVI is an uncompromising, unwavering conservative? Think again. In his first official statement on the worldwide economic meltdown, he calls for deep cuts in consumer spending, government regulation and even redistributing wealth around the world. Rev. Thomas Reese, SJ, senior fellow at the Woodstock Theological Center at Georgetown University Commentary: To Cover or Not to Cover? Begins at 24 min 12 sec If you watched Obama's meeting with the Pope last week, it was hard not to notice Mrs. Obama's designer black veil.  For Maureen, this simple lace headdress conjured up images of nuns in habits, Amish women in bonnets, Orthodox Jewish women in wigs, and Muslim women in hijabs.  Why, she wonders, do so many religious groups want women to cover their heads? Maureen Fiedler, Host Francis Collins, Finding God in the Human Genome Begins at 26 min 25 sec Dr. Francis Collins, the scientist who led the team that deciphered our genetic code, has just been nominated to head the National Institutes of Health.  Most reports describe Collins as an evangelical Christian, but in our interview from April, he calls himself non-denominational, saying, "I haven't noticed that there's all the much of a difference when you're on your knees in the church with other believers." Collins grew up an agnostic, became an atheist, and then – just as his immersion in the scientific world was deepening – he became a Christian.  His story is the reverse of popular stereotypes: science didn't destroy his faith, it strengthened it. Dr. Francis Collins, author of The Language of God: A Scientist Presents Evidence for Belief , now nominated to direct the National Institutes of Health Crashing the Party Begins at 47 min 37 sec Back before the economy went into the tank, many Bar and Bat Mitzvah parties had become so competitive that "over the top" was becoming the new normal.  Think filet mignon appetizers, hand-delivered invitations, and $10,000 celebrity impersonators. But the growing financial crisis may be crashing the party.  Rebecca Sheir explains. Produced by Rebecca Sheir This Week's Interfaith Calendar   July 19 - Lailat al Miraj (Muslim) Lailat al Miraj honors the one-night journey of the Prophet Muhammad from Mecca to Jerusalem, and finally, to the heavens. Many Muslims consider it a physical journey, but some scholars think of it as a mystical vision.  And there's definitely something dream-like about the story. According to tradition, Muhammad flies skyward on a strange creature called a Buraq, the traditional steed of the prophets.  It’s often depicted as a horse-like animal with the head of a man and long, beautiful wings. Here is a description of the night-time journey from the Sahih al-Bukhari, one of the six major hadith collections of Sunni Islam: I was brought by the Buraq, which is an animal white and long, larger than a donkey but smaller than a mule, who would place its hoof at a distance equal to the range of vision. A Holy (and Liberal) Blueprint for the World Economy Think Pope Benedict XVI is an uncompromising, unwavering conservative? Think again. In his first official statement on the worldwide economic meltdown, he calls for deep cuts in consumer spending, government regulation and even redistributing wealth around the world. Rev. Thomas Reese, SJ, senior fellow at the Woodstock Theological Center at Georgetown University Commentary: To Cover or Not to Cover? Begins at 24 min 12 sec If you watched Obama's meeting with the Pope last week, it was hard not to notice Mrs. Obama's designer black veil.  For Maureen, this simple lace headdress conjured up images of nuns in habits, Amish women in bonnets, Orthodox Jewish women in wigs, and Muslim women in hijabs.  Why, she wonders, do so many religious groups want women to cover their heads? Maureen Fiedler, Host Francis Collins, Finding God in the Human Genome Begins at 26 min 25 sec Dr. Francis Collins, the scientist who led the team that deciphered our genetic code, has just been nominated to head the National Institutes of Health.  Most reports describe Collins as an evangelical Christian, but in our interview from April, he calls himself non-denominational, saying, "I haven't noticed that there's all the much of a difference when you're on your knees in the church with other believers." Collins grew up an agnostic, became an atheist, and then – just as his immersion in the scientific world was deepening – he became a Christian.  His story is the reverse of popular stereotypes: science didn't destroy his faith, it strengthened it. Dr. Francis Collins, author of The Language of God: A Scientist Presents Evidence for Belief , now nominated to direct the National Institutes of Health Crashing the Party Begins at 47 min 37 sec Back before the economy went into the tank, many Bar and Bat Mitzvah parties had become so competitive that "over the top" was becoming the new normal.  Think filet mignon appetizers, hand-delivered invitations, and $10,000 celebrity impersonators. But the growing financial crisis may be crashing the party.  Rebecca Sheir explains. Produced by Rebecca Sheir This Week's Interfaith Calendar   July 19 - Lailat al Miraj (Muslim) Lailat al Miraj honors the one-night journey of the Prophet Muhammad from Mecca to Jerusalem, and finally, to the heavens. Many Muslims consider it a physical journey, but some scholars think of it as a mystical vision.  And there's definitely something dream-like about the story. According to tradition, Muhammad flies skyward on a strange creature called a Buraq, the traditional steed of the prophets.  It’s often depicted as a horse-like animal with the head of a man and long, beautiful wings. Here is a description of the night-time journey from the Sahih al-Bukhari, one of the six major hadith collections of Sunni Islam: I was brought by the Buraq, which is an animal white and long, larger than a donkey but smaller than a mule, who would place its hoof at a distance equal to the range of vision. tag:odeo.com,2009-07-16,24820991 Thu, 16 Jul 2009 08:34:57 -0700 no Interfaith Voices Podcast (hour-long version) Religion & Spirituality, 2009 http://odeo.com/episodes/24778769-Five-Hundred-Years-of-John-Calvin John Calvin, Not So Calvinist This week, it’s the life and legacy of John Calvin, the father of Presbyterianism, born 500 years ago this month.  He's often remembered as a moralistic party pooper, wagging his finger at graceless Christians.  In a new biography, Bruce Gordon paints the Protestant reformer as more complex, at once shy, hot-headed, intolerant and brilliant. Calvin is best known for adding a controversial twist to the idea of predestination, the belief that God has already decided who is saved.  In Calvin’s view, God also knows who is damned—leaving his critics asking, if you can’t change your fate, what’s the point of being good?  Bruce Gordon, author of Calvin American Idols and American Idolatry Begins at 23 min 24 sec For many of his followers, Michael Jackson’s funeral wasn't just a glitzy tribute, it was a religious experience. That’s because Jackson’s music, like the music of Elvis, David Bowie a... John Calvin, Not So Calvinist This week, it’s the life and legacy of John Calvin, the father of Presbyterianism, born 500 years ago this month.  He's often remembered as a moralistic party pooper, wagging his finger at graceless Christians.  In a new biography, Bruce Gordon paints the Protestant reformer as more complex, at once shy, hot-headed, intolerant and brilliant. Calvin is best known for adding a controversial twist to the idea of predestination, the belief that God has already decided who is saved.  In Calvin’s view, God also knows who is damned—leaving his critics asking, if you can’t change your fate, what’s the point of being good?  Bruce Gordon, author of Calvin American Idols and American Idolatry Begins at 23 min 24 sec For many of his followers, Michael Jackson’s funeral wasn't just a glitzy tribute, it was a religious experience. That’s because Jackson’s music, like the music of Elvis, David Bowie and countless others, has the real ability to transport fans elsewhere, taking them to a realm beyond pop culture. Gary Laderman explains why celebrity worship doesn’t just seem religious, it is religious. Gary Laderman, author of Sacred Matters: Celebrity Worship, Sexual Ecstasies, the Living Dead, and Other Signs of Religious Life in the United States Commentary: Sweatin’ to the Holy Begins at 32 min 22 sec A few Sundays ago, writer Karen Anderson laced up her running shoes for an early morning jog. As she ran past worshippers on their way out of church, she had a strange epiphany: she was in church, too.  Karen Anderson, writer based in Traverse City, Mich. God Goes Missing In Scandinavia Begins at 36 min 15 sec By some standards, Scandinavia is home to the most well-adjusted societies on earth. The region is known for its high literacy rates, low crime rates, top-notch education and welfare systems, and an overall knack for making the trains run on time.  But in countries like Denmark and Sweden, there’s something noticeably missing in the lives of most citizens: a belief in God.  Phil Zuckerman, author of Society Without God: What the Least Religious Nations Can Tell Us About Contentment This Week's Interfaith Calendar    July 13 - Obon (Buddhist) Do you ever wish that your long-deceased grandparents could come back for a visit?  According to the Buddhist tradition in Japan, the spirits of deceased ancestors do visit their living relatives during the summertime festival of Obon. It’s a time for family reunions and homecomings, when the airports are as busy as Thanksgiving weekend in the United States.  At night, the ancestors are welcomed with a ritual dance called the Obon Odori and paper lanterns are lit to aid their return journey to the land of the dead. John Calvin, Not So Calvinist This week, it’s the life and legacy of John Calvin, the father of Presbyterianism, born 500 years ago this month.  He's often remembered as a moralistic party pooper, wagging his finger at graceless Christians.  In a new biography, Bruce Gordon paints the Protestant reformer as more complex, at once shy, hot-headed, intolerant and brilliant. Calvin is best known for adding a controversial twist to the idea of predestination, the belief that God has already decided who is saved.  In Calvin’s view, God also knows who is damned—leaving his critics asking, if you can’t change your fate, what’s the point of being good?  Bruce Gordon, author of Calvin American Idols and American Idolatry Begins at 23 min 24 sec For many of his followers, Michael Jackson’s funeral wasn't just a glitzy tribute, it was a religious experience. That’s because Jackson’s music, like the music of Elvis, David Bowie and countless others, has the real ability to transport fans elsewhere, taking them to a realm beyond pop culture. Gary Laderman explains why celebrity worship doesn’t just seem religious, it is religious. Gary Laderman, author of Sacred Matters: Celebrity Worship, Sexual Ecstasies, the Living Dead, and Other Signs of Religious Life in the United States Commentary: Sweatin’ to the Holy Begins at 32 min 22 sec A few Sundays ago, writer Karen Anderson laced up her running shoes for an early morning jog. As she ran past worshippers on their way out of church, she had a strange epiphany: she was in church, too.  Karen Anderson, writer based in Traverse City, Mich. God Goes Missing In Scandinavia Begins at 36 min 15 sec By some standards, Scandinavia is home to the most well-adjusted societies on earth. The region is known for its high literacy rates, low crime rates, top-notch education and welfare systems, and an overall knack for making the trains run on time.  But in countries like Denmark and Sweden, there’s something noticeably missing in the lives of most citizens: a belief in God.  Phil Zuckerman, author of Society Without God: What the Least Religious Nations Can Tell Us About Contentment This Week's Interfaith Calendar    July 13 - Obon (Buddhist) Do you ever wish that your long-deceased grandparents could come back for a visit?  According to the Buddhist tradition in Japan, the spirits of deceased ancestors do visit their living relatives during the summertime festival of Obon. It’s a time for family reunions and homecomings, when the airports are as busy as Thanksgiving weekend in the United States.  At night, the ancestors are welcomed with a ritual dance called the Obon Odori and paper lanterns are lit to aid their return journey to the land of the dead. tag:odeo.com,2009-07-09,24778769 Thu, 09 Jul 2009 12:00:55 -0700 no Interfaith Voices Podcast (hour-long version) Arts & Entertainment, 2009 http://odeo.com/episodes/24747329-The-Strange-Appeal-of-Sacred-Body-Parts Whiskers, Bones, Toes and Teeth In Rag and Bone, author Peter Manseau explores the macabre world of religious relics—the bodily odds and ends of saints, gurus and prophets, scattered all around the world.  From Muhammed’s beard whisker to the Buddha’s tooth, he explains why we save and celebrate pieces of the dead. Peter Manseau, author of Rag and Bone: A Journey Among the World's Holy Dead , founding editor of killingthebuddha.com Commentary: Health Care For the Common Good Begins at 22 min 30 sec The common good is basic in most faith traditions; it means rising above personal interests and considering what’s best for everyone.  This week, Maureen shares her thoughts on what that might mean for health care, which she considers a basic human right. Maureen Fiedler, Host AIDS, Sex and the Black Church Begins at 25 min 25 sec For black Americans, the church has long been the center of powerful social change. But when it comes to AIDS, teen pregnancy ... Whiskers, Bones, Toes and Teeth In Rag and Bone, author Peter Manseau explores the macabre world of religious relics—the bodily odds and ends of saints, gurus and prophets, scattered all around the world.  From Muhammed’s beard whisker to the Buddha’s tooth, he explains why we save and celebrate pieces of the dead. Peter Manseau, author of Rag and Bone: A Journey Among the World's Holy Dead , founding editor of killingthebuddha.com Commentary: Health Care For the Common Good Begins at 22 min 30 sec The common good is basic in most faith traditions; it means rising above personal interests and considering what’s best for everyone.  This week, Maureen shares her thoughts on what that might mean for health care, which she considers a basic human right. Maureen Fiedler, Host AIDS, Sex and the Black Church Begins at 25 min 25 sec For black Americans, the church has long been the center of powerful social change. But when it comes to AIDS, teen pregnancy and other sexual health matters, the black church has been strangely quiet.  Reverend Damita "Penny" Willis, director of the National Black Religious Summit on Sexuality, explains how pastors are beginning to break the silence.  Rev. Damita "Penny" Willis, senior staff officer at Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice Inside the Quiverfull Movement Begins at 34 min 1 sec Quiverfull Christians believe children are the ultimate blessing from God – and say nothing should get in the way of having them.  Not abortions. Not birth control.  Not even natural family planning.  Though these big-family Christians number only in the thousands, Kathryn Joyce says they’re making a cultural impact that far outweighs their size. Kathryn Joyce, author of Quiverfull: Inside the Christian Patriarchy Movement 'It's Not Such a Pretty Picture': One Mother's Story Begins at 43 min 42 sec Vyckie Garrison was once the ideal Quiverfull wife: the mother of 7 kids, editor of a pro-family Christian newspaper, and even winner of Nebraska's "family of the year.”  But after her domineering husband pushed one of her daughters to attempt suicide, she began to lose her faith. Now an ex-member of the movement, she shares the highs and lows of life as a Quiverfull mother. Vyckie Garrison, creator of the blog No Longer Quivering This Week's Interfaith Calendar   July 9- Martyrdom of the Báb (Baha'i) For Baha’is, the Bab is the messenger of God and one of the founders of their faith.  At noon on this date in 1850, the Bab was scheduled to be executed by a firing squad. He had been imprisoned and sentenced to death by the religious leadership of Persia. As the story goes, a squad of 750 riflemen lined up and shot the Bab.  But when the smoke cleared, the Bab had disappeared!   According to the execution report, recorded in Tehran on July 22, 1850: "When the smoke and dust cleared away after the volley, Báb was not to be seen, and the populace proclaimed that he had ascended to the skies." He was later found back in his prison cell.  The Bab surrendered to the guards, and on the second attempt was finally put to death. His followers, known as Babis, recovered his body, which now rests Haifa, Israel (pictured.) Want more? Check out our 2008 interview with Hollywood’s nerdiest Baha’i: Rainn Wilson, aka Dwight Schrute from ‘The Office.’  Whiskers, Bones, Toes and Teeth In Rag and Bone, author Peter Manseau explores the macabre world of religious relics—the bodily odds and ends of saints, gurus and prophets, scattered all around the world.  From Muhammed’s beard whisker to the Buddha’s tooth, he explains why we save and celebrate pieces of the dead. Peter Manseau, author of Rag and Bone: A Journey Among the World's Holy Dead , founding editor of killingthebuddha.com Commentary: Health Care For the Common Good Begins at 22 min 30 sec The common good is basic in most faith traditions; it means rising above personal interests and considering what’s best for everyone.  This week, Maureen shares her thoughts on what that might mean for health care, which she considers a basic human right. Maureen Fiedler, Host AIDS, Sex and the Black Church Begins at 25 min 25 sec For black Americans, the church has long been the center of powerful social change. But when it comes to AIDS, teen pregnancy and other sexual health matters, the black church has been strangely quiet.  Reverend Damita "Penny" Willis, director of the National Black Religious Summit on Sexuality, explains how pastors are beginning to break the silence.  Rev. Damita "Penny" Willis, senior staff officer at Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice Inside the Quiverfull Movement Begins at 34 min 1 sec Quiverfull Christians believe children are the ultimate blessing from God – and say nothing should get in the way of having them.  Not abortions. Not birth control.  Not even natural family planning.  Though these big-family Christians number only in the thousands, Kathryn Joyce says they’re making a cultural impact that far outweighs their size. Kathryn Joyce, author of Quiverfull: Inside the Christian Patriarchy Movement 'It's Not Such a Pretty Picture': One Mother's Story Begins at 43 min 42 sec Vyckie Garrison was once the ideal Quiverfull wife: the mother of 7 kids, editor of a pro-family Christian newspaper, and even winner of Nebraska's "family of the year.”  But after her domineering husband pushed one of her daughters to attempt suicide, she began to lose her faith. Now an ex-member of the movement, she shares the highs and lows of life as a Quiverfull mother. Vyckie Garrison, creator of the blog No Longer Quivering This Week's Interfaith Calendar   July 9- Martyrdom of the Báb (Baha'i) For Baha’is, the Bab is the messenger of God and one of the founders of their faith.  At noon on this date in 1850, the Bab was scheduled to be executed by a firing squad. He had been imprisoned and sentenced to death by the religious leadership of Persia. As the story goes, a squad of 750 riflemen lined up and shot the Bab.  But when the smoke cleared, the Bab had disappeared!   According to the execution report, recorded in Tehran on July 22, 1850: "When the smoke and dust cleared away after the volley, Báb was not to be seen, and the populace proclaimed that he had ascended to the skies." He was later found back in his prison cell.  The Bab surrendered to the guards, and on the second attempt was finally put to death. His followers, known as Babis, recovered his body, which now rests Haifa, Israel (pictured.) Want more? Check out our 2008 interview with Hollywood’s nerdiest Baha’i: Rainn Wilson, aka Dwight Schrute from ‘The Office.’  tag:odeo.com,2009-07-01,24747329 Wed, 01 Jul 2009 13:36:49 -0700 no Interfaith Voices Podcast (hour-long version) Religion & Spirituality, 2009 http://odeo.com/episodes/24742664-Taking-the-Long-View-on-Democracy-in-Iran An American Bishop in Tehran Last year, the Episcopal Bishop of Washington visited Iran to discuss the impact of democracy on politics and religion.  His audience? The man who is now at the center of Iran’s disputed elections, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.   In this special rebroadcast from January, Bishop John Chane recounts his conversation with the Aytaollah, who is that country’s spiritual leader and highest authority. Bishop John Bryson Chane, the Episcopal Bishop of Washington, D.C. Shalom Auslander: Incurably, Miserably Religious Begins at 22 min 30 sec Shalom Auslander has got a bone to pick with God. Raised an Orthodox Jew, he reflects on what he learned about the Big Man Upstairs – an angry god who writes rules, punishes you for eating a cheeseburger, and walks around drunk in His underwear. Shalom Auslander, author of Foreskin’s Lament Made Perfectly, and Disabled Begins at 43 min 49 sec For people of faith living with disability, an equal... An American Bishop in Tehran Last year, the Episcopal Bishop of Washington visited Iran to discuss the impact of democracy on politics and religion.  His audience? The man who is now at the center of Iran’s disputed elections, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.   In this special rebroadcast from January, Bishop John Chane recounts his conversation with the Aytaollah, who is that country’s spiritual leader and highest authority. Bishop John Bryson Chane, the Episcopal Bishop of Washington, D.C. Shalom Auslander: Incurably, Miserably Religious Begins at 22 min 30 sec Shalom Auslander has got a bone to pick with God. Raised an Orthodox Jew, he reflects on what he learned about the Big Man Upstairs – an angry god who writes rules, punishes you for eating a cheeseburger, and walks around drunk in His underwear. Shalom Auslander, author of Foreskin’s Lament Made Perfectly, and Disabled Begins at 43 min 49 sec For people of faith living with disability, an equal place in church doesn’t mean just wheelchair ramps. They struggle with their fellow believers’ inability to understand them, and with their own trouble understanding why God made them the way they are. But instead of asking, "Why me?" many say, "Why not me?" Laura Lee Wright, Team Leader for Access Ministry at Northland Church, Orlando, Fla. This Week's Interfaith Calendar   July 7 - Asalha Puja Day (Theraveda Buddhist) In Thailand and other predominantly Theravedin cultures, Buddhists honor the Buddha’s very first sermon, which he delivered to five of his disciples in the Deer Park near Benares, India. He outlined the four noble truths, which form the core of Buddhist teaching. They are: 1. Life involves suffering. 2. The origin of suffering is attachment. 3. The cessation of suffering is attainable. 4. The eightfold path leads to the cessation of suffering. The components of the Buddha's Noble Eightfold Path: 1. Right View 2. Right Intention 3. Right Speech 4. Right Action 5. Right Livelihood 6. Right Effort 7. Right Mindfulness 8. Right Concentration Want to learn more? Listen to actress Vinessa Shaw and singer-songwriter Ravenna describe their journeys along the path to Enlightenment. An American Bishop in Tehran Last year, the Episcopal Bishop of Washington visited Iran to discuss the impact of democracy on politics and religion.  His audience? The man who is now at the center of Iran’s disputed elections, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.   In this special rebroadcast from January, Bishop John Chane recounts his conversation with the Aytaollah, who is that country’s spiritual leader and highest authority. Bishop John Bryson Chane, the Episcopal Bishop of Washington, D.C. Shalom Auslander: Incurably, Miserably Religious Begins at 22 min 30 sec Shalom Auslander has got a bone to pick with God. Raised an Orthodox Jew, he reflects on what he learned about the Big Man Upstairs – an angry god who writes rules, punishes you for eating a cheeseburger, and walks around drunk in His underwear. Shalom Auslander, author of Foreskin’s Lament Made Perfectly, and Disabled Begins at 43 min 49 sec For people of faith living with disability, an equal place in church doesn’t mean just wheelchair ramps. They struggle with their fellow believers’ inability to understand them, and with their own trouble understanding why God made them the way they are. But instead of asking, "Why me?" many say, "Why not me?" Laura Lee Wright, Team Leader for Access Ministry at Northland Church, Orlando, Fla. This Week's Interfaith Calendar   July 7 - Asalha Puja Day (Theraveda Buddhist) In Thailand and other predominantly Theravedin cultures, Buddhists honor the Buddha’s very first sermon, which he delivered to five of his disciples in the Deer Park near Benares, India. He outlined the four noble truths, which form the core of Buddhist teaching. They are: 1. Life involves suffering. 2. The origin of suffering is attachment. 3. The cessation of suffering is attainable. 4. The eightfold path leads to the cessation of suffering. The components of the Buddha's Noble Eightfold Path: 1. Right View 2. Right Intention 3. Right Speech 4. Right Action 5. Right Livelihood 6. Right Effort 7. Right Mindfulness 8. Right Concentration Want to learn more? Listen to actress Vinessa Shaw and singer-songwriter Ravenna describe their journeys along the path to Enlightenment. tag:odeo.com,2009-06-25,24742664 Thu, 25 Jun 2009 12:09:15 -0700 no Interfaith Voices Podcast (hour-long version) Religion & Spirituality, 2009 http://odeo.com/episodes/24742665-A-Mid-Year-News-Roundup Religion Redux An abortion doctor is murdered in church, Obama addresses the Muslim world, and gay marriage becomes legal in several states. Our regular news commentators discuss the ongoing impact of the most important stories on the religion beat over the last six months. Kevin Eckstrom, editor of Religion News Service Kim Lawton, reporter and managing editor of Religion and Ethics NewsWeekly   KidSpirit Magazine: The World According to Middle Schoolers Begins at 22 min 30 sec KidSpirit magazine helps young people tap into their natural wonder about God, religion and the origins of the Universe.  Each issue asks 11-to 15-year-olds big, spiritual questions, like, "Can Science explain religion?" or, "Is There a Limit to What We Should Know?"  It's all created for kids, by kids, and this week we meet its editor.  Plus, members of the KidSpirit editorial board read selections from the magazine, and 15-year-old Susan Yassky shares an essay about ... Religion Redux An abortion doctor is murdered in church, Obama addresses the Muslim world, and gay marriage becomes legal in several states. Our regular news commentators discuss the ongoing impact of the most important stories on the religion beat over the last six months. Kevin Eckstrom, editor of Religion News Service Kim Lawton, reporter and managing editor of Religion and Ethics NewsWeekly   KidSpirit Magazine: The World According to Middle Schoolers Begins at 22 min 30 sec KidSpirit magazine helps young people tap into their natural wonder about God, religion and the origins of the Universe.  Each issue asks 11-to 15-year-olds big, spiritual questions, like, "Can Science explain religion?" or, "Is There a Limit to What We Should Know?"  It's all created for kids, by kids, and this week we meet its editor.  Plus, members of the KidSpirit editorial board read selections from the magazine, and 15-year-old Susan Yassky shares an essay about her grandfather. Elizabeth Dabney Hochman, editor and publisher of KidSpirit Susan Yassky, member of the KidSpirit Editorial Board Short Term Missions = Short Term Impact? Begins at 36 min 6 sec This year, between 1 and 2 million American Christian missionaries will head to a foreign country, paint some houses, and go home.  But what happens to the people they leave behind? Are they really better off? Andy Crouch explains why there's often a huge gap between what Americans want to accomplish and what their hosts actually need. His new documentary, Round Trip, helps missionaries prepare for their journey. Andy Crouch, executive producer of Round Trip , senior editor at Christianity Today This Week's Interfaith Calendar June 21- Solstice (Pagan) On the summer solstice, daylight lasts longer than at any other time of the year. Followers of earth-based religions in Europe and elsewhere often celebrate the solstice, also known as Litha, by lighting a Midsummer’s bonfire. June 24- Birth of Saint John the Baptist (Christian) This Christian feast celebrates the birth of Jesus’ cousin, Saint John the Baptist.  According to Christian tradition, Saint John baptized Jesus, along with many of Jesus’ followers, on the banks of the Jordan river.  Most scholars believe this event actually happened during the life of the historical Jesus. Religion Redux An abortion doctor is murdered in church, Obama addresses the Muslim world, and gay marriage becomes legal in several states. Our regular news commentators discuss the ongoing impact of the most important stories on the religion beat over the last six months. Kevin Eckstrom, editor of Religion News Service Kim Lawton, reporter and managing editor of Religion and Ethics NewsWeekly   KidSpirit Magazine: The World According to Middle Schoolers Begins at 22 min 30 sec KidSpirit magazine helps young people tap into their natural wonder about God, religion and the origins of the Universe.  Each issue asks 11-to 15-year-olds big, spiritual questions, like, "Can Science explain religion?" or, "Is There a Limit to What We Should Know?"  It's all created for kids, by kids, and this week we meet its editor.  Plus, members of the KidSpirit editorial board read selections from the magazine, and 15-year-old Susan Yassky shares an essay about her grandfather. Elizabeth Dabney Hochman, editor and publisher of KidSpirit Susan Yassky, member of the KidSpirit Editorial Board Short Term Missions = Short Term Impact? Begins at 36 min 6 sec This year, between 1 and 2 million American Christian missionaries will head to a foreign country, paint some houses, and go home.  But what happens to the people they leave behind? Are they really better off? Andy Crouch explains why there's often a huge gap between what Americans want to accomplish and what their hosts actually need. His new documentary, Round Trip, helps missionaries prepare for their journey. Andy Crouch, executive producer of Round Trip , senior editor at Christianity Today This Week's Interfaith Calendar June 21- Solstice (Pagan) On the summer solstice, daylight lasts longer than at any other time of the year. Followers of earth-based religions in Europe and elsewhere often celebrate the solstice, also known as Litha, by lighting a Midsummer’s bonfire. June 24- Birth of Saint John the Baptist (Christian) This Christian feast celebrates the birth of Jesus’ cousin, Saint John the Baptist.  According to Christian tradition, Saint John baptized Jesus, along with many of Jesus’ followers, on the banks of the Jordan river.  Most scholars believe this event actually happened during the life of the historical Jesus. tag:odeo.com,2009-06-18,24742665 Thu, 18 Jun 2009 19:54:52 -0700 no Interfaith Voices Podcast (hour-long version) Religion & Spirituality, 2005 http://odeo.com/episodes/24733093-A-Mid-Year-News-Roundup Religion Redux An abortion doctor is murdered in church, Obama addresses the Muslim world, and gay marriage becomes legal in several states. Our regular news commentators discuss the ongoing impact of the most important stories on the religion beat over the last six months. Kevin Eckstrom, editor of Religion News Service Kim Lawton, reporter and managing editor of Religion and Ethics NewsWeekly   KidSpirit Magazine: The World According to Middle Schoolers Begins at 22 min 30 sec KidSpirit magazine helps young people tap into their natural wonder about God, religion and the origins of the Universe.  Each issue asks 11-to 15-year-olds big, spiritual questions, like, "Can Science explain religion?" or, "Is There a Limit to What We Should Know?"  It's all created for kids, by kids, and this week we meet its editor.  Plus, members of their all-kid editorial board read selections from the magazine, and we hear an essay by 13-year-old Susan Yassky. E... Religion Redux An abortion doctor is murdered in church, Obama addresses the Muslim world, and gay marriage becomes legal in several states. Our regular news commentators discuss the ongoing impact of the most important stories on the religion beat over the last six months. Kevin Eckstrom, editor of Religion News Service Kim Lawton, reporter and managing editor of Religion and Ethics NewsWeekly   KidSpirit Magazine: The World According to Middle Schoolers Begins at 22 min 30 sec KidSpirit magazine helps young people tap into their natural wonder about God, religion and the origins of the Universe.  Each issue asks 11-to 15-year-olds big, spiritual questions, like, "Can Science explain religion?" or, "Is There a Limit to What We Should Know?"  It's all created for kids, by kids, and this week we meet its editor.  Plus, members of their all-kid editorial board read selections from the magazine, and we hear an essay by 13-year-old Susan Yassky. Elizabeth Dabney Hochman, editor and publisher of KidSpirit Susan Yassky, member of the KidSpirit Editorial Board Short Term Missions = Short Term Impact? Begins at 36 min 6 sec This year, between 1 and 2 million American Christian missionaries will head to a foreign country, paint some houses, and go home.  But what happens to the people they leave behind? Are they really better off? Andy Crouch explains why there's often a huge gap between what Americans want to accomplish and what their hosts actually need. His new documentary, Round Trip, helps missionaries prepare for their journey. Andy Crouch, executive producer of Round Trip , senior editor at Christianity Today This Week's Interfaith Calendar June 21- Solstice (Pagan) On the summer solstice, daylight lasts longer than at any other time of the year. Followers of earth-based religions in Europe and elsewhere often celebrate the solstice, also known as Litha, by lighting a Midsummer’s bonfire. June 24- Birth of Saint John the Baptist (Christian) This Christian feast celebrates the birth of Jesus’ cousin, Saint John the Baptist.  According to Christian tradition, Saint John baptized Jesus, along with many of Jesus’ followers, on the banks of the Jordan river.  Most scholars believe this event actually happened during the life of the historical Jesus. Religion Redux An abortion doctor is murdered in church, Obama addresses the Muslim world, and gay marriage becomes legal in several states. Our regular news commentators discuss the ongoing impact of the most important stories on the religion beat over the last six months. Kevin Eckstrom, editor of Religion News Service Kim Lawton, reporter and managing editor of Religion and Ethics NewsWeekly   KidSpirit Magazine: The World According to Middle Schoolers Begins at 22 min 30 sec KidSpirit magazine helps young people tap into their natural wonder about God, religion and the origins of the Universe.  Each issue asks 11-to 15-year-olds big, spiritual questions, like, "Can Science explain religion?" or, "Is There a Limit to What We Should Know?"  It's all created for kids, by kids, and this week we meet its editor.  Plus, members of their all-kid editorial board read selections from the magazine, and we hear an essay by 13-year-old Susan Yassky. Elizabeth Dabney Hochman, editor and publisher of KidSpirit Susan Yassky, member of the KidSpirit Editorial Board Short Term Missions = Short Term Impact? Begins at 36 min 6 sec This year, between 1 and 2 million American Christian missionaries will head to a foreign country, paint some houses, and go home.  But what happens to the people they leave behind? Are they really better off? Andy Crouch explains why there's often a huge gap between what Americans want to accomplish and what their hosts actually need. His new documentary, Round Trip, helps missionaries prepare for their journey. Andy Crouch, executive producer of Round Trip , senior editor at Christianity Today This Week's Interfaith Calendar June 21- Solstice (Pagan) On the summer solstice, daylight lasts longer than at any other time of the year. Followers of earth-based religions in Europe and elsewhere often celebrate the solstice, also known as Litha, by lighting a Midsummer’s bonfire. June 24- Birth of Saint John the Baptist (Christian) This Christian feast celebrates the birth of Jesus’ cousin, Saint John the Baptist.  According to Christian tradition, Saint John baptized Jesus, along with many of Jesus’ followers, on the banks of the Jordan river.  Most scholars believe this event actually happened during the life of the historical Jesus. tag:odeo.com,2009-06-18,24733093 Thu, 18 Jun 2009 19:54:52 -0700 no Interfaith Voices Podcast (hour-long version) Religion & Spirituality, 2005 http://odeo.com/episodes/24742666-Margot-Adler-Redefining-the-Witch-Word Witches, Goddesses and Public Radio This week we're revisiting one of our favorite interviews from last year, with Margot Adler. Radio junkies know her as an NPR reporter whose pieces air regularly on Morning Edition and All Things Considered.  And pagans consider her a scholar of earth-based religion.  The former Jewish-atheist joins us to talk about the changing perception of the "witch word" and why if you look far enough back, all of us come from a pagan heritage. Margot Adler, NPR reporter, author of Drawing Down the Moon: Witches, Druids, Goddess-worshippers, and Other Pagans in America Commentary: Obama's Interfaith Fluency Begins at 23 min 4 sec President Obama "speaks Muslim"...and Catholic, and Jewish. Words from the Qu'ran roll off his tongue as easily as words from the Talmud or the New Testament. He can name Mohammed, Moses and Jesus in the same breath, and bless them all with the common Muslim phrase, "peace by upon them." Our ow... Witches, Goddesses and Public Radio This week we're revisiting one of our favorite interviews from last year, with Margot Adler. Radio junkies know her as an NPR reporter whose pieces air regularly on Morning Edition and All Things Considered.  And pagans consider her a scholar of earth-based religion.  The former Jewish-atheist joins us to talk about the changing perception of the "witch word" and why if you look far enough back, all of us come from a pagan heritage. Margot Adler, NPR reporter, author of Drawing Down the Moon: Witches, Druids, Goddess-worshippers, and Other Pagans in America Commentary: Obama's Interfaith Fluency Begins at 23 min 4 sec President Obama "speaks Muslim"...and Catholic, and Jewish. Words from the Qu'ran roll off his tongue as easily as words from the Talmud or the New Testament. He can name Mohammed, Moses and Jesus in the same breath, and bless them all with the common Muslim phrase, "peace by upon them." Our own Maureen Fiedler reflects on the subtle messages behind Obama's interfaith fluency. Maureen Fiedler, host Catholic and Hispanic Begins at 28 min 39 sec Miguel Diaz, a Hispanic Roman Catholic theologian, is Obama's pick for the next U.S. ambassador to the Vatican. That news came the same week Obama nominated another Hispanic Catholic, Judge Sonia Sotomayor for the Supreme Court. Carmen Nanko-Fernandez explains why for many observers, being Catholic is no longer an issue, but being Hispanic is. Carmen Nanko-Fernandez, former president of the Academy of Catholic Hispanic Theologians of the United States Postcard: Holy Martyrs of Vietnam Begins at 35 min 12 sec This week we visit the oldest Vietnamese Catholic parish in the country, on a tree-lined street in Arlington, Virginia. It's called Holy Martyrs of Vietnam, and this year the congregation celebrates its 30th anniversary. Laura Kwerel brings us this audio postcard from October. Produced by Laura Kwerel Web Extra: Hear a song from their Sunday service  Matisyahu, From Dreadlocks to Sidelocks Begins at 41 min 35 sec Under the yarmulke, curly beard and long side locks, Matisyahu is a lot like Bob Marley... the Orthodox Jewish version. Laura Kwerel caught up with the 29-year-old musician in our Washington, D.C. studio, where he played us a song from his new album, Shattered. Our story originally aired in December. Matisyahu, Jewish reggae star Web extra: Full in-studio performance of King Without a Crown and I Will Be Light  This Week's Interfaith Calendar    June 16 - Martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev (Sikh) On this day, Sikhs remember the first person to be martyred for their faith: Guru Arjan Dev (pictured, right).  As the 5th Sikh guru, he compiled the Adi Granth, an early collection of hymns and prayers.  It literally means "the first book."  This later became the core of the Granth Sahib, the sacred text that Sikhs revere as their tenth and final Guru. In the Sikh tradition, a guru is a spiritual teacher. Gurus are not incarnations of God themselves; they are simply highly gifted mentors who help others reach God. The first Guru and founder of Sikhism, Guru Nanak, explained the Guru's role this way: "The Palace of the Lord God is so beautiful. Within it, there are gems, rubies, pearls and flawless diamonds. A fortress of gold surrounds this Source of Nectar. How can I climb up to the Fortress without a ladder? By meditating on the Lord, through the Guru, I am blessed and exalted. The Guru is the Ladder, the Guru is the Boat, and the Guru is the Raft to take me to the Lord's Name." Witches, Goddesses and Public Radio This week we're revisiting one of our favorite interviews from last year, with Margot Adler. Radio junkies know her as an NPR reporter whose pieces air regularly on Morning Edition and All Things Considered.  And pagans consider her a scholar of earth-based religion.  The former Jewish-atheist joins us to talk about the changing perception of the "witch word" and why if you look far enough back, all of us come from a pagan heritage. Margot Adler, NPR reporter, author of Drawing Down the Moon: Witches, Druids, Goddess-worshippers, and Other Pagans in America Commentary: Obama's Interfaith Fluency Begins at 23 min 4 sec President Obama "speaks Muslim"...and Catholic, and Jewish. Words from the Qu'ran roll off his tongue as easily as words from the Talmud or the New Testament. He can name Mohammed, Moses and Jesus in the same breath, and bless them all with the common Muslim phrase, "peace by upon them." Our own Maureen Fiedler reflects on the subtle messages behind Obama's interfaith fluency. Maureen Fiedler, host Catholic and Hispanic Begins at 28 min 39 sec Miguel Diaz, a Hispanic Roman Catholic theologian, is Obama's pick for the next U.S. ambassador to the Vatican. That news came the same week Obama nominated another Hispanic Catholic, Judge Sonia Sotomayor for the Supreme Court. Carmen Nanko-Fernandez explains why for many observers, being Catholic is no longer an issue, but being Hispanic is. Carmen Nanko-Fernandez, former president of the Academy of Catholic Hispanic Theologians of the United States Postcard: Holy Martyrs of Vietnam Begins at 35 min 12 sec This week we visit the oldest Vietnamese Catholic parish in the country, on a tree-lined street in Arlington, Virginia. It's called Holy Martyrs of Vietnam, and this year the congregation celebrates its 30th anniversary. Laura Kwerel brings us this audio postcard from October. Produced by Laura Kwerel Web Extra: Hear a song from their Sunday service  Matisyahu, From Dreadlocks to Sidelocks Begins at 41 min 35 sec Under the yarmulke, curly beard and long side locks, Matisyahu is a lot like Bob Marley... the Orthodox Jewish version. Laura Kwerel caught up with the 29-year-old musician in our Washington, D.C. studio, where he played us a song from his new album, Shattered. Our story originally aired in December. Matisyahu, Jewish reggae star Web extra: Full in-studio performance of King Without a Crown and I Will Be Light  This Week's Interfaith Calendar    June 16 - Martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev (Sikh) On this day, Sikhs remember the first person to be martyred for their faith: Guru Arjan Dev (pictured, right).  As the 5th Sikh guru, he compiled the Adi Granth, an early collection of hymns and prayers.  It literally means "the first book."  This later became the core of the Granth Sahib, the sacred text that Sikhs revere as their tenth and final Guru. In the Sikh tradition, a guru is a spiritual teacher. Gurus are not incarnations of God themselves; they are simply highly gifted mentors who help others reach God. The first Guru and founder of Sikhism, Guru Nanak, explained the Guru's role this way: "The Palace of the Lord God is so beautiful. Within it, there are gems, rubies, pearls and flawless diamonds. A fortress of gold surrounds this Source of Nectar. How can I climb up to the Fortress without a ladder? By meditating on the Lord, through the Guru, I am blessed and exalted. The Guru is the Ladder, the Guru is the Boat, and the Guru is the Raft to take me to the Lord's Name." tag:odeo.com,2009-06-11,24742666 Thu, 11 Jun 2009 03:59:31 -0700 no Interfaith Voices Podcast (hour-long version) Religion & Spirituality, 2009 http://odeo.com/episodes/24692692-Margot-Adler-Redefining-the-Witch-Word Witches, Goddesses and Public Radio This week we're revisiting one of our favorite interviews from last year, with Margot Adler. Radio junkies know her as an NPR reporter whose pieces air regularly on Morning Edition and All Things Considered.  And pagans consider her a scholar of earth-based religion.  The former Jewish-atheist joins us to talk about the changing perception of the "witch word" and why if you look far enough back, all of us come from a pagan heritage. Margot Adler, NPR reporter, author of Drawing Down the Moon: Witches, Druids, Goddess-worshippers, and Other Pagans in America Commentary: Obama's Interfaith Fluency Begins at 23 min 4 sec President Obama "speaks Muslim"...and his Catholic and Jewish aren't too bad either. Words from the Qu'ran roll off his tongue as easily as words from the Talmud or the New Testament.  He can name Mohammed, Moses and Jesus in the same breath, and top it off with the common Muslim phrase, "peace... Witches, Goddesses and Public Radio This week we're revisiting one of our favorite interviews from last year, with Margot Adler. Radio junkies know her as an NPR reporter whose pieces air regularly on Morning Edition and All Things Considered.  And pagans consider her a scholar of earth-based religion.  The former Jewish-atheist joins us to talk about the changing perception of the "witch word" and why if you look far enough back, all of us come from a pagan heritage. Margot Adler, NPR reporter, author of Drawing Down the Moon: Witches, Druids, Goddess-worshippers, and Other Pagans in America Commentary: Obama's Interfaith Fluency Begins at 23 min 4 sec President Obama "speaks Muslim"...and his Catholic and Jewish aren't too bad either. Words from the Qu'ran roll off his tongue as easily as words from the Talmud or the New Testament.  He can name Mohammed, Moses and Jesus in the same breath, and top it off with the common Muslim phrase, "peace by upon them." Our own Maureen Fielder reflects on the subtle pleasures of Obama's interfaith fluency. Maureen Fiedler, host Catholic and Hispanic Begins at 28 min 39 sec A Hispanic Roman Catholic theologian is Obama's pick for the next U.S. ambassador to the Vatican.  That news came the same week Obama nominated another Hispanic Catholic, Judge Sonia Sotomayor, for the Supreme Court.  Carmen Nanko-Fernandez explains why for many observers, being Catholic is no longer an issue, but being Hispanic is. Carmen Nanko-Fernandez, immediate Past-President of the Academy of Catholic Hispanic Theologians of the United States Postcard: Holy Martyrs of Vietnam Begins at 35 min 12 sec This week we visit the oldest Vietnamese Catholic parish in the country, on a tree-lined street in Arlington, Virginia.   It's called Holy Martyrs of Vietnam, and this year the congregation celebrates its 30th anniversary.  Laura Kwerel brings us this audio postcard from October. Produced by Laura Kwerel Web Extra: Hear a song from their Sunday service  Matisyahu, From Dreadlocks to Sidelocks Begins at 41 min 35 sec Under the yarmulke, curly beard and long side burns, Matisyahu is a lot like Bob Marley... the Orthodox Jewish version. Laura Kwerel caught up with the 29-year-old musician in our Washington, D.C. studio, where he played us a song from his new album, Shattered.  Our story originally aired in December. Matisyahu, Jewish reggae star Web extra: Full in-studio performance of King Without a Crown and I Will Be Light  This Week's Interfaith Calendar June 16- Martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev (Sikh) On this day, Sikhs remember the first person to be martyred for their faith: Guru Arjan Dev.  As the 5th Sikh guru, he compiled the Adi Granth, an early collection of hymns and prayers.  It literally means "the first book."  This later became the core of the Granth Sahib, the sacred text that Sikhs revere as their tenth and final Guru. In the Hindu tradition, a guru is a spiritual teacher. Gurus are not incarnations of God themselves; they are simply highly gifted mentors who help others reach God. The first Guru and founded of Sikhim, Guru Nanak, explained the Guru's role this way: "The Palace of the Lord God is so beautiful. Within it, there are gems, rubies, pearls and flawless diamonds. A fortress of gold surrounds this Source of Nectar. How can I climb up to the Fortress without a ladder? By meditating on the Lord, through the Guru, I am blessed and exalted. The Guru is the Ladder, the Guru is the Boat, and the Guru is the Raft to take me to the Lord's Name." Witches, Goddesses and Public Radio This week we're revisiting one of our favorite interviews from last year, with Margot Adler. Radio junkies know her as an NPR reporter whose pieces air regularly on Morning Edition and All Things Considered.  And pagans consider her a scholar of earth-based religion.  The former Jewish-atheist joins us to talk about the changing perception of the "witch word" and why if you look far enough back, all of us come from a pagan heritage. Margot Adler, NPR reporter, author of Drawing Down the Moon: Witches, Druids, Goddess-worshippers, and Other Pagans in America Commentary: Obama's Interfaith Fluency Begins at 23 min 4 sec President Obama "speaks Muslim"...and his Catholic and Jewish aren't too bad either. Words from the Qu'ran roll off his tongue as easily as words from the Talmud or the New Testament.  He can name Mohammed, Moses and Jesus in the same breath, and top it off with the common Muslim phrase, "peace by upon them." Our own Maureen Fielder reflects on the subtle pleasures of Obama's interfaith fluency. Maureen Fiedler, host Catholic and Hispanic Begins at 28 min 39 sec A Hispanic Roman Catholic theologian is Obama's pick for the next U.S. ambassador to the Vatican.  That news came the same week Obama nominated another Hispanic Catholic, Judge Sonia Sotomayor, for the Supreme Court.  Carmen Nanko-Fernandez explains why for many observers, being Catholic is no longer an issue, but being Hispanic is. Carmen Nanko-Fernandez, immediate Past-President of the Academy of Catholic Hispanic Theologians of the United States Postcard: Holy Martyrs of Vietnam Begins at 35 min 12 sec This week we visit the oldest Vietnamese Catholic parish in the country, on a tree-lined street in Arlington, Virginia.   It's called Holy Martyrs of Vietnam, and this year the congregation celebrates its 30th anniversary.  Laura Kwerel brings us this audio postcard from October. Produced by Laura Kwerel Web Extra: Hear a song from their Sunday service  Matisyahu, From Dreadlocks to Sidelocks Begins at 41 min 35 sec Under the yarmulke, curly beard and long side burns, Matisyahu is a lot like Bob Marley... the Orthodox Jewish version. Laura Kwerel caught up with the 29-year-old musician in our Washington, D.C. studio, where he played us a song from his new album, Shattered.  Our story originally aired in December. Matisyahu, Jewish reggae star Web extra: Full in-studio performance of King Without a Crown and I Will Be Light  This Week's Interfaith Calendar June 16- Martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev (Sikh) On this day, Sikhs remember the first person to be martyred for their faith: Guru Arjan Dev.  As the 5th Sikh guru, he compiled the Adi Granth, an early collection of hymns and prayers.  It literally means "the first book."  This later became the core of the Granth Sahib, the sacred text that Sikhs revere as their tenth and final Guru. In the Hindu tradition, a guru is a spiritual teacher. Gurus are not incarnations of God themselves; they are simply highly gifted mentors who help others reach God. The first Guru and founded of Sikhim, Guru Nanak, explained the Guru's role this way: "The Palace of the Lord God is so beautiful. Within it, there are gems, rubies, pearls and flawless diamonds. A fortress of gold surrounds this Source of Nectar. How can I climb up to the Fortress without a ladder? By meditating on the Lord, through the Guru, I am blessed and exalted. The Guru is the Ladder, the Guru is the Boat, and the Guru is the Raft to take me to the Lord's Name." tag:odeo.com,2009-06-11,24692692 Thu, 11 Jun 2009 03:59:31 -0700 no Interfaith Voices Podcast (hour-long version) Religion & Spirituality, 2009 http://odeo.com/episodes/24656156-Feminist-Theology-101 All About Eve We often hear about Abraham, the Biblical father of Jews, Christians, and Muslims, but not so much about his wife, Sarah.  We hear God described as a man, a white-bearded disciplinarian in the sky…but rarely is God called a mother, a nurturer, a woman.  And then there’s Eve, who, according to the standard interpretation of the book of Genesis, sprung forth from Adam’s rib: the original second-class citizen. Feminist theology is trying to change these kinds of views, and this week, we find out how—and why. Judith Plaskow, author of Standing Again at Sinai: Judaism from a Feminist Perspective Mary Hunt, author of Fierce Tenderness: Toward a Feminist Theology of Friendship Israel’s Holocaust ‘Obsession’? Begins at 22 min 56 sec In a controversial new book, Avraham Burg argues that Israel is “stuck in Auschwitz,” using the Holocaust as the defining experience of Jewish identity. This former speaker of the Isr... All About Eve We often hear about Abraham, the Biblical father of Jews, Christians, and Muslims, but not so much about his wife, Sarah.  We hear God described as a man, a white-bearded disciplinarian in the sky…but rarely is God called a mother, a nurturer, a woman.  And then there’s Eve, who, according to the standard interpretation of the book of Genesis, sprung forth from Adam’s rib: the original second-class citizen. Feminist theology is trying to change these kinds of views, and this week, we find out how—and why. Judith Plaskow, author of Standing Again at Sinai: Judaism from a Feminist Perspective Mary Hunt, author of Fierce Tenderness: Toward a Feminist Theology of Friendship Israel’s Holocaust ‘Obsession’? Begins at 22 min 56 sec In a controversial new book, Avraham Burg argues that Israel is “stuck in Auschwitz,” using the Holocaust as the defining experience of Jewish identity. This former speaker of the Israeli Parliament says his country's preoccupation has led to an unhealthy nationalism that mourns the past, fears the future and feeds violence.  Avraham Burg, author of The Holocaust is Over: We Must Rise from Its Ashes Jews and The Shoah: Another View Begins at 37 min 12 sec Daniel Gordis also views Israel as Holocaust-centric, but doesn’t think it impacts Israeli politics as negatively as Burg suggests.  He emphasizes Israel’s mandate to remember, and points out that the country was founded by survivors of the Holocaust. Daniel Gordis, author of Saving Israel: How the Jewish State Can Win a War That May Never End Thomas Berry, Eco-Theologian Begins at 49 min 15 sec Maureen remembers Rev. Thomas Berry, a beloved Catholic priest and cosmologist.  He died this week at the age of 94.  Berry celebrated the connection between human beings and the Earth, and was one of the first theologians to suggest that the environmental crisis is a spiritual crisis. Maureen Fiedler, Host This Week's Interfaith Calendar June 11 - Corpus Christi (Catholic Christian) Catholic Christians believe that during the Mass, ordinary bread and wine become the living body and blood of Jesus, which they call the "Eucharist." On the feast of Corpus Christi ("body of Christ" in Latin), Catholics in Poland, Italy and other countries parade the Eucharist through the streets, using a special container called a monstrance (pictured).   Other Christian denominations also celebrate the Eucharist. Here's a recipe for Eucharistic bread used by St. Timothy's Episcopal Church in Mountain View, Calif.: 4 cups whole wheat flour 4 teaspoons baking powder 2 teaspoons salt 4 tablespoons brown sugar 1/2 cup honey or molasses (or a 1/4 cup of each) 1/2 cup oil 3/4 cup milk 3/4 cup warm water Heat oven to 350 degrees. Mix the dry ingredients. In a separate large bowl, mix together honey (and molasses), oil, milk and warm water. Add the dry ingredients one cup at a time to avoid lumping. Knead for 1 minute using more whole-wheat flour until the dough is not sticky. Roll into 1/2 inch thickness and cut into 2"-5" circles (depending on your need). Score the top of one side in quarters (don't be too shy because the light scoring disappears in the baking process). Bake for 5 minutes on each side. Cool completely before storing in plastic bags. Enjoy! All About Eve We often hear about Abraham, the Biblical father of Jews, Christians, and Muslims, but not so much about his wife, Sarah.  We hear God described as a man, a white-bearded disciplinarian in the sky…but rarely is God called a mother, a nurturer, a woman.  And then there’s Eve, who, according to the standard interpretation of the book of Genesis, sprung forth from Adam’s rib: the original second-class citizen. Feminist theology is trying to change these kinds of views, and this week, we find out how—and why. Judith Plaskow, author of Standing Again at Sinai: Judaism from a Feminist Perspective Mary Hunt, author of Fierce Tenderness: Toward a Feminist Theology of Friendship Israel’s Holocaust ‘Obsession’? Begins at 22 min 56 sec In a controversial new book, Avraham Burg argues that Israel is “stuck in Auschwitz,” using the Holocaust as the defining experience of Jewish identity. This former speaker of the Israeli Parliament says his country's preoccupation has led to an unhealthy nationalism that mourns the past, fears the future and feeds violence.  Avraham Burg, author of The Holocaust is Over: We Must Rise from Its Ashes Jews and The Shoah: Another View Begins at 37 min 12 sec Daniel Gordis also views Israel as Holocaust-centric, but doesn’t think it impacts Israeli politics as negatively as Burg suggests.  He emphasizes Israel’s mandate to remember, and points out that the country was founded by survivors of the Holocaust. Daniel Gordis, author of Saving Israel: How the Jewish State Can Win a War That May Never End Thomas Berry, Eco-Theologian Begins at 49 min 15 sec Maureen remembers Rev. Thomas Berry, a beloved Catholic priest and cosmologist.  He died this week at the age of 94.  Berry celebrated the connection between human beings and the Earth, and was one of the first theologians to suggest that the environmental crisis is a spiritual crisis. Maureen Fiedler, Host This Week's Interfaith Calendar June 11 - Corpus Christi (Catholic Christian) Catholic Christians believe that during the Mass, ordinary bread and wine become the living body and blood of Jesus, which they call the "Eucharist." On the feast of Corpus Christi ("body of Christ" in Latin), Catholics in Poland, Italy and other countries parade the Eucharist through the streets, using a special container called a monstrance (pictured).   Other Christian denominations also celebrate the Eucharist. Here's a recipe for Eucharistic bread used by St. Timothy's Episcopal Church in Mountain View, Calif.: 4 cups whole wheat flour 4 teaspoons baking powder 2 teaspoons salt 4 tablespoons brown sugar 1/2 cup honey or molasses (or a 1/4 cup of each) 1/2 cup oil 3/4 cup milk 3/4 cup warm water Heat oven to 350 degrees. Mix the dry ingredients. In a separate large bowl, mix together honey (and molasses), oil, milk and warm water. Add the dry ingredients one cup at a time to avoid lumping. Knead for 1 minute using more whole-wheat flour until the dough is not sticky. Roll into 1/2 inch thickness and cut into 2"-5" circles (depending on your need). Score the top of one side in quarters (don't be too shy because the light scoring disappears in the baking process). Bake for 5 minutes on each side. Cool completely before storing in plastic bags. Enjoy! tag:odeo.com,2009-06-04,24656156 Thu, 04 Jun 2009 10:46:47 -0700 no Interfaith Voices Podcast (hour-long version) 2009 http://odeo.com/episodes/24675116-Feminist-Theology-101 All About Eve We often hear about Abraham, the Biblical father of Jews, Christians, and Muslims, but not so much about his wife, Sarah.  We hear God described as a man, a white-bearded disciplinarian in the sky…but rarely is God called a mother, a nurturer, a woman.  And then there’s Eve, who, according to the standard interpretation of the book of Genesis, sprung forth from Adam’s rib: the original second-class citizen. Feminist theology is trying to change these kinds of views, and this week, we find out how—and why. Judith Plaskow, author of Standing Again at Sinai: Judaism from a Feminist Perspective Mary Hunt, author of Fierce Tenderness: Toward a Feminist Theology of Friendship Web Extra: Hear Maureen's unedited interview  Israel’s Holocaust ‘Obsession’? Begins at 22 min 56 sec In a controversial new book, Avraham Burg argues that Israel is “stuck in Auschwitz,” using the Holocaust as the defining experience... All About Eve We often hear about Abraham, the Biblical father of Jews, Christians, and Muslims, but not so much about his wife, Sarah.  We hear God described as a man, a white-bearded disciplinarian in the sky…but rarely is God called a mother, a nurturer, a woman.  And then there’s Eve, who, according to the standard interpretation of the book of Genesis, sprung forth from Adam’s rib: the original second-class citizen. Feminist theology is trying to change these kinds of views, and this week, we find out how—and why. Judith Plaskow, author of Standing Again at Sinai: Judaism from a Feminist Perspective Mary Hunt, author of Fierce Tenderness: Toward a Feminist Theology of Friendship Web Extra: Hear Maureen's unedited interview  Israel’s Holocaust ‘Obsession’? Begins at 22 min 56 sec In a controversial new book, Avraham Burg argues that Israel is “stuck in Auschwitz,” using the Holocaust as the defining experience of Jewish identity. This former speaker of the Israeli Parliament says his country's preoccupation has led to an unhealthy nationalism that mourns the past, fears the future and feeds violence.  Avraham Burg, author of The Holocaust is Over: We Must Rise from Its Ashes Jews and The Shoah: Another View Begins at 37 min 12 sec Daniel Gordis also views Israel as Holocaust-centric, but doesn’t think it impacts Israeli politics as negatively as Burg suggests.  He emphasizes Israel’s mandate to remember, and points out that the country was founded by survivors of the Holocaust. Daniel Gordis, author of Saving Israel: How the Jewish State Can Win a War That May Never End Thomas Berry, Eco-Theologian Begins at 49 min 15 sec Maureen remembers Rev. Thomas Berry, a beloved Catholic priest and cosmologist.  He died this week at the age of 94.  Berry celebrated the connection between human beings and the Earth, and was one of the first theologians to suggest that the environmental crisis is a spiritual crisis. Maureen Fiedler, Host Read Maureen's commentary This Week's Interfaith Calendar June 11 - Corpus Christi (Catholic Christian) Catholic Christians believe that during the Mass, ordinary bread and wine become the living body and blood of Jesus, which they call the "Eucharist." On the feast of Corpus Christi ("body of Christ" in Latin), Catholics in Poland, Italy and other countries parade the Eucharist through the streets, using a special container called a monstrance (pictured).   Other Christian denominations also celebrate the Eucharist. Here's a recipe for Eucharistic bread used by St. Timothy's Episcopal Church in Mountain View, Calif.: 4 cups whole wheat flour 4 teaspoons baking powder 2 teaspoons salt 4 tablespoons brown sugar 1/2 cup honey or molasses (or a 1/4 cup of each) 1/2 cup oil 3/4 cup milk 3/4 cup warm water Heat oven to 350 degrees. Mix the dry ingredients. In a separate large bowl, mix together honey (and molasses), oil, milk and warm water. Add the dry ingredients one cup at a time to avoid lumping. Knead for 1 minute using more whole-wheat flour until the dough is not sticky. Roll into 1/2 inch thickness and cut into 2"-5" circles (depending on your need). Score the top of one side in quarters (don't be too shy because the light scoring disappears in the baking process). Bake for 5 minutes on each side. Cool completely before storing in plastic bags. Enjoy! All About Eve We often hear about Abraham, the Biblical father of Jews, Christians, and Muslims, but not so much about his wife, Sarah.  We hear God described as a man, a white-bearded disciplinarian in the sky…but rarely is God called a mother, a nurturer, a woman.  And then there’s Eve, who, according to the standard interpretation of the book of Genesis, sprung forth from Adam’s rib: the original second-class citizen. Feminist theology is trying to change these kinds of views, and this week, we find out how—and why. Judith Plaskow, author of Standing Again at Sinai: Judaism from a Feminist Perspective Mary Hunt, author of Fierce Tenderness: Toward a Feminist Theology of Friendship Web Extra: Hear Maureen's unedited interview  Israel’s Holocaust ‘Obsession’? Begins at 22 min 56 sec In a controversial new book, Avraham Burg argues that Israel is “stuck in Auschwitz,” using the Holocaust as the defining experience of Jewish identity. This former speaker of the Israeli Parliament says his country's preoccupation has led to an unhealthy nationalism that mourns the past, fears the future and feeds violence.  Avraham Burg, author of The Holocaust is Over: We Must Rise from Its Ashes Jews and The Shoah: Another View Begins at 37 min 12 sec Daniel Gordis also views Israel as Holocaust-centric, but doesn’t think it impacts Israeli politics as negatively as Burg suggests.  He emphasizes Israel’s mandate to remember, and points out that the country was founded by survivors of the Holocaust. Daniel Gordis, author of Saving Israel: How the Jewish State Can Win a War That May Never End Thomas Berry, Eco-Theologian Begins at 49 min 15 sec Maureen remembers Rev. Thomas Berry, a beloved Catholic priest and cosmologist.  He died this week at the age of 94.  Berry celebrated the connection between human beings and the Earth, and was one of the first theologians to suggest that the environmental crisis is a spiritual crisis. Maureen Fiedler, Host Read Maureen's commentary This Week's Interfaith Calendar June 11 - Corpus Christi (Catholic Christian) Catholic Christians believe that during the Mass, ordinary bread and wine become the living body and blood of Jesus, which they call the "Eucharist." On the feast of Corpus Christi ("body of Christ" in Latin), Catholics in Poland, Italy and other countries parade the Eucharist through the streets, using a special container called a monstrance (pictured).   Other Christian denominations also celebrate the Eucharist. Here's a recipe for Eucharistic bread used by St. Timothy's Episcopal Church in Mountain View, Calif.: 4 cups whole wheat flour 4 teaspoons baking powder 2 teaspoons salt 4 tablespoons brown sugar 1/2 cup honey or molasses (or a 1/4 cup of each) 1/2 cup oil 3/4 cup milk 3/4 cup warm water Heat oven to 350 degrees. Mix the dry ingredients. In a separate large bowl, mix together honey (and molasses), oil, milk and warm water. Add the dry ingredients one cup at a time to avoid lumping. Knead for 1 minute using more whole-wheat flour until the dough is not sticky. Roll into 1/2 inch thickness and cut into 2"-5" circles (depending on your need). Score the top of one side in quarters (don't be too shy because the light scoring disappears in the baking process). Bake for 5 minutes on each side. Cool completely before storing in plastic bags. Enjoy! tag:odeo.com,2009-06-04,24675116 Thu, 04 Jun 2009 10:46:47 -0700 no Interfaith Voices Podcast (hour-long version) Religion & Spirituality, 2009 http://odeo.com/episodes/24675120-Searching-For-The-Fingerprints-of-God The Science of Spirituality National Public Radio's religion correspondent ponders the limits of science, and raises some big questions: Does spirituality run in families? Is there a God gene?  And how do we explain near-death experiences? She explains how new technologies are helping scientists study the brain during intense religious experiences, from drug-induced ecstasies to meditation. Barbara Bradley Hagerty, author of Fingerprints of God: The Search for the Science of Spirituality The Psychology of the Soul Begins at 23 min 17 sec Thinkers like Carl Jung and William James paved the way for Psychology of Religion and Spirituality, which debuted earlier this year. Published by the American Psychological Association, it’s the first academic journal of peer-reviewed research on how faith affects human behavior. Dr. Ralph Piedmont, editor of Psychology of Religion and Spirituality Commentary: Shareholder Activism Begins at 31 min 38 sec For decades, religious groups hav... The Science of Spirituality National Public Radio's religion correspondent ponders the limits of science, and raises some big questions: Does spirituality run in families? Is there a God gene?  And how do we explain near-death experiences? She explains how new technologies are helping scientists study the brain during intense religious experiences, from drug-induced ecstasies to meditation. Barbara Bradley Hagerty, author of Fingerprints of God: The Search for the Science of Spirituality The Psychology of the Soul Begins at 23 min 17 sec Thinkers like Carl Jung and William James paved the way for Psychology of Religion and Spirituality, which debuted earlier this year. Published by the American Psychological Association, it’s the first academic journal of peer-reviewed research on how faith affects human behavior. Dr. Ralph Piedmont, editor of Psychology of Religion and Spirituality Commentary: Shareholder Activism Begins at 31 min 38 sec For decades, religious groups have been watching their stocks to make sure the companies they’re invested in are socially responsible.  And they're not afraid to speak up, pushing resolutions on worker justice, pollution, executive compensation and much more.    Mary Ann McGivern, member of the Loretto Community of women religious Sacred Jazz Begins at 36 min 49 sec Jazz great Mary Lou Williams (pictured) believed that jazz and prayer were "twin mates of spiritual expression."  She developed a style known as “sacred jazz,” which went on to inspire Duke Ellington and John Coltrane.  Catholic jazz artist Deanna Witkowski introduces us to this little-known genre, and shares her new album, which sets Christians prayers, hymns and psalms to music for a jazz quartet.   Deanna Witkowski, jazz pianist/composer/vocalist.  Her new album is From This Place  Twenty-Four Hour Chant Begins at 49 min 4 sec This Earth Day, about 60 Buddhists gathered at a Unitarian church in Colorado Springs to chant for 24 hours. They chanted in shifts, from one to four hours at a time, in the language of the early Buddhist scriptures. Producer Bob Thomason was there, and sent us this audio postcard. Produced by Bob Thomason, producer and reporter for KRCC This Week's Interfaith Calendar May 31 - Pentecost (Christian) On Pentecost, Christians remember the day when the Holy Spirit descended upon the followers of Jesus.   As the story goes in the New Testament,  the disciples had all gathered in Jerusalem, when a violent, blowing wind came down from the heavens, filling the place with sound. The Holy Spirit came to rest on them, in the form of “tongues of fire”, and everyone began to understand each other's native language, even though they had come from many different nations.  This is the first mention in the Bible of what we now call "speaking in tongues," and the basis of the modern Christian Pentecostal movement.   Hear a recording of speaking in tongues, or glossololia, from the lab of Dr. Andrew Newberg.  He's leading a fascinating new field called neurotheology, which studies the biological basis of spirituality.      The Science of Spirituality National Public Radio's religion correspondent ponders the limits of science, and raises some big questions: Does spirituality run in families? Is there a God gene?  And how do we explain near-death experiences? She explains how new technologies are helping scientists study the brain during intense religious experiences, from drug-induced ecstasies to meditation. Barbara Bradley Hagerty, author of Fingerprints of God: The Search for the Science of Spirituality The Psychology of the Soul Begins at 23 min 17 sec Thinkers like Carl Jung and William James paved the way for Psychology of Religion and Spirituality, which debuted earlier this year. Published by the American Psychological Association, it’s the first academic journal of peer-reviewed research on how faith affects human behavior. Dr. Ralph Piedmont, editor of Psychology of Religion and Spirituality Commentary: Shareholder Activism Begins at 31 min 38 sec For decades, religious groups have been watching their stocks to make sure the companies they’re invested in are socially responsible.  And they're not afraid to speak up, pushing resolutions on worker justice, pollution, executive compensation and much more.    Mary Ann McGivern, member of the Loretto Community of women religious Sacred Jazz Begins at 36 min 49 sec Jazz great Mary Lou Williams (pictured) believed that jazz and prayer were "twin mates of spiritual expression."  She developed a style known as “sacred jazz,” which went on to inspire Duke Ellington and John Coltrane.  Catholic jazz artist Deanna Witkowski introduces us to this little-known genre, and shares her new album, which sets Christians prayers, hymns and psalms to music for a jazz quartet.   Deanna Witkowski, jazz pianist/composer/vocalist.  Her new album is From This Place  Twenty-Four Hour Chant Begins at 49 min 4 sec This Earth Day, about 60 Buddhists gathered at a Unitarian church in Colorado Springs to chant for 24 hours. They chanted in shifts, from one to four hours at a time, in the language of the early Buddhist scriptures. Producer Bob Thomason was there, and sent us this audio postcard. Produced by Bob Thomason, producer and reporter for KRCC This Week's Interfaith Calendar May 31 - Pentecost (Christian) On Pentecost, Christians remember the day when the Holy Spirit descended upon the followers of Jesus.   As the story goes in the New Testament,  the disciples had all gathered in Jerusalem, when a violent, blowing wind came down from the heavens, filling the place with sound. The Holy Spirit came to rest on them, in the form of “tongues of fire”, and everyone began to understand each other's native language, even though they had come from many different nations.  This is the first mention in the Bible of what we now call "speaking in tongues," and the basis of the modern Christian Pentecostal movement.   Hear a recording of speaking in tongues, or glossololia, from the lab of Dr. Andrew Newberg.  He's leading a fascinating new field called neurotheology, which studies the biological basis of spirituality.      tag:odeo.com,2009-05-28,24675120 Thu, 28 May 2009 06:58:37 -0700 no Interfaith Voices Podcast (hour-long version) Religion & Spirituality, 2009 http://odeo.com/episodes/24623935-Searching-For-The-Fingerprints-of-God The Science of Spirituality National Public Radio's religion correspondent ponders the limits of science, and raises some big questions: Does spirituality run in families? Is there a God gene?  And how do we explain near-death experiences? She explains how new technologies are helping scientists study the brain during intense religious experiences, from drug-induced ecstasies to meditation. Barbara Bradley Hagerty, author of Fingerprints of God: The Search for the Science of Spirituality The Psychology of the Soul Begins at 23 min 17 sec Thinkers like Carl Jung and William James paved the way for Psychology of Religion and Spirituality, which debuted earlier this year. Published by the American Psychological Association, it’s the first academic journal of peer-reviewed research on how faith affects human behavior. Dr. Ralph Piedmont, editor of Psychology of Religion and Spirituality Commentary: Shareholder Activism Begins at 31 min 38 sec For decades, religious groups hav... The Science of Spirituality National Public Radio's religion correspondent ponders the limits of science, and raises some big questions: Does spirituality run in families? Is there a God gene?  And how do we explain near-death experiences? She explains how new technologies are helping scientists study the brain during intense religious experiences, from drug-induced ecstasies to meditation. Barbara Bradley Hagerty, author of Fingerprints of God: The Search for the Science of Spirituality The Psychology of the Soul Begins at 23 min 17 sec Thinkers like Carl Jung and William James paved the way for Psychology of Religion and Spirituality, which debuted earlier this year. Published by the American Psychological Association, it’s the first academic journal of peer-reviewed research on how faith affects human behavior. Dr. Ralph Piedmont, editor of Psychology of Religion and Spirituality Commentary: Shareholder Activism Begins at 31 min 38 sec For decades, religious groups have been watching their stocks to make sure the companies they’re invested in are socially responsible.  And they're not afraid to speak up, pushing resolutions on worker justice, pollution, executive compensation and much more.    Mary Ann McGivern, member of the Loretto Community of women religious Sacred Jazz Begins at 36 min 49 sec Jazz great Mary Lou Williams (pictured) believed that jazz and prayer were "twin mates of spiritual expression."  She developed a style known as “sacred jazz,” which went on to inspire Duke Ellington and John Coltrane.  Catholic jazz artist Deanna Witkowsi introduces us to this little-known genre, and shares her new album, which sets Christians prayers, hymns and psalms to music for a jazz quartet.   Deanna Witkowski, jazz pianist/composer/vocalist.  Her new album is From This Place  Twenty-Four Hour Chant Begins at 49 min 4 sec This Earth Day, about 60 Buddhists gathered at a Unitarian church in Colorado Springs to chant for 24 hours. They chanted in shifts, from one to four hours at a time, in the language of the early Buddhist scriptures. Producer Bob Thomason was there, and sent us this audio postcard. Produced by Bob Thomason, producer and reporter for KRCC This Week's Interfaith Calendar May 31 - Pentecost (Christian) On Pentecost, Christians remember the day when the Holy Spirit descended upon the followers of Jesus.   As the story goes in the New Testament,  the disciples had all gathered in Jerusalem, when out of nowhere, a violent, blowing wind came down from the heavens, filling the place with sound. The holy spirit came to rest on them, in the form of “tongues of fire”, and everyone began to understand each other's native language, even though they had come from many different nations.  This is the first mention in the Bible of what we now call speaking in tongues, and the basis of the modern Christian Pentecostal movement.   Hear a recording of speaking in tongues, or glossololia, from the lab of Dr. Andrew Newberg.  He's leading a fascinating new field called neurotheology, which studies the biological basis of spirituality.      The Science of Spirituality National Public Radio's religion correspondent ponders the limits of science, and raises some big questions: Does spirituality run in families? Is there a God gene?  And how do we explain near-death experiences? She explains how new technologies are helping scientists study the brain during intense religious experiences, from drug-induced ecstasies to meditation. Barbara Bradley Hagerty, author of Fingerprints of God: The Search for the Science of Spirituality The Psychology of the Soul Begins at 23 min 17 sec Thinkers like Carl Jung and William James paved the way for Psychology of Religion and Spirituality, which debuted earlier this year. Published by the American Psychological Association, it’s the first academic journal of peer-reviewed research on how faith affects human behavior. Dr. Ralph Piedmont, editor of Psychology of Religion and Spirituality Commentary: Shareholder Activism Begins at 31 min 38 sec For decades, religious groups have been watching their stocks to make sure the companies they’re invested in are socially responsible.  And they're not afraid to speak up, pushing resolutions on worker justice, pollution, executive compensation and much more.    Mary Ann McGivern, member of the Loretto Community of women religious Sacred Jazz Begins at 36 min 49 sec Jazz great Mary Lou Williams (pictured) believed that jazz and prayer were "twin mates of spiritual expression."  She developed a style known as “sacred jazz,” which went on to inspire Duke Ellington and John Coltrane.  Catholic jazz artist Deanna Witkowsi introduces us to this little-known genre, and shares her new album, which sets Christians prayers, hymns and psalms to music for a jazz quartet.   Deanna Witkowski, jazz pianist/composer/vocalist.  Her new album is From This Place  Twenty-Four Hour Chant Begins at 49 min 4 sec This Earth Day, about 60 Buddhists gathered at a Unitarian church in Colorado Springs to chant for 24 hours. They chanted in shifts, from one to four hours at a time, in the language of the early Buddhist scriptures. Producer Bob Thomason was there, and sent us this audio postcard. Produced by Bob Thomason, producer and reporter for KRCC This Week's Interfaith Calendar May 31 - Pentecost (Christian) On Pentecost, Christians remember the day when the Holy Spirit descended upon the followers of Jesus.   As the story goes in the New Testament,  the disciples had all gathered in Jerusalem, when out of nowhere, a violent, blowing wind came down from the heavens, filling the place with sound. The holy spirit came to rest on them, in the form of “tongues of fire”, and everyone began to understand each other's native language, even though they had come from many different nations.  This is the first mention in the Bible of what we now call speaking in tongues, and the basis of the modern Christian Pentecostal movement.   Hear a recording of speaking in tongues, or glossololia, from the lab of Dr. Andrew Newberg.  He's leading a fascinating new field called neurotheology, which studies the biological basis of spirituality.      tag:odeo.com,2009-05-28,24623935 Thu, 28 May 2009 06:58:37 -0700 no Interfaith Voices Podcast (hour-long version) Religion & Spirituality, 2009 http://odeo.com/episodes/24675121-The-Haggards-Sticking-Together-For-Better-And-For-Worse The Reinvention of Ted Haggard Ted Haggard had it all: a devoted wife, five children and a thriving church with more than 10,000 members. As the president of the National Association of Evangelicals, he was the voice for 30 million Christians. It all came crashing down in 2006, when a male prostitute accused Haggard of paying him for sex and crystal meth. Now, after months of silence, Gayle and Ted Haggard open up about how they kept their marriage and faith intact. Ted Haggard, founder of New Life Church; Gayle Haggard, former New Life minister Featured in the new HBO documentary, The Trials of Ted Haggard   Neopagans Against Torture Begins at 23 min 30 sec For modern witches, the phrase “enhanced interrogation techniques” has a special sting. It stirs up images of the Inquisition, when people accused of witchcraft were strangled, drowned or burned alive.  Our regular Wiccan commentator explains why in their tradition, torture isn’t just morally wrong, i... The Reinvention of Ted Haggard Ted Haggard had it all: a devoted wife, five children and a thriving church with more than 10,000 members. As the president of the National Association of Evangelicals, he was the voice for 30 million Christians. It all came crashing down in 2006, when a male prostitute accused Haggard of paying him for sex and crystal meth. Now, after months of silence, Gayle and Ted Haggard open up about how they kept their marriage and faith intact. Ted Haggard, founder of New Life Church; Gayle Haggard, former New Life minister Featured in the new HBO documentary, The Trials of Ted Haggard   Neopagans Against Torture Begins at 23 min 30 sec For modern witches, the phrase “enhanced interrogation techniques” has a special sting. It stirs up images of the Inquisition, when people accused of witchcraft were strangled, drowned or burned alive.  Our regular Wiccan commentator explains why in their tradition, torture isn’t just morally wrong, it’s a “desecration of the human spirit.” Starhawk, cofounder of Reclaiming.org The New Leaders of Islam Begins at 34 min Since 2006, Muslim women in Morocco have taken on a new and groundbreaking role. They’re being trained as mourchidates, or female religious counselors, a highly selective title for which only 50 out of 11,000 applicants make the cut. After graduating, they work alongside imams, their male counterparts, in hospitals, schools and mosques. Three mourchidates are on an interfaith tour in the U.S., and we caught up with them in our DC studio.   Fatima Zahra Salhi, Ilham Chafik and Nezha Nassi (pictured) Gospel Rap: Dropping Sermons Over Tracks Begins at 44 min Christian hip-hop got its start in the early 1980s, finding its voice in after school programs and youth ministries. Today it’s a growing slice of the Christian music industry, though it’s still struggling for recognition in a sea of gospel, country and pop sounds.  Laura Kwerel finds out why artists like Gospel Gangtaz and T-Bone (pictured) are so appealing to young converts. James "Trig" Rosseau, co-owner of Holy Culture Network StoryCorps: Ky-Antre Compton and Stuart Chittenden on Friendship Begins at 50 min 39 sec In our final selection from StoryCorps, 11-year-old Ky-Antre Compton reflects back on his friendship with Stuart Chittenden, his mentor through the Big Brothers, Big Sisters program. Produced by StoryCorps This Week's Interfaith Calendar May 23 - Ascension of Baha'u'llah (Baha'i) On this day, Baha'is remember the death of their prophet and founder, Bahá'u'lláh.  He taught religious tolerance and peace, stressing the common bonds among world religions. His claim to be the messenger of God got him locked up in prison by the Ottoman empire for life in 1879.  See the shrine where Bahá'u'lláh is buried, located in Acre, Israel. May 29 - Shavuot (Jewish) At sundown on May 28th, Jews will celebrate the first night of Shavuot. It's the day that God gave Moses the Torah and the ten commandments. Web Extra!  Shavuot is Illuminated: Jonathan Safran Foer on the modern meaning of the Jewish holiday The Reinvention of Ted Haggard Ted Haggard had it all: a devoted wife, five children and a thriving church with more than 10,000 members. As the president of the National Association of Evangelicals, he was the voice for 30 million Christians. It all came crashing down in 2006, when a male prostitute accused Haggard of paying him for sex and crystal meth. Now, after months of silence, Gayle and Ted Haggard open up about how they kept their marriage and faith intact. Ted Haggard, founder of New Life Church; Gayle Haggard, former New Life minister Featured in the new HBO documentary, The Trials of Ted Haggard   Neopagans Against Torture Begins at 23 min 30 sec For modern witches, the phrase “enhanced interrogation techniques” has a special sting. It stirs up images of the Inquisition, when people accused of witchcraft were strangled, drowned or burned alive.  Our regular Wiccan commentator explains why in their tradition, torture isn’t just morally wrong, it’s a “desecration of the human spirit.” Starhawk, cofounder of Reclaiming.org The New Leaders of Islam Begins at 34 min Since 2006, Muslim women in Morocco have taken on a new and groundbreaking role. They’re being trained as mourchidates, or female religious counselors, a highly selective title for which only 50 out of 11,000 applicants make the cut. After graduating, they work alongside imams, their male counterparts, in hospitals, schools and mosques. Three mourchidates are on an interfaith tour in the U.S., and we caught up with them in our DC studio.   Fatima Zahra Salhi, Ilham Chafik and Nezha Nassi (pictured) Gospel Rap: Dropping Sermons Over Tracks Begins at 44 min Christian hip-hop got its start in the early 1980s, finding its voice in after school programs and youth ministries. Today it’s a growing slice of the Christian music industry, though it’s still struggling for recognition in a sea of gospel, country and pop sounds.  Laura Kwerel finds out why artists like Gospel Gangtaz and T-Bone (pictured) are so appealing to young converts. James "Trig" Rosseau, co-owner of Holy Culture Network StoryCorps: Ky-Antre Compton and Stuart Chittenden on Friendship Begins at 50 min 39 sec In our final selection from StoryCorps, 11-year-old Ky-Antre Compton reflects back on his friendship with Stuart Chittenden, his mentor through the Big Brothers, Big Sisters program. Produced by StoryCorps This Week's Interfaith Calendar May 23 - Ascension of Baha'u'llah (Baha'i) On this day, Baha'is remember the death of their prophet and founder, Bahá'u'lláh.  He taught religious tolerance and peace, stressing the common bonds among world religions. His claim to be the messenger of God got him locked up in prison by the Ottoman empire for life in 1879.  See the shrine where Bahá'u'lláh is buried, located in Acre, Israel. May 29 - Shavuot (Jewish) At sundown on May 28th, Jews will celebrate the first night of Shavuot. It's the day that God gave Moses the Torah and the ten commandments. Web Extra!  Shavuot is Illuminated: Jonathan Safran Foer on the modern meaning of the Jewish holiday tag:odeo.com,2009-05-21,24675121 Thu, 21 May 2009 14:01:44 -0700 no Interfaith Voices Podcast (hour-long version) Religion & Spirituality, 2009 http://odeo.com/episodes/24597093-The-Haggards-Sticking-Together-For-Better-And-For-Worse The Reinvention of Ted Haggard Ted Haggard had it all: a devoted wife, five children and a thriving church with more than 10,000 members. As the president of the National Association of Evangelicals, he was the voice for 30 million Christians. It all came crashing down in 2006, when a male prostitute accused Haggard of paying him for sex and crystal meth. Now, after months of silence, Gayle and Ted Haggard open up about how they kept their marriage and faith intact. Ted Haggard, founder of New Life Church; Gayle Haggard, former New Life minister Featured in the new HBO documentary, The Trials of Ted Haggard   Neopagans Against Torture Begins at 23 min 30 sec For modern witches, the phrase “enhanced interrogation techniques” has a special sting. It stirs up images of the Inquisition, when people accused of witchcraft were strangled, drowned or burned alive.  Our regular Wiccan commentator explains why in their tradition, torture isn’t just morally wrong, i... The Reinvention of Ted Haggard Ted Haggard had it all: a devoted wife, five children and a thriving church with more than 10,000 members. As the president of the National Association of Evangelicals, he was the voice for 30 million Christians. It all came crashing down in 2006, when a male prostitute accused Haggard of paying him for sex and crystal meth. Now, after months of silence, Gayle and Ted Haggard open up about how they kept their marriage and faith intact. Ted Haggard, founder of New Life Church; Gayle Haggard, former New Life minister Featured in the new HBO documentary, The Trials of Ted Haggard   Neopagans Against Torture Begins at 23 min 30 sec For modern witches, the phrase “enhanced interrogation techniques” has a special sting. It stirs up images of the Inquisition, when people accused of witchcraft were strangled, drowned or burned alive.  Our regular Wiccan commentator explains why in their tradition, torture isn’t just morally wrong, it’s a “desecration of the human spirit.” Starhawk, cofounder of Reclaiming.org The New Leaders of Islam Begins at 34 min Since 2006, Muslim women in Morocco have taken on a new and groundbreaking role. They’re being trained as mourchidates, or female religious counselors, a highly selective title for which only 50 out of 11,000 applicants make the cut. After graduating, they work alongside imams, their male counterparts, in hospitals, schools and mosques. Three mourchidates are on an interfaith tour in the U.S., and we caught up with them in our DC studio.   Fatima Zahra Salhi, Ilham Chafik and Nezha Nassi (pictured) Gospel Rap: Dropping Sermons Over Tracks Begins at 44 min Christian hip-hop got its start in the early 1980s, finding its voice in after school programs and youth ministries. Today it’s a growing slice of the Christian music industry, though it’s still struggling for recognition in a sea of gospel, country and pop sounds.  Laura Kwerel finds out why artists like Gospel Gangtaz and T-Bone (pictured) are so appealing to young converts. James "Trig" Rosseau, co-owner of Holy Culture Network StoryCorps: Ky-Antre Compton and Stuart Chittenden on Friendship Begins at 50 min 39 sec In our final selection from StoryCorps, 11-year-old Ky-Antre Compton reflects back on his friendship with Stuart Chittenden, his mentor through the Big Brothers, Big Sisters program. Produced by StoryCorps This Week's Interfaith Calendar May 23 - Ascension of Baha'u'llah (Baha'i) On this day, Baha'is remember the death of their prophet and founder, Bahá'u'lláh.  He taught religious tolerance and peace, stressing the common bonds among world religions. His claim to be the messenger of God got him locked up in prison by the Ottoman empire for life in 1879.  See the shrine where Bahá'u'lláh is buried, located in Acre, Israel. May 29 - Shavuot (Jewish) At sundown on May 28th, Jews will celebrate the first night of Shavuot. It's the day that God gave Moses the Torah and the ten commandments. Web Extra!  Shavuot is Illuminated: Jonathan Safran Foer on the modern meaning of the Jewish holiday The Reinvention of Ted Haggard Ted Haggard had it all: a devoted wife, five children and a thriving church with more than 10,000 members. As the president of the National Association of Evangelicals, he was the voice for 30 million Christians. It all came crashing down in 2006, when a male prostitute accused Haggard of paying him for sex and crystal meth. Now, after months of silence, Gayle and Ted Haggard open up about how they kept their marriage and faith intact. Ted Haggard, founder of New Life Church; Gayle Haggard, former New Life minister Featured in the new HBO documentary, The Trials of Ted Haggard   Neopagans Against Torture Begins at 23 min 30 sec For modern witches, the phrase “enhanced interrogation techniques” has a special sting. It stirs up images of the Inquisition, when people accused of witchcraft were strangled, drowned or burned alive.  Our regular Wiccan commentator explains why in their tradition, torture isn’t just morally wrong, it’s a “desecration of the human spirit.” Starhawk, cofounder of Reclaiming.org The New Leaders of Islam Begins at 34 min Since 2006, Muslim women in Morocco have taken on a new and groundbreaking role. They’re being trained as mourchidates, or female religious counselors, a highly selective title for which only 50 out of 11,000 applicants make the cut. After graduating, they work alongside imams, their male counterparts, in hospitals, schools and mosques. Three mourchidates are on an interfaith tour in the U.S., and we caught up with them in our DC studio.   Fatima Zahra Salhi, Ilham Chafik and Nezha Nassi (pictured) Gospel Rap: Dropping Sermons Over Tracks Begins at 44 min Christian hip-hop got its start in the early 1980s, finding its voice in after school programs and youth ministries. Today it’s a growing slice of the Christian music industry, though it’s still struggling for recognition in a sea of gospel, country and pop sounds.  Laura Kwerel finds out why artists like Gospel Gangtaz and T-Bone (pictured) are so appealing to young converts. James "Trig" Rosseau, co-owner of Holy Culture Network StoryCorps: Ky-Antre Compton and Stuart Chittenden on Friendship Begins at 50 min 39 sec In our final selection from StoryCorps, 11-year-old Ky-Antre Compton reflects back on his friendship with Stuart Chittenden, his mentor through the Big Brothers, Big Sisters program. Produced by StoryCorps This Week's Interfaith Calendar May 23 - Ascension of Baha'u'llah (Baha'i) On this day, Baha'is remember the death of their prophet and founder, Bahá'u'lláh.  He taught religious tolerance and peace, stressing the common bonds among world religions. His claim to be the messenger of God got him locked up in prison by the Ottoman empire for life in 1879.  See the shrine where Bahá'u'lláh is buried, located in Acre, Israel. May 29 - Shavuot (Jewish) At sundown on May 28th, Jews will celebrate the first night of Shavuot. It's the day that God gave Moses the Torah and the ten commandments. Web Extra!  Shavuot is Illuminated: Jonathan Safran Foer on the modern meaning of the Jewish holiday tag:odeo.com,2009-05-21,24597093 Thu, 21 May 2009 14:01:44 -0700 no Interfaith Voices Podcast (hour-long version) Religion & Spirituality, 2009 http://odeo.com/episodes/24675124-Christianity-at-the-Grassroots ‘Small C’ Christianity Christian history is often told from the point of view of the winners, as a tale of victory, military force and conquest.   Historian Diana Butler Bass calls it “Big C Christianity,” and she says there's another side to the story.  This week, she surveys Christian history from the bottom up, told through the eyes of maverick monks, gutsy women and peace-loving church-goers. Diana Butler Bass, author of A People’s History of Christianity Web extra: Diana Butler Bass, the full interview Read an excerpt from the book Vinessa Shaw, Awakening the Buddha On Screen Begins at 23 min 48 sec Actress Vinessa Shaw has flirted with Russell Crowe in 3:10 to Yuma, kicked around a soccer ball with Rodney Dangerfield in Lady Bugs, and shared a kiss with Joaquin Phoenix in Two Lovers. She says Buddhism’s emphasis on compassion is almost a form of method acting—it helps her inhabit and relate to all kinds of characters. Sh... ‘Small C’ Christianity Christian history is often told from the point of view of the winners, as a tale of victory, military force and conquest.   Historian Diana Butler Bass calls it “Big C Christianity,” and she says there's another side to the story.  This week, she surveys Christian history from the bottom up, told through the eyes of maverick monks, gutsy women and peace-loving church-goers. Diana Butler Bass, author of A People’s History of Christianity Web extra: Diana Butler Bass, the full interview Read an excerpt from the book Vinessa Shaw, Awakening the Buddha On Screen Begins at 23 min 48 sec Actress Vinessa Shaw has flirted with Russell Crowe in 3:10 to Yuma, kicked around a soccer ball with Rodney Dangerfield in Lady Bugs, and shared a kiss with Joaquin Phoenix in Two Lovers. She says Buddhism’s emphasis on compassion is almost a form of method acting—it helps her inhabit and relate to all kinds of characters. She joins us this week to reflect on how Nichiren Buddhism has kept her sane in the world of Hollywood. Vinessa Shaw, star of Two Lovers Dharma Music Begins at 38 min 34 sec Ravenna Michalson is an eclectic singer-songwriter and a practitioner of Shambhala Buddhism. Her third and latest album is called Bloom, and it’s a collection of 10 original songs inspired by Buddhist thought.  Laura Kwerel caught up with Ravenna, and her cello, in our DC studio. Ravenna Michalsen, cellist and singer-songwriter Hear the full, in-studio performances of "Just a Seed Waiting To Grow" and "Guru Rinpoche" The Best Hug In the World Begins at 47 min 28 sec People line up for hours to get a hug from Amma, an Indian humanitarian who spreads peace and compassion through hugs. Her followers say that over the past 30 years she’s hugged 27 million people from all over the world.  To them she is a living saint, a mother, and an embodiment of selfless love. Last summer, Laura Kwerel visited one of Amma’s retreats in Northern Virginia, where hundreds of people had gathered for a free hug at a Hilton hotel. She asked them to put the experience into words. Produced by Laura Kwerel StoryCorps: Bob Harllee on War Begins at 51 min 4 sec Bob Harllee was an army chaplain during the Vietnam War.  He tells his daughter, Carol, what it was like to minister to soldiers during their last moments on earth. Produced by StoryCorps This Week's Interfaith Calendar May 23 - The Declaration of the Bab (Baha'i) This holiday marks the very birth of the Baha'i religion, the night of May 22, 1844, when a young merchant in Iran quietly announced that he would predict the coming of the messenger of God.  This young soothsayer came to be known as "the Gateway," which translates in Arabic as the Bab.  Nineteen years later, one of the Bab's followers, later known as Baha'u'llah announced that he was the messenger that everyone had been waiting for.   May 21 - Ascension of Jesus (Christian) Celebrated 40 days after Easter, the Ascension marks the day when Christians believe Jesus physically rose into heaven.  If you want more details about what it looked like, you're out of luck-- the Bible gives no description of the Ascension itself.  The New Testament simply states that it happened.  Still, the miraculous event has captured the imagination of many artists. See a colorful depiction of Jesus' ascension in the Rabbula Gospels, an illustrated gospel book from the 6th century,   ‘Small C’ Christianity Christian history is often told from the point of view of the winners, as a tale of victory, military force and conquest.   Historian Diana Butler Bass calls it “Big C Christianity,” and she says there's another side to the story.  This week, she surveys Christian history from the bottom up, told through the eyes of maverick monks, gutsy women and peace-loving church-goers. Diana Butler Bass, author of A People’s History of Christianity Web extra: Diana Butler Bass, the full interview Read an excerpt from the book Vinessa Shaw, Awakening the Buddha On Screen Begins at 23 min 48 sec Actress Vinessa Shaw has flirted with Russell Crowe in 3:10 to Yuma, kicked around a soccer ball with Rodney Dangerfield in Lady Bugs, and shared a kiss with Joaquin Phoenix in Two Lovers. She says Buddhism’s emphasis on compassion is almost a form of method acting—it helps her inhabit and relate to all kinds of characters. She joins us this week to reflect on how Nichiren Buddhism has kept her sane in the world of Hollywood. Vinessa Shaw, star of Two Lovers Dharma Music Begins at 38 min 34 sec Ravenna Michalson is an eclectic singer-songwriter and a practitioner of Shambhala Buddhism. Her third and latest album is called Bloom, and it’s a collection of 10 original songs inspired by Buddhist thought.  Laura Kwerel caught up with Ravenna, and her cello, in our DC studio. Ravenna Michalsen, cellist and singer-songwriter Hear the full, in-studio performances of "Just a Seed Waiting To Grow" and "Guru Rinpoche" The Best Hug In the World Begins at 47 min 28 sec People line up for hours to get a hug from Amma, an Indian humanitarian who spreads peace and compassion through hugs. Her followers say that over the past 30 years she’s hugged 27 million people from all over the world.  To them she is a living saint, a mother, and an embodiment of selfless love. Last summer, Laura Kwerel visited one of Amma’s retreats in Northern Virginia, where hundreds of people had gathered for a free hug at a Hilton hotel. She asked them to put the experience into words. Produced by Laura Kwerel StoryCorps: Bob Harllee on War Begins at 51 min 4 sec Bob Harllee was an army chaplain during the Vietnam War.  He tells his daughter, Carol, what it was like to minister to soldiers during their last moments on earth. Produced by StoryCorps This Week's Interfaith Calendar May 23 - The Declaration of the Bab (Baha'i) This holiday marks the very birth of the Baha'i religion, the night of May 22, 1844, when a young merchant in Iran quietly announced that he would predict the coming of the messenger of God.  This young soothsayer came to be known as "the Gateway," which translates in Arabic as the Bab.  Nineteen years later, one of the Bab's followers, later known as Baha'u'llah announced that he was the messenger that everyone had been waiting for.   May 21 - Ascension of Jesus (Christian) Celebrated 40 days after Easter, the Ascension marks the day when Christians believe Jesus physically rose into heaven.  If you want more details about what it looked like, you're out of luck-- the Bible gives no description of the Ascension itself.  The New Testament simply states that it happened.  Still, the miraculous event has captured the imagination of many artists. See a colorful depiction of Jesus' ascension in the Rabbula Gospels, an illustrated gospel book from the 6th century,   tag:odeo.com,2009-05-14,24675124 Thu, 14 May 2009 11:25:25 -0700 no Interfaith Voices Podcast (hour-long version) Religion & Spirituality, 2009 http://odeo.com/episodes/24550808-Christianity-at-the-Grassroots ‘Small C’ Christianity Christian history is often told from the point of view of the winners, as a tale of victory, military force and conquest.   Historian Diana Butler Bass calls it “Big C Christianity,” and she says there's another side to the story.  This week, she surveys Christian history from the bottom up, told through the eyes of maverick monks, gutsy women and peace-loving church-goers. Diana Butler Bass, author of A People’s History of Christianity Web extra: Diana Butler Bass, the full interview Read an excerpt from the book Vinessa Shaw, Awakening the Buddha On Screen Begins at 23 min 48 sec Actress Vinessa Shaw has flirted with Russell Crowe in 3:10 to Yuma, kicked around a soccer ball with Rodney Dangerfield in Lady Bugs, and shared a kiss with Joaquin Phoenix in Two Lovers. She says Buddhism’s emphasis on compassion is almost a form of method acting—it helps her inhabit and relate to all kinds of characters. Sh... ‘Small C’ Christianity Christian history is often told from the point of view of the winners, as a tale of victory, military force and conquest.   Historian Diana Butler Bass calls it “Big C Christianity,” and she says there's another side to the story.  This week, she surveys Christian history from the bottom up, told through the eyes of maverick monks, gutsy women and peace-loving church-goers. Diana Butler Bass, author of A People’s History of Christianity Web extra: Diana Butler Bass, the full interview Read an excerpt from the book Vinessa Shaw, Awakening the Buddha On Screen Begins at 23 min 48 sec Actress Vinessa Shaw has flirted with Russell Crowe in 3:10 to Yuma, kicked around a soccer ball with Rodney Dangerfield in Lady Bugs, and shared a kiss with Joaquin Phoenix in Two Lovers. She says Buddhism’s emphasis on compassion is almost a form of method acting—it helps her inhabit and relate to all kinds of characters. She joins us this week to reflect on how Nichiren Buddhism has kept her sane in the world of Hollywood. Vinessa Shaw, star of Two Lovers Dharma Music Begins at 38 min 34 sec Ravenna Michalson is an eclectic singer-songwriter and a practitioner of Shambhala Buddhism. Her third and latest album is called Bloom, and it’s a collection of 10 original songs inspired by Buddhist thought.  Laura Kwerel caught up with Ravenna, and her cello, in our DC studio. Ravenna Michalsen, cellist and singer-songwriter Hear the full, in-studio performances of "Just a Seed Waiting To Grow" and "Guru Rinpoche" The Best Hug In the World Begins at 47 min 28 sec People line up for hours to get a hug from Amma, an Indian humanitarian who spreads peace and compassion through hugs. Her followers say that over the past 30 years she’s hugged 27 million people from all over the world.  To them she is a living saint, a mother, and an embodiment of selfless love. Last summer, Laura Kwerel visited one of Amma’s retreats in Northern Virginia, where hundreds of people had gathered for a free hug at a Hilton hotel. She asked them to put the experience into words. Produced by Laura Kwerel StoryCorps: Bob Harllee on War Begins at 51 min 4 sec Bob Harllee was an army chaplain during the Vietnam War.  He tells his daughter, Carol, what it was like to minister to soldiers during their last moments on earth. Produced by StoryCorps This Week's Interfaith Calendar May 23 - The Declaration of the Bab (Baha'i) This holiday marks the very birth of the Baha'i religion, the night of May 22, 1844, when a young merchant in Iran quietly announced that he would predict the coming of the messenger of God.  This young soothsayer came to be known as "the Gateway," which translates in Arabic as the Bab.  Nineteen years later, one of the Bab's followers, later known as Baha'u'llah announced that he was the messenger that everyone had been waiting for.   May 21 - Ascension of Jesus (Christian) Celebrated 40 days after Easter, the Ascension marks the day when Christians believe Jesus physically rose into heaven.  If you want more details about what it looked like, you're out of luck-- the Bible gives no description of the Ascension itself.  The New Testament simply states that it happened.  Still, the miraculous event has captured the imagination of many artists. See a colorful depiction of Jesus' ascension in the Rabbula Gospels, an illustrated gospel book from the 6th century,   ‘Small C’ Christianity Christian history is often told from the point of view of the winners, as a tale of victory, military force and conquest.   Historian Diana Butler Bass calls it “Big C Christianity,” and she says there's another side to the story.  This week, she surveys Christian history from the bottom up, told through the eyes of maverick monks, gutsy women and peace-loving church-goers. Diana Butler Bass, author of A People’s History of Christianity Web extra: Diana Butler Bass, the full interview Read an excerpt from the book Vinessa Shaw, Awakening the Buddha On Screen Begins at 23 min 48 sec Actress Vinessa Shaw has flirted with Russell Crowe in 3:10 to Yuma, kicked around a soccer ball with Rodney Dangerfield in Lady Bugs, and shared a kiss with Joaquin Phoenix in Two Lovers. She says Buddhism’s emphasis on compassion is almost a form of method acting—it helps her inhabit and relate to all kinds of characters. She joins us this week to reflect on how Nichiren Buddhism has kept her sane in the world of Hollywood. Vinessa Shaw, star of Two Lovers Dharma Music Begins at 38 min 34 sec Ravenna Michalson is an eclectic singer-songwriter and a practitioner of Shambhala Buddhism. Her third and latest album is called Bloom, and it’s a collection of 10 original songs inspired by Buddhist thought.  Laura Kwerel caught up with Ravenna, and her cello, in our DC studio. Ravenna Michalsen, cellist and singer-songwriter Hear the full, in-studio performances of "Just a Seed Waiting To Grow" and "Guru Rinpoche" The Best Hug In the World Begins at 47 min 28 sec People line up for hours to get a hug from Amma, an Indian humanitarian who spreads peace and compassion through hugs. Her followers say that over the past 30 years she’s hugged 27 million people from all over the world.  To them she is a living saint, a mother, and an embodiment of selfless love. Last summer, Laura Kwerel visited one of Amma’s retreats in Northern Virginia, where hundreds of people had gathered for a free hug at a Hilton hotel. She asked them to put the experience into words. Produced by Laura Kwerel StoryCorps: Bob Harllee on War Begins at 51 min 4 sec Bob Harllee was an army chaplain during the Vietnam War.  He tells his daughter, Carol, what it was like to minister to soldiers during their last moments on earth. Produced by StoryCorps This Week's Interfaith Calendar May 23 - The Declaration of the Bab (Baha'i) This holiday marks the very birth of the Baha'i religion, the night of May 22, 1844, when a young merchant in Iran quietly announced that he would predict the coming of the messenger of God.  This young soothsayer came to be known as "the Gateway," which translates in Arabic as the Bab.  Nineteen years later, one of the Bab's followers, later known as Baha'u'llah announced that he was the messenger that everyone had been waiting for.   May 21 - Ascension of Jesus (Christian) Celebrated 40 days after Easter, the Ascension marks the day when Christians believe Jesus physically rose into heaven.  If you want more details about what it looked like, you're out of luck-- the Bible gives no description of the Ascension itself.  The New Testament simply states that it happened.  Still, the miraculous event has captured the imagination of many artists. See a colorful depiction of Jesus' ascension in the Rabbula Gospels, an illustrated gospel book from the 6th century,   tag:odeo.com,2009-05-14,24550808 Thu, 14 May 2009 11:25:25 -0700 no Interfaith Voices Podcast (hour-long version) Religion & Spirituality, 2009 http://odeo.com/episodes/24675125-How-To-Win-a-Cosmic-War No Compromise, No Negotiation, No Surrender This week, the anatomy of a  “cosmic war.” Scholar Reza Aslan tells us that terrorist groups like Al-Qaeda are fighting a new kind of battle—it’s about identity, not land; ideas, not armies. And he says the war can’t be won. Reza Aslan, author of How to Win a Cosmic War: God, Globalization, and the End of the War on Terror Obama and the Fightin' Irish Begins at 22 min 30 sec On May 17th, President Obama will deliver the commencement address at Notre Dame University. Obama supports abortion rights; the Roman Catholic hierarchy does not. Their disagreement has turned the country’s best-known Catholic university into a hotbed of controversy, as a small group of conservative Catholics clamor to have the President dis-invited from the graduation ceremony. Kevin Eckstrom tells us why this is the latest episode in a larger struggle for the souls of American Catholics. Kevin Eckstrom, editor of Religion New... No Compromise, No Negotiation, No Surrender This week, the anatomy of a  “cosmic war.” Scholar Reza Aslan tells us that terrorist groups like Al-Qaeda are fighting a new kind of battle—it’s about identity, not land; ideas, not armies. And he says the war can’t be won. Reza Aslan, author of How to Win a Cosmic War: God, Globalization, and the End of the War on Terror Obama and the Fightin' Irish Begins at 22 min 30 sec On May 17th, President Obama will deliver the commencement address at Notre Dame University. Obama supports abortion rights; the Roman Catholic hierarchy does not. Their disagreement has turned the country’s best-known Catholic university into a hotbed of controversy, as a small group of conservative Catholics clamor to have the President dis-invited from the graduation ceremony. Kevin Eckstrom tells us why this is the latest episode in a larger struggle for the souls of American Catholics. Kevin Eckstrom, editor of Religion News Service Bite-Sized Theology Begins at 30 min 50 sec Move over, Emeril - there's a new celebrity chef in town...and he's a break-dancing Catholic priest. Father Leo Patalinghug is on a mission to help families come together in the kitchen.  He joins us in the studio to explain why grace should always come before the meal. Fr. Leo Patalinghug, founder of Grace Before Meals The Sacred Art of Islamic Writing Begins at 41 min 16 sec Calligraphy is one of Islam’s most beloved artistic traditions. And Mohamed Zakariya (pictured), a convert to Islam, is one of the art form's most celebrated practitioners.  Katie Jones peeks into his studio to find out how the process of creating calligraphy can be as sacred as the final product.  His work is on display at the Walters Museum in Baltimore, Maryland through May 24. Produced by Katie Jones StoryCorps: Martha Conant On Survival Begins at 47 min 5 sec On the afternoon of July 19, 1989, United Airlines Flight 232 crash-landed just outside of Sioux City, Iowa. Of the 296 people on board, 111 died. Martha Conant (pictured, left) was one of only 13 survivors who walked away unscathed.  Looking back on that day, she says God told her,  "This is your only life... Just be grateful for that." Produced by Nadia Reiman for StoryCorps, and recorded in Greeley, Colo. This Week's Interfaith Calendar May 12 - Lag B'Omer (Jewish) This minor holiday marks a break in the Counting of the Omer, a 49-day period between Passover and Shavuot. It's the only day during these seven weeks when observant Jews are permitted to get married, get a haircut and even throw a party. No Compromise, No Negotiation, No Surrender This week, the anatomy of a  “cosmic war.” Scholar Reza Aslan tells us that terrorist groups like Al-Qaeda are fighting a new kind of battle—it’s about identity, not land; ideas, not armies. And he says the war can’t be won. Reza Aslan, author of How to Win a Cosmic War: God, Globalization, and the End of the War on Terror Obama and the Fightin' Irish Begins at 22 min 30 sec On May 17th, President Obama will deliver the commencement address at Notre Dame University. Obama supports abortion rights; the Roman Catholic hierarchy does not. Their disagreement has turned the country’s best-known Catholic university into a hotbed of controversy, as a small group of conservative Catholics clamor to have the President dis-invited from the graduation ceremony. Kevin Eckstrom tells us why this is the latest episode in a larger struggle for the souls of American Catholics. Kevin Eckstrom, editor of Religion News Service Bite-Sized Theology Begins at 30 min 50 sec Move over, Emeril - there's a new celebrity chef in town...and he's a break-dancing Catholic priest. Father Leo Patalinghug is on a mission to help families come together in the kitchen.  He joins us in the studio to explain why grace should always come before the meal. Fr. Leo Patalinghug, founder of Grace Before Meals The Sacred Art of Islamic Writing Begins at 41 min 16 sec Calligraphy is one of Islam’s most beloved artistic traditions. And Mohamed Zakariya (pictured), a convert to Islam, is one of the art form's most celebrated practitioners.  Katie Jones peeks into his studio to find out how the process of creating calligraphy can be as sacred as the final product.  His work is on display at the Walters Museum in Baltimore, Maryland through May 24. Produced by Katie Jones StoryCorps: Martha Conant On Survival Begins at 47 min 5 sec On the afternoon of July 19, 1989, United Airlines Flight 232 crash-landed just outside of Sioux City, Iowa. Of the 296 people on board, 111 died. Martha Conant (pictured, left) was one of only 13 survivors who walked away unscathed.  Looking back on that day, she says God told her,  "This is your only life... Just be grateful for that." Produced by Nadia Reiman for StoryCorps, and recorded in Greeley, Colo. This Week's Interfaith Calendar May 12 - Lag B'Omer (Jewish) This minor holiday marks a break in the Counting of the Omer, a 49-day period between Passover and Shavuot. It's the only day during these seven weeks when observant Jews are permitted to get married, get a haircut and even throw a party. tag:odeo.com,2009-05-06,24675125 Wed, 06 May 2009 07:20:45 -0700 no Interfaith Voices Podcast (hour-long version) Religion & Spirituality, 2009 http://odeo.com/episodes/24550809-How-To-Win-a-Cosmic-War No Compromise, No Negotiation, No Surrender This week, the anatomy of a  “cosmic war.” Scholar Reza Aslan tells us that terrorist groups like Al-Qaeda are fighting a new kind of battle—it’s about identity, not land; ideas, not armies. And he says the war can’t be won. Reza Aslan, author of How to Win a Cosmic War: God, Globalization, and the End of the War on Terror Obama and the Fightin' Irish Begins at 22 min 30 sec On May 17th, President Obama will deliver the commencement address at Notre Dame University. Obama supports abortion rights; the Roman Catholic hierarchy does not. Their disagreement has turned the country’s best-known Catholic university into a hotbed of controversy, as a small group of conservative Catholics clamor to have the President dis-invited from the graduation ceremony. Kevin Eckstrom tells us why this is the latest episode in a larger struggle for the souls of American Catholics. Kevin Eckstrom, editor of Religion New... No Compromise, No Negotiation, No Surrender This week, the anatomy of a  “cosmic war.” Scholar Reza Aslan tells us that terrorist groups like Al-Qaeda are fighting a new kind of battle—it’s about identity, not land; ideas, not armies. And he says the war can’t be won. Reza Aslan, author of How to Win a Cosmic War: God, Globalization, and the End of the War on Terror Obama and the Fightin' Irish Begins at 22 min 30 sec On May 17th, President Obama will deliver the commencement address at Notre Dame University. Obama supports abortion rights; the Roman Catholic hierarchy does not. Their disagreement has turned the country’s best-known Catholic university into a hotbed of controversy, as a small group of conservative Catholics clamor to have the President dis-invited from the graduation ceremony. Kevin Eckstrom tells us why this is the latest episode in a larger struggle for the souls of American Catholics. Kevin Eckstrom, editor of Religion News Service Bite-Sized Theology Begins at 30 min 50 sec Move over, Emeril - there's a new celebrity chef in town...and he's a break-dancing Catholic priest. Father Leo Patalinghug is on a mission to help families come together in the kitchen.  He joins us in the studio to explain why grace should always come before the meal. Fr. Leo Patalinghug, founder of Grace Before Meals The Sacred Art of Islamic Writing Begins at 41 min 16 sec Calligraphy is one of Islam’s most beloved artistic traditions. And Mohamed Zakariya (pictured), a convert to Islam, is one of the art form's most celebrated practitioners.  Katie Jones peeks into his studio to find out how the process of creating calligraphy can be as sacred as the final product.  His work is on display at the Walters Museum in Baltimore, Maryland through May 24. Produced by Katie Jones StoryCorps: Martha Conant On Survival Begins at 47 min 5 sec On the afternoon of July 19, 1989, United Airlines Flight 232 crash-landed just outside of Sioux City, Iowa. Of the 296 people on board, 111 died. Martha Conant (pictured, left) was one of only 13 survivors who walked away unscathed.  Looking back on that day, she says God told her,  "This is your only life... Just be grateful for that." Produced by Nadia Reiman for StoryCorps, and recorded in Greeley, Colo. This Week's Interfaith Calendar May 12 - Lag B'Omer (Jewish) This minor holiday marks a break in the Counting of the Omer, a 49-day period between Passover and Shavuot. It's the only day during these seven weeks when observant Jews are permitted to get married, get a haircut and even throw a party. No Compromise, No Negotiation, No Surrender This week, the anatomy of a  “cosmic war.” Scholar Reza Aslan tells us that terrorist groups like Al-Qaeda are fighting a new kind of battle—it’s about identity, not land; ideas, not armies. And he says the war can’t be won. Reza Aslan, author of How to Win a Cosmic War: God, Globalization, and the End of the War on Terror Obama and the Fightin' Irish Begins at 22 min 30 sec On May 17th, President Obama will deliver the commencement address at Notre Dame University. Obama supports abortion rights; the Roman Catholic hierarchy does not. Their disagreement has turned the country’s best-known Catholic university into a hotbed of controversy, as a small group of conservative Catholics clamor to have the President dis-invited from the graduation ceremony. Kevin Eckstrom tells us why this is the latest episode in a larger struggle for the souls of American Catholics. Kevin Eckstrom, editor of Religion News Service Bite-Sized Theology Begins at 30 min 50 sec Move over, Emeril - there's a new celebrity chef in town...and he's a break-dancing Catholic priest. Father Leo Patalinghug is on a mission to help families come together in the kitchen.  He joins us in the studio to explain why grace should always come before the meal. Fr. Leo Patalinghug, founder of Grace Before Meals The Sacred Art of Islamic Writing Begins at 41 min 16 sec Calligraphy is one of Islam’s most beloved artistic traditions. And Mohamed Zakariya (pictured), a convert to Islam, is one of the art form's most celebrated practitioners.  Katie Jones peeks into his studio to find out how the process of creating calligraphy can be as sacred as the final product.  His work is on display at the Walters Museum in Baltimore, Maryland through May 24. Produced by Katie Jones StoryCorps: Martha Conant On Survival Begins at 47 min 5 sec On the afternoon of July 19, 1989, United Airlines Flight 232 crash-landed just outside of Sioux City, Iowa. Of the 296 people on board, 111 died. Martha Conant (pictured, left) was one of only 13 survivors who walked away unscathed.  Looking back on that day, she says God told her,  "This is your only life... Just be grateful for that." Produced by Nadia Reiman for StoryCorps, and recorded in Greeley, Colo. This Week's Interfaith Calendar May 12 - Lag B'Omer (Jewish) This minor holiday marks a break in the Counting of the Omer, a 49-day period between Passover and Shavuot. It's the only day during these seven weeks when observant Jews are permitted to get married, get a haircut and even throw a party. tag:odeo.com,2009-05-06,24550809 Wed, 06 May 2009 07:20:45 -0700 no Interfaith Voices Podcast (hour-long version) Religion & Spirituality, 2009 http://odeo.com/episodes/24675126-When-Science-Sparks-Faith Francis Collins, Finding God in the Human Genome This week, we meet Dr. Francis Collins, the scientist who led the team that deciphered our genetic code. When he finally finished mapping all those As, Gs, Cs and Ts, he says he caught a glimpse of our own sacred "instruction book". Collins grew up as an agnostic, became an atheist, and then – just as his immersion in the scientific world was deepening – he became a Christian.  His story is the reverse of popular stereotypes: science didn't destroy his faith, it strengthened it.   Dr. Francis Collins, founder of the Biologos Foundation and author of The Language of God: A Scientist Presents Evidence for Belief The guitar-playing geneticist...live and unplugged! The Scalpel and the Soul Begins at 22 min 38 sec How should surgeons, trained so carefully to rely on hard facts, explain miraculous recoveries, out-of-body experiences and other-worldly visions in the operating room? Our guest, Dr. Allan Hamilto... Francis Collins, Finding God in the Human Genome This week, we meet Dr. Francis Collins, the scientist who led the team that deciphered our genetic code. When he finally finished mapping all those As, Gs, Cs and Ts, he says he caught a glimpse of our own sacred "instruction book". Collins grew up as an agnostic, became an atheist, and then – just as his immersion in the scientific world was deepening – he became a Christian.  His story is the reverse of popular stereotypes: science didn't destroy his faith, it strengthened it.   Dr. Francis Collins, founder of the Biologos Foundation and author of The Language of God: A Scientist Presents Evidence for Belief The guitar-playing geneticist...live and unplugged! The Scalpel and the Soul Begins at 22 min 38 sec How should surgeons, trained so carefully to rely on hard facts, explain miraculous recoveries, out-of-body experiences and other-worldly visions in the operating room? Our guest, Dr. Allan Hamilton, is a Harvard-trained neurosurgeon with 30 years of experience.  Once a skeptic, he says he now sees these events as signs of a power far greater than ourselves. Dr. Allan Hamilton, author of The Scalpel and the Soul: Encounters with Surgery, the Supernatural and the Healing Power of Hope StoryCorps: Rev. Robert Crum on Redemption Begins at 49 min 14 sec Some years ago, Rev. Robert Crum turned a deserted building in Iowa into what he called his “house of refuge,” a shelter for troubled youth, battered women and the down and out.   Now 83, he tells his wife about one house guest he’ll never forget. Recorded in Lawton, Okla. This Week's Interfaith Calendar May 2 - Twelfth Day Of Ridvan (Baha'i) Marks Baha'u'llah's departure from the Ridvan garden, where he proclaimed himself the prophet of the modern age. Baha'is suspend work on this day. May 9 - Vesak (Buddhist) Vesak, or Buddha Day, is most important festival of the year for many Buddhists, who celebrate the Buddha's birth, death and Enlightenment in a single day. Francis Collins, Finding God in the Human Genome This week, we meet Dr. Francis Collins, the scientist who led the team that deciphered our genetic code. When he finally finished mapping all those As, Gs, Cs and Ts, he says he caught a glimpse of our own sacred "instruction book". Collins grew up as an agnostic, became an atheist, and then – just as his immersion in the scientific world was deepening – he became a Christian.  His story is the reverse of popular stereotypes: science didn't destroy his faith, it strengthened it.   Dr. Francis Collins, founder of the Biologos Foundation and author of The Language of God: A Scientist Presents Evidence for Belief The guitar-playing geneticist...live and unplugged! The Scalpel and the Soul Begins at 22 min 38 sec How should surgeons, trained so carefully to rely on hard facts, explain miraculous recoveries, out-of-body experiences and other-worldly visions in the operating room? Our guest, Dr. Allan Hamilton, is a Harvard-trained neurosurgeon with 30 years of experience.  Once a skeptic, he says he now sees these events as signs of a power far greater than ourselves. Dr. Allan Hamilton, author of The Scalpel and the Soul: Encounters with Surgery, the Supernatural and the Healing Power of Hope StoryCorps: Rev. Robert Crum on Redemption Begins at 49 min 14 sec Some years ago, Rev. Robert Crum turned a deserted building in Iowa into what he called his “house of refuge,” a shelter for troubled youth, battered women and the down and out.   Now 83, he tells his wife about one house guest he’ll never forget. Recorded in Lawton, Okla. This Week's Interfaith Calendar May 2 - Twelfth Day Of Ridvan (Baha'i) Marks Baha'u'llah's departure from the Ridvan garden, where he proclaimed himself the prophet of the modern age. Baha'is suspend work on this day. May 9 - Vesak (Buddhist) Vesak, or Buddha Day, is most important festival of the year for many Buddhists, who celebrate the Buddha's birth, death and Enlightenment in a single day. tag:odeo.com,2009-04-29,24675126 Wed, 29 Apr 2009 10:31:16 -0700 no Interfaith Voices Podcast (hour-long version) Religion & Spirituality, 2005 http://odeo.com/episodes/24520117-When-Science-Sparks-Faith Francis Collins, Finding God in the Human Genome This week, we meet Dr. Francis Collins, the scientist who led the team that deciphered our genetic code. When he finally finished mapping all those As, Gs, Cs and Ts, he says he caught a glimpse of our own sacred "instruction book". Collins grew up as an agnostic, became an atheist, and then – just as his immersion in the scientific world was deepening – he became a Christian.  His story is the reverse of popular stereotypes: science didn't destroy his faith, it strengthened it.   Dr. Francis Collins, founder of the Biologos Foundation and author of The Language of God: A Scientist Presents Evidence for Belief The guitar-playing geneticist...live and unplugged! The Scalpel and the Soul Begins at 22 min 38 sec How should surgeons, trained so carefully to rely on hard facts, explain miraculous recoveries, out-of-body experiences and other-worldly visions in the operating room? Our guest, Dr. Allan Hamilto... Francis Collins, Finding God in the Human Genome This week, we meet Dr. Francis Collins, the scientist who led the team that deciphered our genetic code. When he finally finished mapping all those As, Gs, Cs and Ts, he says he caught a glimpse of our own sacred "instruction book". Collins grew up as an agnostic, became an atheist, and then – just as his immersion in the scientific world was deepening – he became a Christian.  His story is the reverse of popular stereotypes: science didn't destroy his faith, it strengthened it.   Dr. Francis Collins, founder of the Biologos Foundation and author of The Language of God: A Scientist Presents Evidence for Belief The guitar-playing geneticist...live and unplugged! The Scalpel and the Soul Begins at 22 min 38 sec How should surgeons, trained so carefully to rely on hard facts, explain miraculous recoveries, out-of-body experiences and other-worldly visions in the operating room? Our guest, Dr. Allan Hamilton, is a Harvard-trained neurosurgeon with 30 years of experience.  Once a skeptic, he says he now sees these events as signs of a power far greater than ourselves. Dr. Allan Hamilton, author of The Scalpel and the Soul: Encounters with Surgery, the Supernatural and the Healing Power of Hope StoryCorps: Rev. Robert Crum on Redemption Begins at 49 min 14 sec Some years ago, Rev. Robert Crum turned a deserted building in Iowa into what he called his “house of refuge,” a shelter for troubled youth, battered women and the down and out.   Now 83, he tells his wife about one house guest he’ll never forget. Recorded in Lawton, Okla. This Week's Interfaith Calendar May 2 - Twelfth Day Of Ridvan (Baha'i) Marks Baha'u'llah's departure from the Ridvan garden, where he proclaimed himself the prophet of the modern age. Baha'is suspend work on this day. May 9 - Vesak (Buddhist) Vesak, or Buddha Day, is most important festival of the year for many Buddhists, who celebrate the Buddha's birth, death and Enlightenment in a single day. Francis Collins, Finding God in the Human Genome This week, we meet Dr. Francis Collins, the scientist who led the team that deciphered our genetic code. When he finally finished mapping all those As, Gs, Cs and Ts, he says he caught a glimpse of our own sacred "instruction book". Collins grew up as an agnostic, became an atheist, and then – just as his immersion in the scientific world was deepening – he became a Christian.  His story is the reverse of popular stereotypes: science didn't destroy his faith, it strengthened it.   Dr. Francis Collins, founder of the Biologos Foundation and author of The Language of God: A Scientist Presents Evidence for Belief The guitar-playing geneticist...live and unplugged! The Scalpel and the Soul Begins at 22 min 38 sec How should surgeons, trained so carefully to rely on hard facts, explain miraculous recoveries, out-of-body experiences and other-worldly visions in the operating room? Our guest, Dr. Allan Hamilton, is a Harvard-trained neurosurgeon with 30 years of experience.  Once a skeptic, he says he now sees these events as signs of a power far greater than ourselves. Dr. Allan Hamilton, author of The Scalpel and the Soul: Encounters with Surgery, the Supernatural and the Healing Power of Hope StoryCorps: Rev. Robert Crum on Redemption Begins at 49 min 14 sec Some years ago, Rev. Robert Crum turned a deserted building in Iowa into what he called his “house of refuge,” a shelter for troubled youth, battered women and the down and out.   Now 83, he tells his wife about one house guest he’ll never forget. Recorded in Lawton, Okla. This Week's Interfaith Calendar May 2 - Twelfth Day Of Ridvan (Baha'i) Marks Baha'u'llah's departure from the Ridvan garden, where he proclaimed himself the prophet of the modern age. Baha'is suspend work on this day. May 9 - Vesak (Buddhist) Vesak, or Buddha Day, is most important festival of the year for many Buddhists, who celebrate the Buddha's birth, death and Enlightenment in a single day. tag:odeo.com,2009-04-29,24520117 Wed, 29 Apr 2009 10:31:16 -0700 no Interfaith Voices Podcast (hour-long version) Religion & Spirituality, 2005 http://odeo.com/episodes/24497684-Everything-You-Always-Wanted-To-Know-About-Judaism-and-Sex-But-Were-Afraid-to-Ask Heavenly Sex She’s Jewish, she’s 4-foot-7, and she likes to see the Torah as an ancient sex manual.  The one and only Dr. Ruth explains the sanctity of sex - good sex - in Jewish law. Dr. Ruth Westheimer, sex therapist and author of Heavenly Sex: Sexuality in the Jewish Tradition Hollywood and the Holocaust Begins at 23 min 29 sec Barbed wire fences....shiny Nazi lapel pins...trains - if they're all in a movie, it's probably about the Holocaust. Laura Kwerel talks to New York Times film critic A.O. Scott about how these Hollywood depictions might actually change the way we remember the Shoah. A.O. Scott, film critic for the New York Times Gay and Lesbian Muslims, On a ‘Jihad’ for Love Begins at 36 min 40 sec A short passage in the Qu'ran, along with a handful of quotes attributed to the prophet Muhammed, condemn homosexuality as a crime in the eyes of some Islamic scholars. A new documentary, now out on DVD, tells the stories of more than a dozen gay and... Heavenly Sex She’s Jewish, she’s 4-foot-7, and she likes to see the Torah as an ancient sex manual.  The one and only Dr. Ruth explains the sanctity of sex - good sex - in Jewish law. Dr. Ruth Westheimer, sex therapist and author of Heavenly Sex: Sexuality in the Jewish Tradition Hollywood and the Holocaust Begins at 23 min 29 sec Barbed wire fences....shiny Nazi lapel pins...trains - if they're all in a movie, it's probably about the Holocaust. Laura Kwerel talks to New York Times film critic A.O. Scott about how these Hollywood depictions might actually change the way we remember the Shoah. A.O. Scott, film critic for the New York Times Gay and Lesbian Muslims, On a ‘Jihad’ for Love Begins at 36 min 40 sec A short passage in the Qu'ran, along with a handful of quotes attributed to the prophet Muhammed, condemn homosexuality as a crime in the eyes of some Islamic scholars. A new documentary, now out on DVD, tells the stories of more than a dozen gay and lesbian Muslims as they struggle to reconcile their identity with their love of Allah. Parvez Sharma, director of A Jihad for Love and Muhsin Hendricks, a subject of the documentary StoryCorps: 'We Bless the Hands' Begins at 49 min 6 sec Janet Lutz worked for more than 30 years as a hospital chaplain. Before retiring, she came to a StoryCorps booth in Atlanta to tell her friend about the quiet acts of kindness and prayer that happen every day in hospitals Produced by StoryCorps, and archived at the American Folklife Center This Week's Interfaith Calendar April 27 - Akshaya Tritiya (Hinduism) Many Hindus believe that marriages, journeys and business ventures that begin on this day will be successful or bring good fortune. It's also a good day to buy gold, since Akshaya Tritiya commemorates the beginning of the Satya Yuga, or "Golden Age". May 1 - Beltane (Paganism) Also known as May Day and Walpurgis Night, Beltane is a celebration of springtime and fertility. The traditional Maypole dance represents the union of the Goddess (or May Queen) and the God (the May King.) Heavenly Sex She’s Jewish, she’s 4-foot-7, and she likes to see the Torah as an ancient sex manual.  The one and only Dr. Ruth explains the sanctity of sex - good sex - in Jewish law. Dr. Ruth Westheimer, sex therapist and author of Heavenly Sex: Sexuality in the Jewish Tradition Hollywood and the Holocaust Begins at 23 min 29 sec Barbed wire fences....shiny Nazi lapel pins...trains - if they're all in a movie, it's probably about the Holocaust. Laura Kwerel talks to New York Times film critic A.O. Scott about how these Hollywood depictions might actually change the way we remember the Shoah. A.O. Scott, film critic for the New York Times Gay and Lesbian Muslims, On a ‘Jihad’ for Love Begins at 36 min 40 sec A short passage in the Qu'ran, along with a handful of quotes attributed to the prophet Muhammed, condemn homosexuality as a crime in the eyes of some Islamic scholars. A new documentary, now out on DVD, tells the stories of more than a dozen gay and lesbian Muslims as they struggle to reconcile their identity with their love of Allah. Parvez Sharma, director of A Jihad for Love and Muhsin Hendricks, a subject of the documentary StoryCorps: 'We Bless the Hands' Begins at 49 min 6 sec Janet Lutz worked for more than 30 years as a hospital chaplain. Before retiring, she came to a StoryCorps booth in Atlanta to tell her friend about the quiet acts of kindness and prayer that happen every day in hospitals Produced by StoryCorps, and archived at the American Folklife Center This Week's Interfaith Calendar April 27 - Akshaya Tritiya (Hinduism) Many Hindus believe that marriages, journeys and business ventures that begin on this day will be successful or bring good fortune. It's also a good day to buy gold, since Akshaya Tritiya commemorates the beginning of the Satya Yuga, or "Golden Age". May 1 - Beltane (Paganism) Also known as May Day and Walpurgis Night, Beltane is a celebration of springtime and fertility. The traditional Maypole dance represents the union of the Goddess (or May Queen) and the God (the May King.) tag:odeo.com,2009-04-23,24497684 Thu, 23 Apr 2009 09:34:58 -0700 no Interfaith Voices Podcast (hour-long version) Religion & Spirituality, 2009 http://odeo.com/episodes/24675127-Everything-You-Always-Wanted-To-Know-About-Judaism-and-Sex-But-Were-Afraid-to-Ask Heavenly Sex She’s Jewish, she’s 4-foot-7, and she likes to see the Torah as an ancient sex manual.  The one and only Dr. Ruth explains the sanctity of sex - good sex - in Jewish law. Dr. Ruth Westheimer, sex therapist and author of Heavenly Sex: Sexuality in the Jewish Tradition Hollywood and the Holocaust Begins at 23 min 29 sec Barbed wire fences....shiny Nazi lapel pins...trains - if they're all in a movie, it's probably about the Holocaust. Laura Kwerel talks to New York Times film critic A.O. Scott about how these Hollywood depictions might actually change the way we remember the Shoah. A.O. Scott, film critic for the New York Times Gay and Lesbian Muslims, On a ‘Jihad’ for Love Begins at 36 min 40 sec A short passage in the Qu'ran, along with a handful of quotes attributed to the prophet Muhammed, condemn homosexuality as a crime in the eyes of some Islamic scholars. A new documentary follows more than a dozen gay and lesbian Muslims as they strug... Heavenly Sex She’s Jewish, she’s 4-foot-7, and she likes to see the Torah as an ancient sex manual.  The one and only Dr. Ruth explains the sanctity of sex - good sex - in Jewish law. Dr. Ruth Westheimer, sex therapist and author of Heavenly Sex: Sexuality in the Jewish Tradition Hollywood and the Holocaust Begins at 23 min 29 sec Barbed wire fences....shiny Nazi lapel pins...trains - if they're all in a movie, it's probably about the Holocaust. Laura Kwerel talks to New York Times film critic A.O. Scott about how these Hollywood depictions might actually change the way we remember the Shoah. A.O. Scott, film critic for the New York Times Gay and Lesbian Muslims, On a ‘Jihad’ for Love Begins at 36 min 40 sec A short passage in the Qu'ran, along with a handful of quotes attributed to the prophet Muhammed, condemn homosexuality as a crime in the eyes of some Islamic scholars. A new documentary follows more than a dozen gay and lesbian Muslims as they struggle to reconcile their identity with their love of Allah. Parvez Sharma, director of A Jihad for Love and Muhsin Hendricks, a subject of the documentary StoryCorps: 'We Bless the Hands' Begins at 49 min 6 sec Janet Lutz worked for more than 30 years as a hospital chaplain. Before retiring, she came to a StoryCorps booth in Atlanta to tell her friend about the quiet acts of kindness and prayer that happen every day in hospitals. Produced by StoryCorps, and archived at the American Folklife Center This Week's Interfaith Calendar April 27 - Akshaya Tritiya (Hinduism) Many Hindus believe that marriages, journeys and business ventures that begin on this day will be successful or bring good fortune. It's also a good day to buy gold, since Akshaya Tritiya commemorates the beginning of the Satya Yuga, or "Golden Age". May 1 - Beltane (Paganism) Also known as May Day and Walpurgis Night, Beltane is a celebration of springtime and fertility. The traditional Maypole dance represents the union of the Goddess (or May Queen) and the God (the May King.) Heavenly Sex She’s Jewish, she’s 4-foot-7, and she likes to see the Torah as an ancient sex manual.  The one and only Dr. Ruth explains the sanctity of sex - good sex - in Jewish law. Dr. Ruth Westheimer, sex therapist and author of Heavenly Sex: Sexuality in the Jewish Tradition Hollywood and the Holocaust Begins at 23 min 29 sec Barbed wire fences....shiny Nazi lapel pins...trains - if they're all in a movie, it's probably about the Holocaust. Laura Kwerel talks to New York Times film critic A.O. Scott about how these Hollywood depictions might actually change the way we remember the Shoah. A.O. Scott, film critic for the New York Times Gay and Lesbian Muslims, On a ‘Jihad’ for Love Begins at 36 min 40 sec A short passage in the Qu'ran, along with a handful of quotes attributed to the prophet Muhammed, condemn homosexuality as a crime in the eyes of some Islamic scholars. A new documentary follows more than a dozen gay and lesbian Muslims as they struggle to reconcile their identity with their love of Allah. Parvez Sharma, director of A Jihad for Love and Muhsin Hendricks, a subject of the documentary StoryCorps: 'We Bless the Hands' Begins at 49 min 6 sec Janet Lutz worked for more than 30 years as a hospital chaplain. Before retiring, she came to a StoryCorps booth in Atlanta to tell her friend about the quiet acts of kindness and prayer that happen every day in hospitals. Produced by StoryCorps, and archived at the American Folklife Center This Week's Interfaith Calendar April 27 - Akshaya Tritiya (Hinduism) Many Hindus believe that marriages, journeys and business ventures that begin on this day will be successful or bring good fortune. It's also a good day to buy gold, since Akshaya Tritiya commemorates the beginning of the Satya Yuga, or "Golden Age". May 1 - Beltane (Paganism) Also known as May Day and Walpurgis Night, Beltane is a celebration of springtime and fertility. The traditional Maypole dance represents the union of the Goddess (or May Queen) and the God (the May King.) tag:odeo.com,2009-04-23,24675127 Thu, 23 Apr 2009 09:34:58 -0700 no Interfaith Voices Podcast (hour-long version) Religion & Spirituality, 2009 http://odeo.com/episodes/24460037-Rev-Richard-Cizik-and-Eco-Evangelism Prayer For a Fragile Planet Rev. Richard Cizik was once the leading lobbyist for the National Association of Evangelicals.  Most of the time, he stuck to the group’s traditional agenda of abortion, gay marriage and family values. But after attending a London conference on global warming, he had what he calls an environmental "conversion." Cizik now believes his green activism was one of the reasons he was forced to resign from the NAE this December, after 28 years on the job.  He joins us this Earth Day to explain what he calls "creation care": a bible-based, Christian understanding of concern for the planet. Rev. Richard  Cizik, Senior Fellow at the United Nations Foundation 'God Is Back,' By Popular Demand Begins at 22 min 30 sec America is the most religious nation in the developed world, thanks in part to our thriving religious marketplace. Now, according to two editors at The Economist, we’ve exported our consumer-driven brand of b... Prayer For a Fragile Planet Rev. Richard Cizik was once the leading lobbyist for the National Association of Evangelicals.  Most of the time, he stuck to the group’s traditional agenda of abortion, gay marriage and family values. But after attending a London conference on global warming, he had what he calls an environmental "conversion." Cizik now believes his green activism was one of the reasons he was forced to resign from the NAE this December, after 28 years on the job.  He joins us this Earth Day to explain what he calls "creation care": a bible-based, Christian understanding of concern for the planet. Rev. Richard  Cizik, Senior Fellow at the United Nations Foundation 'God Is Back,' By Popular Demand Begins at 22 min 30 sec America is the most religious nation in the developed world, thanks in part to our thriving religious marketplace. Now, according to two editors at The Economist, we’ve exported our consumer-driven brand of belief all around the globe.  From megachurches with Burger Kings in Guatemala to corporate-sponsored monasteries in India, they say the world is experiencing a massive revival of faith. John Micklethwait and Adrian Wooldridge, authors of God is Back: How the Global Revival of Faith is Changing the World This Week's Interfaith Calendar April 17 - First Day of Ridvan (Baha'i) The twelve-day period of Ridvan commemorates the prophet Baha’u’llah's declaration in 1863 that he was the messenger of God. April 18 - Birthday of Gurus Angad Dev and Tegh Bahadur (Sikh) The second and ninth gurus of the Sikh faith share a common birthday today. Guru Tegh Bahadur, the ninth of the ten human gurus, is credited for establishing the city of Anandpur as the geographical heart of Sikhism. April 19 - Pascha (Orthodox Christian) On Pascha, also known as Easter, Orthodox Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The word Pascha is a derivation of pesach, the Hebrew term for Passover. April 21 - Yom Hashoah (Jewish) The Jewish Holocaust Memorial Day. The date is chosen as the closest date (in the Jewish calendar) to the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising. Prayer For a Fragile Planet Rev. Richard Cizik was once the leading lobbyist for the National Association of Evangelicals.  Most of the time, he stuck to the group’s traditional agenda of abortion, gay marriage and family values. But after attending a London conference on global warming, he had what he calls an environmental "conversion." Cizik now believes his green activism was one of the reasons he was forced to resign from the NAE this December, after 28 years on the job.  He joins us this Earth Day to explain what he calls "creation care": a bible-based, Christian understanding of concern for the planet. Rev. Richard  Cizik, Senior Fellow at the United Nations Foundation 'God Is Back,' By Popular Demand Begins at 22 min 30 sec America is the most religious nation in the developed world, thanks in part to our thriving religious marketplace. Now, according to two editors at The Economist, we’ve exported our consumer-driven brand of belief all around the globe.  From megachurches with Burger Kings in Guatemala to corporate-sponsored monasteries in India, they say the world is experiencing a massive revival of faith. John Micklethwait and Adrian Wooldridge, authors of God is Back: How the Global Revival of Faith is Changing the World This Week's Interfaith Calendar April 17 - First Day of Ridvan (Baha'i) The twelve-day period of Ridvan commemorates the prophet Baha’u’llah's declaration in 1863 that he was the messenger of God. April 18 - Birthday of Gurus Angad Dev and Tegh Bahadur (Sikh) The second and ninth gurus of the Sikh faith share a common birthday today. Guru Tegh Bahadur, the ninth of the ten human gurus, is credited for establishing the city of Anandpur as the geographical heart of Sikhism. April 19 - Pascha (Orthodox Christian) On Pascha, also known as Easter, Orthodox Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The word Pascha is a derivation of pesach, the Hebrew term for Passover. April 21 - Yom Hashoah (Jewish) The Jewish Holocaust Memorial Day. The date is chosen as the closest date (in the Jewish calendar) to the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising. tag:odeo.com,2009-04-15,24460037 Wed, 15 Apr 2009 12:13:01 -0700 no Interfaith Voices Podcast (hour-long version) Religion & Spirituality, 2005 http://odeo.com/episodes/24675128-Rev-Richard-Cizik-and-Eco-Evangelism Prayer For a Fragile Planet Rev. Richard Cizik was once the leading lobbyist for the National Association of Evangelicals.  Most of the time, he stuck to the group’s traditional agenda of abortion, gay marriage and family values. But after attending a London conference on global warming, he had what he calls an environmental "conversion." Cizik now believes his green activism was one of the reasons he was forced to resign from the NAE this December, after 28 years on the job.  He joins us this Earth Day to explain what he calls "creation care": a bible-based, Christian understanding of concern for the planet. Rev. Richard  Cizik, Senior Fellow at the United Nations Foundation 'God Is Back,' By Popular Demand Begins at 22 min 30 sec America is the most religious nation in the developed world, thanks in part to our thriving religious marketplace. Now, according to two editors at The Economist, we’ve exported our consumer-driven brand of b... Prayer For a Fragile Planet Rev. Richard Cizik was once the leading lobbyist for the National Association of Evangelicals.  Most of the time, he stuck to the group’s traditional agenda of abortion, gay marriage and family values. But after attending a London conference on global warming, he had what he calls an environmental "conversion." Cizik now believes his green activism was one of the reasons he was forced to resign from the NAE this December, after 28 years on the job.  He joins us this Earth Day to explain what he calls "creation care": a bible-based, Christian understanding of concern for the planet. Rev. Richard  Cizik, Senior Fellow at the United Nations Foundation 'God Is Back,' By Popular Demand Begins at 22 min 30 sec America is the most religious nation in the developed world, thanks in part to our thriving religious marketplace. Now, according to two editors at The Economist, we’ve exported our consumer-driven brand of belief all around the globe.  From megachurches with Burger Kings in Guatemala to corporate-sponsored monasteries in India, they say the world is experiencing a massive revival of faith. John Micklethwait and Adrian Wooldridge, authors of God is Back: How the Global Revival of Faith is Changing the World This Week's Interfaith Calendar April 17 - First Day of Ridvan (Baha'i) The twelve-day period of Ridvan commemorates the prophet Baha’u’llah's declaration in 1863 that he was the messenger of God. April 18 - Birthday of Gurus Angad Dev and Tegh Bahadur (Sikh) The second and ninth gurus of the Sikh faith share a common birthday today. Guru Tegh Bahadur, the ninth of the ten human gurus, is credited for establishing the city of Anandpur as the geographical heart of Sikhism. April 19 - Pascha (Orthodox Christian) On Pascha, also known as Easter, Orthodox Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The word Pascha is a derivation of pesach, the Hebrew term for Passover. April 21 - Yom Hashoah (Jewish) The Jewish Holocaust Memorial Day. The date is chosen as the closest date (in the Jewish calendar) to the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising. Prayer For a Fragile Planet Rev. Richard Cizik was once the leading lobbyist for the National Association of Evangelicals.  Most of the time, he stuck to the group’s traditional agenda of abortion, gay marriage and family values. But after attending a London conference on global warming, he had what he calls an environmental "conversion." Cizik now believes his green activism was one of the reasons he was forced to resign from the NAE this December, after 28 years on the job.  He joins us this Earth Day to explain what he calls "creation care": a bible-based, Christian understanding of concern for the planet. Rev. Richard  Cizik, Senior Fellow at the United Nations Foundation 'God Is Back,' By Popular Demand Begins at 22 min 30 sec America is the most religious nation in the developed world, thanks in part to our thriving religious marketplace. Now, according to two editors at The Economist, we’ve exported our consumer-driven brand of belief all around the globe.  From megachurches with Burger Kings in Guatemala to corporate-sponsored monasteries in India, they say the world is experiencing a massive revival of faith. John Micklethwait and Adrian Wooldridge, authors of God is Back: How the Global Revival of Faith is Changing the World This Week's Interfaith Calendar April 17 - First Day of Ridvan (Baha'i) The twelve-day period of Ridvan commemorates the prophet Baha’u’llah's declaration in 1863 that he was the messenger of God. April 18 - Birthday of Gurus Angad Dev and Tegh Bahadur (Sikh) The second and ninth gurus of the Sikh faith share a common birthday today. Guru Tegh Bahadur, the ninth of the ten human gurus, is credited for establishing the city of Anandpur as the geographical heart of Sikhism. April 19 - Pascha (Orthodox Christian) On Pascha, also known as Easter, Orthodox Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The word Pascha is a derivation of pesach, the Hebrew term for Passover. April 21 - Yom Hashoah (Jewish) The Jewish Holocaust Memorial Day. The date is chosen as the closest date (in the Jewish calendar) to the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising. tag:odeo.com,2009-04-15,24675128 Wed, 15 Apr 2009 12:13:01 -0700 no Interfaith Voices Podcast (hour-long version) Religion & Spirituality, 2005 http://odeo.com/episodes/24675129-Love-Not-Belief-at-The-Heart-of-Christianity The New Christian Paradigm Easter is the most important day on the Christian calendar, and for many believers, it recalls the defining moments of their faith. We revisit our 2006 conversation with biblical scholar Marcus Borg, who reflects on what it means to be a modern Christian. Borg emphasizes a personal relationship with a God who lives among us, rather than a belief in a distant deity in a far away heaven. Marcus J. Borg, fellow of the Jesus Seminar, author of The Heart of Christianity: Rediscovering a Life of Faith Commentary: God Is... Begins at 16 min 45 sec High school senior Janell Miller ponders parents, the afterlife and a secret wish to sing in church.  This commentary was originally created for her world history class, where she was asked to answer, ‘What is God?’ Janell Miller, senior at Winooski High School in Winooski, Vt. Produced by Youth Radio Vermont The Art of the Sermon Begins at 22 min 29 sec Crafting an original, thought-provoking sermon (o... The New Christian Paradigm Easter is the most important day on the Christian calendar, and for many believers, it recalls the defining moments of their faith. We revisit our 2006 conversation with biblical scholar Marcus Borg, who reflects on what it means to be a modern Christian. Borg emphasizes a personal relationship with a God who lives among us, rather than a belief in a distant deity in a far away heaven. Marcus J. Borg, fellow of the Jesus Seminar, author of The Heart of Christianity: Rediscovering a Life of Faith Commentary: God Is... Begins at 16 min 45 sec High school senior Janell Miller ponders parents, the afterlife and a secret wish to sing in church.  This commentary was originally created for her world history class, where she was asked to answer, ‘What is God?’ Janell Miller, senior at Winooski High School in Winooski, Vt. Produced by Youth Radio Vermont The Art of the Sermon Begins at 22 min 29 sec Crafting an original, thought-provoking sermon (or at least one that keeps people awake) is no easy task, especially on Easter and Passover.  A pastor and a rabbi share some tricks of the trade - everything from quoting movies to using plain old concrete examples. Rabbi Yosef Edelstein, program coordinator of Mesorah – DC Rev. Eugene Sutton, the Episcopal Bishop of Maryland The Sermons and Orations Project Begins at 36 min 30 sec Interfaith Voices gets a sneek peek at the newest oral history project from the Library of Congress: a collection of more than 300 sermons and orations given during the week of Obama’s inauguration.   We take you from a synagogue in Latrobe, Pennsylvania to a D.C. Baptist church, where then President-elect Obama was listening in the pews. Nancy Groce, curator of the 2009 Sermons and Orations Project In the Kitchen With the 'Jewish Martha Stewart' Begins at 43 min 21 sec For Jews, every Passover begins with a sumptuous, ritualized meal called a seder. It celebrates the Israelites’ Exodus from Egypt with stories, songs, and most importantly, food. The dinner can last anywhere from half an hour to three hours, and needless to say there's a lot of cooking to do. Laura Kwerel dropped by the home of Meredith Jacobs, AKA "the Jewish Martha Stewart", to find out what it takes to make it all happen. Meredith Jacobs, author of The Modern Jewish Mom's Guide to Shabbat StoryCorps: Sister Mary DeSales Collins on Kindness Begins at 48 min 52 sec This week, we bring you a story of the common bond in all religious traditions: kindness. Sister Mary DeSales Collins worked for more than 50 years at the New York Foundling, one of the oldest adoption agencies in New York City. She found homes for hundreds of children, but for her, this adoption case stands out. Produced by StoryCorps, and archived at the American Folklife Center This Week's Interfaith Calendar April 9-12 - Theravadin New Year (Buddhist) Theravada is the oldest surviving Buddhist school and the main form of Buddhism in Southeast Asia. Theravadin Buddhists celebrate the new year after the first full moon in April. April 9 - Lord's Evening Meal (Jehovah's Witness) This commemoration of Christ's last meal is the only major holiday on the Jehovah's Witness calendar. Bread and wine, symbolizing Jesus' body and blood, are passed to each person in attendance. Only those considered anointed, or guaranteed a place in heaven, may consume the sacred sustenance. April 10 - Good Friday (Christian) Christians celebrate Good Friday just before Easter Sunday. It honors the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ, two crucial events in Christian theology. Many Christians spend this day reflecting on the suffering of Christ on the cross. April 12- Easter Sunday (Christian) Easter celebrates Jesus’ resurrection from the dead, three days after his crucifixion.  Modern observances usually include the Easter Bunny, a jolly, anthropomorphic rabbit that historians trace back to 1600.  The first edible Easter Bunnies were made of pastry and sugar, and appeared in Germany during the early 1800s. April 14 - Baisakhi (Sikh) This Sikh festival celebrates fresh beginnings and a successful harvest. It also marks the establishment of the Khalsa, a spiritual army of especially devout Sikhs, by Guru Gobind Singh in 1699. The New Christian Paradigm Easter is the most important day on the Christian calendar, and for many believers, it recalls the defining moments of their faith. We revisit our 2006 conversation with biblical scholar Marcus Borg, who reflects on what it means to be a modern Christian. Borg emphasizes a personal relationship with a God who lives among us, rather than a belief in a distant deity in a far away heaven. Marcus J. Borg, fellow of the Jesus Seminar, author of The Heart of Christianity: Rediscovering a Life of Faith Commentary: God Is... Begins at 16 min 45 sec High school senior Janell Miller ponders parents, the afterlife and a secret wish to sing in church.  This commentary was originally created for her world history class, where she was asked to answer, ‘What is God?’ Janell Miller, senior at Winooski High School in Winooski, Vt. Produced by Youth Radio Vermont The Art of the Sermon Begins at 22 min 29 sec Crafting an original, thought-provoking sermon (or at least one that keeps people awake) is no easy task, especially on Easter and Passover.  A pastor and a rabbi share some tricks of the trade - everything from quoting movies to using plain old concrete examples. Rabbi Yosef Edelstein, program coordinator of Mesorah – DC Rev. Eugene Sutton, the Episcopal Bishop of Maryland The Sermons and Orations Project Begins at 36 min 30 sec Interfaith Voices gets a sneek peek at the newest oral history project from the Library of Congress: a collection of more than 300 sermons and orations given during the week of Obama’s inauguration.   We take you from a synagogue in Latrobe, Pennsylvania to a D.C. Baptist church, where then President-elect Obama was listening in the pews. Nancy Groce, curator of the 2009 Sermons and Orations Project In the Kitchen With the 'Jewish Martha Stewart' Begins at 43 min 21 sec For Jews, every Passover begins with a sumptuous, ritualized meal called a seder. It celebrates the Israelites’ Exodus from Egypt with stories, songs, and most importantly, food. The dinner can last anywhere from half an hour to three hours, and needless to say there's a lot of cooking to do. Laura Kwerel dropped by the home of Meredith Jacobs, AKA "the Jewish Martha Stewart", to find out what it takes to make it all happen. Meredith Jacobs, author of The Modern Jewish Mom's Guide to Shabbat StoryCorps: Sister Mary DeSales Collins on Kindness Begins at 48 min 52 sec This week, we bring you a story of the common bond in all religious traditions: kindness. Sister Mary DeSales Collins worked for more than 50 years at the New York Foundling, one of the oldest adoption agencies in New York City. She found homes for hundreds of children, but for her, this adoption case stands out. Produced by StoryCorps, and archived at the American Folklife Center This Week's Interfaith Calendar April 9-12 - Theravadin New Year (Buddhist) Theravada is the oldest surviving Buddhist school and the main form of Buddhism in Southeast Asia. Theravadin Buddhists celebrate the new year after the first full moon in April. April 9 - Lord's Evening Meal (Jehovah's Witness) This commemoration of Christ's last meal is the only major holiday on the Jehovah's Witness calendar. Bread and wine, symbolizing Jesus' body and blood, are passed to each person in attendance. Only those considered anointed, or guaranteed a place in heaven, may consume the sacred sustenance. April 10 - Good Friday (Christian) Christians celebrate Good Friday just before Easter Sunday. It honors the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ, two crucial events in Christian theology. Many Christians spend this day reflecting on the suffering of Christ on the cross. April 12- Easter Sunday (Christian) Easter celebrates Jesus’ resurrection from the dead, three days after his crucifixion.  Modern observances usually include the Easter Bunny, a jolly, anthropomorphic rabbit that historians trace back to 1600.  The first edible Easter Bunnies were made of pastry and sugar, and appeared in Germany during the early 1800s. April 14 - Baisakhi (Sikh) This Sikh festival celebrates fresh beginnings and a successful harvest. It also marks the establishment of the Khalsa, a spiritual army of especially devout Sikhs, by Guru Gobind Singh in 1699. tag:odeo.com,2009-04-09,24675129 Thu, 09 Apr 2009 07:48:58 -0700 no Interfaith Voices Podcast (hour-long version) Religion & Spirituality, 2005 http://odeo.com/episodes/24435059-Love-Not-Belief-at-The-Heart-of-Christianity The New Christian Paradigm Easter is the most important day on the Christian calendar, and for many believers, it recalls the defining moments of their faith. We revisit our 2006 conversation with biblical scholar Marcus Borg, who reflects on what it means to be a modern Christian. Borg emphasizes a personal relationship with a God who lives among us, rather than a belief in a distant deity in a far away heaven. Marcus J. Borg, fellow of the Jesus Seminar, author of The Heart of Christianity: Rediscovering a Life of Faith Commentary: God Is... Begins at 16 min 45 sec High school senior Janell Miller ponders parents, the afterlife and a secret wish to sing in church.  This commentary was originally created for her world history class, where she was asked to answer, ‘What is God?’ Janell Miller, senior at Winooski High School in Winooski, Vt. Produced by Youth Radio Vermont The Art of the Sermon Begins at 22 min 29 sec Crafting an original, thought-provoking sermon (o... The New Christian Paradigm Easter is the most important day on the Christian calendar, and for many believers, it recalls the defining moments of their faith. We revisit our 2006 conversation with biblical scholar Marcus Borg, who reflects on what it means to be a modern Christian. Borg emphasizes a personal relationship with a God who lives among us, rather than a belief in a distant deity in a far away heaven. Marcus J. Borg, fellow of the Jesus Seminar, author of The Heart of Christianity: Rediscovering a Life of Faith Commentary: God Is... Begins at 16 min 45 sec High school senior Janell Miller ponders parents, the afterlife and a secret wish to sing in church.  This commentary was originally created for her world history class, where she was asked to answer, ‘What is God?’ Janell Miller, senior at Winooski High School in Winooski, Vt. Produced by Youth Radio Vermont The Art of the Sermon Begins at 22 min 29 sec Crafting an original, thought-provoking sermon (or at least one that keeps people awake) is no easy task, especially on Easter and Passover.  A pastor and a rabbi share some tricks of the trade - everything from quoting movies to using plain old concrete examples. Rabbi Yosef Edelstein, program coordinator of Mesorah – DC Rev. Eugene Sutton, the Episcopal Bishop of Maryland The Sermons and Orations Project Begins at 36 min 30 sec Interfaith Voices gets a sneek peek at the newest oral history project from the Library of Congress: a collection of more than 300 sermons and orations given during the week of Obama’s inauguration.   We take you from a synagogue in Latrobe, Pennsylvania to a D.C. Baptist church, where then President-elect Obama was listening in the pews. Nancy Groce, curator of the 2009 Sermons and Orations Project In the Kitchen With the Jewish Martha Stewart Begins at 43 min 21 sec For Jews, every Passover begins with a sumptuous, ritualized meal called a seder. It celebrates the Israelites’ Exodus from Egypt with stories, songs, and most importantly, food. The dinner can last anywhere from half an hour to three hours, and needless to say there's a lot of cooking to do. Laura Kwerel dropped by the home of Meredith Jacobs, AKA "the Jewish Martha Stewart", to find out what it takes to make it all happen. Meredith Jacobs, author of The Modern Jewish Mom's Guide to Shabbat StoryCorps: Sister Mary DeSales Collins on Kindness Begins at 48 min 52 sec This week, we bring you a story of the common bond in all religious traditions: kindness. Sister Mary DeSales Collins worked for more than 50 years at the New York Foundling, one of the oldest adoption agencies in New York City. She found homes for hundreds of children, but for her, this adoption case stands out. Produced by StoryCorps, and archived at the American Folklife Center This Week's Interfaith Calendar April 9-12 - Theravadin New Year (Buddhist) Theravada is the oldest surviving Buddhist school and the main form of Buddhism in Southeast Asia. Theravadin Buddhists celebrate the new year after the first full moon in April. April 9 - Lord's Evening Meal (Jehovah's Witness) This commemoration of Christ's last meal is the only major holiday on the Jehovah's Witness calendar. Bread and wine, symbolizing Jesus' body and blood, are passed to each person in attendance. Only those considered anointed, or guaranteed a place in heaven, may consume the sacred sustenance. April 10 - Good Friday (Christian) Christians celebrate Good Friday just before Easter Sunday. It honors the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ, two crucial events in Christian theology. Many Christians spend this day reflecting on the suffering of Christ on the cross. April 12- Easter Sunday (Christian) Easter celebrates Jesus’ resurrection from the dead, three days after his crucifixion.  Modern observances usually include the Easter Bunny, a jolly, anthropomorphic rabbit that historians trace back to 1600.  The first edible Easter Bunnies were made of pastry and sugar, and appeared in Germany during the early 1800s. April 14 - Baisakhi (Sikh) This Sikh festival celebrates fresh beginnings and a successful harvest. It also marks the establishment of the Khalsa, a spiritual army of especially devout Sikhs, by Guru Gobind Singh in 1699. The New Christian Paradigm Easter is the most important day on the Christian calendar, and for many believers, it recalls the defining moments of their faith. We revisit our 2006 conversation with biblical scholar Marcus Borg, who reflects on what it means to be a modern Christian. Borg emphasizes a personal relationship with a God who lives among us, rather than a belief in a distant deity in a far away heaven. Marcus J. Borg, fellow of the Jesus Seminar, author of The Heart of Christianity: Rediscovering a Life of Faith Commentary: God Is... Begins at 16 min 45 sec High school senior Janell Miller ponders parents, the afterlife and a secret wish to sing in church.  This commentary was originally created for her world history class, where she was asked to answer, ‘What is God?’ Janell Miller, senior at Winooski High School in Winooski, Vt. Produced by Youth Radio Vermont The Art of the Sermon Begins at 22 min 29 sec Crafting an original, thought-provoking sermon (or at least one that keeps people awake) is no easy task, especially on Easter and Passover.  A pastor and a rabbi share some tricks of the trade - everything from quoting movies to using plain old concrete examples. Rabbi Yosef Edelstein, program coordinator of Mesorah – DC Rev. Eugene Sutton, the Episcopal Bishop of Maryland The Sermons and Orations Project Begins at 36 min 30 sec Interfaith Voices gets a sneek peek at the newest oral history project from the Library of Congress: a collection of more than 300 sermons and orations given during the week of Obama’s inauguration.   We take you from a synagogue in Latrobe, Pennsylvania to a D.C. Baptist church, where then President-elect Obama was listening in the pews. Nancy Groce, curator of the 2009 Sermons and Orations Project In the Kitchen With the Jewish Martha Stewart Begins at 43 min 21 sec For Jews, every Passover begins with a sumptuous, ritualized meal called a seder. It celebrates the Israelites’ Exodus from Egypt with stories, songs, and most importantly, food. The dinner can last anywhere from half an hour to three hours, and needless to say there's a lot of cooking to do. Laura Kwerel dropped by the home of Meredith Jacobs, AKA "the Jewish Martha Stewart", to find out what it takes to make it all happen. Meredith Jacobs, author of The Modern Jewish Mom's Guide to Shabbat StoryCorps: Sister Mary DeSales Collins on Kindness Begins at 48 min 52 sec This week, we bring you a story of the common bond in all religious traditions: kindness. Sister Mary DeSales Collins worked for more than 50 years at the New York Foundling, one of the oldest adoption agencies in New York City. She found homes for hundreds of children, but for her, this adoption case stands out. Produced by StoryCorps, and archived at the American Folklife Center This Week's Interfaith Calendar April 9-12 - Theravadin New Year (Buddhist) Theravada is the oldest surviving Buddhist school and the main form of Buddhism in Southeast Asia. Theravadin Buddhists celebrate the new year after the first full moon in April. April 9 - Lord's Evening Meal (Jehovah's Witness) This commemoration of Christ's last meal is the only major holiday on the Jehovah's Witness calendar. Bread and wine, symbolizing Jesus' body and blood, are passed to each person in attendance. Only those considered anointed, or guaranteed a place in heaven, may consume the sacred sustenance. April 10 - Good Friday (Christian) Christians celebrate Good Friday just before Easter Sunday. It honors the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ, two crucial events in Christian theology. Many Christians spend this day reflecting on the suffering of Christ on the cross. April 12- Easter Sunday (Christian) Easter celebrates Jesus’ resurrection from the dead, three days after his crucifixion.  Modern observances usually include the Easter Bunny, a jolly, anthropomorphic rabbit that historians trace back to 1600.  The first edible Easter Bunnies were made of pastry and sugar, and appeared in Germany during the early 1800s. April 14 - Baisakhi (Sikh) This Sikh festival celebrates fresh beginnings and a successful harvest. It also marks the establishment of the Khalsa, a spiritual army of especially devout Sikhs, by Guru Gobind Singh in 1699. tag:odeo.com,2009-04-09,24435059 Thu, 09 Apr 2009 07:48:58 -0700 no Interfaith Voices Podcast (hour-long version) Religion & Spirituality, 2005 http://odeo.com/episodes/24675130-Passover-the-Exodus-Story-and-Black-Jews The Black Rabbi From Chicago As a young man in the African Methodist Episcopal Church, Capers C. Funnye Jr. was encouraged to become a pastor.  Instead, he went to rabbinical school. Now one of about 27 black rabbis in the United States, he heads an Ethiopian Hebrew synagogue on the Southwest Side of Chicago. Rabbi Funnye joins us this Passover to share his struggle for acceptance and explain why blacks and Jews have so much in common.  Rabbi Capers C. Funnye, Rabbi of Beth Shalom B’nai Zaken Ethiopian Hebrew Congregation DC's Freedom Seder Begins at 22 min 29 sec Last weekend, more than 300 people gathered at Shiloh Baptist Church in Washington, DC for a “Freedom Seder”: an interfaith celebration of hope, liberation and care for the earth. Our own Maureen Fiedler was there and captured this audio snapshot...in between bites of matzos and haroset. Oy, the Miracles of Passover Coke Begins at 31 min 32 sec Every spring before Passover, Coca-Cola plants in C... The Black Rabbi From Chicago As a young man in the African Methodist Episcopal Church, Capers C. Funnye Jr. was encouraged to become a pastor.  Instead, he went to rabbinical school. Now one of about 27 black rabbis in the United States, he heads an Ethiopian Hebrew synagogue on the Southwest Side of Chicago. Rabbi Funnye joins us this Passover to share his struggle for acceptance and explain why blacks and Jews have so much in common.  Rabbi Capers C. Funnye, Rabbi of Beth Shalom B’nai Zaken Ethiopian Hebrew Congregation DC's Freedom Seder Begins at 22 min 29 sec Last weekend, more than 300 people gathered at Shiloh Baptist Church in Washington, DC for a “Freedom Seder”: an interfaith celebration of hope, liberation and care for the earth. Our own Maureen Fiedler was there and captured this audio snapshot...in between bites of matzos and haroset. Oy, the Miracles of Passover Coke Begins at 31 min 32 sec Every spring before Passover, Coca-Cola plants in Chicago, New York, Atlanta and other cities whip up a tiny batch of soda that's Kosher for Passover. The run lasts about two weeks and has been known to sell out in less than 24 hours. But why is this Coke different from all other Cokes? A few Passovers ago, Laura Kwerel went down to West Rogers Park, in Chicago, to find out. To find your own bottle of Passover Coke, look for two liter bottles with a yellow cap (pictured, left). L'Chaim! More tips... Produced by Laura Kwerel God Uses a Wheelchair Begins at 36 min 57 sec In her ground-breaking book The Disabled God , theologian Nancy Eiesland envisioned God getting around in the kind of lung-powered wheelchairs used by quadriplegics. Eiesland (pictured) died last month at age 44, from causes unrelated to the disabling bone condition she had lived with since birth. Mike Leard learns more about this pioneer of the "liberation theology of disability." Debbie Creamer, author of Disability and Christian Theology: Embodied Limits and Constructive Possibilities StoryCorps: Kahlil Amustafa on Gratitude Begins at 48 min 41 sec Our latest selection from the StoryCorps oral history project features artist and poet Kahlil Almustafa (pictured, left). He shares memories of his mother, who died from HIV/AIDS in 1994. Courtesy of StoryCorps, and archived at the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress This Week's Interfaith Calendar April  5- Palm Sunday (Christian) Palm Sunday commemorates Jesus Christ's jubilant arrival in Jerusalem in the days before his crucifixion. As described in the Gospels, the crowds greeted him by waving palm branches, a symbol of victory in pre-Christian times. Many modern Christian churches mark the holiday by giving worshippers palm leaves tied to crosses. April 7 - Mahavira Jayanti (Jain) Today, Jains celebrate the birth of Mahavira, the 24th and final tirthankara, or enlightened spiritual guide of their faith. Mahavira promoted the five great vows of Jainism: non-violence, truth, avoidance of stealing, chastity, and detachment from possessions. April 8 - Passover (Jewish) This eight-day holiday commemorates the liberation of the ancient Israelites from Egypt, after 210 years of enslavement. Jews enjoy a special meal called a seder on the first two nights of the festival, which includes four cups of wine, matzo, horseradish, and other symbolic snacks. The Black Rabbi From Chicago As a young man in the African Methodist Episcopal Church, Capers C. Funnye Jr. was encouraged to become a pastor.  Instead, he went to rabbinical school. Now one of about 27 black rabbis in the United States, he heads an Ethiopian Hebrew synagogue on the Southwest Side of Chicago. Rabbi Funnye joins us this Passover to share his struggle for acceptance and explain why blacks and Jews have so much in common.  Rabbi Capers C. Funnye, Rabbi of Beth Shalom B’nai Zaken Ethiopian Hebrew Congregation DC's Freedom Seder Begins at 22 min 29 sec Last weekend, more than 300 people gathered at Shiloh Baptist Church in Washington, DC for a “Freedom Seder”: an interfaith celebration of hope, liberation and care for the earth. Our own Maureen Fiedler was there and captured this audio snapshot...in between bites of matzos and haroset. Oy, the Miracles of Passover Coke Begins at 31 min 32 sec Every spring before Passover, Coca-Cola plants in Chicago, New York, Atlanta and other cities whip up a tiny batch of soda that's Kosher for Passover. The run lasts about two weeks and has been known to sell out in less than 24 hours. But why is this Coke different from all other Cokes? A few Passovers ago, Laura Kwerel went down to West Rogers Park, in Chicago, to find out. To find your own bottle of Passover Coke, look for two liter bottles with a yellow cap (pictured, left). L'Chaim! More tips... Produced by Laura Kwerel God Uses a Wheelchair Begins at 36 min 57 sec In her ground-breaking book The Disabled God , theologian Nancy Eiesland envisioned God getting around in the kind of lung-powered wheelchairs used by quadriplegics. Eiesland (pictured) died last month at age 44, from causes unrelated to the disabling bone condition she had lived with since birth. Mike Leard learns more about this pioneer of the "liberation theology of disability." Debbie Creamer, author of Disability and Christian Theology: Embodied Limits and Constructive Possibilities StoryCorps: Kahlil Amustafa on Gratitude Begins at 48 min 41 sec Our latest selection from the StoryCorps oral history project features artist and poet Kahlil Almustafa (pictured, left). He shares memories of his mother, who died from HIV/AIDS in 1994. Courtesy of StoryCorps, and archived at the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress This Week's Interfaith Calendar April  5- Palm Sunday (Christian) Palm Sunday commemorates Jesus Christ's jubilant arrival in Jerusalem in the days before his crucifixion. As described in the Gospels, the crowds greeted him by waving palm branches, a symbol of victory in pre-Christian times. Many modern Christian churches mark the holiday by giving worshippers palm leaves tied to crosses. April 7 - Mahavira Jayanti (Jain) Today, Jains celebrate the birth of Mahavira, the 24th and final tirthankara, or enlightened spiritual guide of their faith. Mahavira promoted the five great vows of Jainism: non-violence, truth, avoidance of stealing, chastity, and detachment from possessions. April 8 - Passover (Jewish) This eight-day holiday commemorates the liberation of the ancient Israelites from Egypt, after 210 years of enslavement. Jews enjoy a special meal called a seder on the first two nights of the festival, which includes four cups of wine, matzo, horseradish, and other symbolic snacks. tag:odeo.com,2009-04-02,24675130 Thu, 02 Apr 2009 09:51:58 -0700 no Interfaith Voices Podcast (hour-long version) Religion & Spirituality, 2009 http://odeo.com/episodes/24403344-Passover-the-Exodus-Story-and-Black-Jews The Black Rabbi From Chicago As a young man in the African Methodist Episcopal Church, Capers C. Funnye Jr. felt a gaping, spiritual hole. After a long journey of soul-searching, he found a new faith-- Judaism. Now one of about 27 black rabbis in the United States, he heads an Ethiopian Hebrew synagogue on the Southwest Side of Chicago. Rabbi Funnye joins us this Passover to share his struggle for acceptance and explain why blacks and Jews have so much in common.  Rabbi Capers C. Funnye, Rabbi of Beth Shalom B’nai Zaken Ethiopian Hebrew Congregation DC's Freedom Seder Begins at 22 min 29 sec Last weekend, more than 300 people gathered at Shiloh Baptist Church in Washington, DC for a “Freedom Seder”: an interfaith celebration of hope, liberation and care for the earth. Our own Maureen Fiedler was there and captured this audio snapshot...in between bites of matzos and haroset. Oy, the Miracles of Passover Coke Begins at 31 min 32 sec Every spring before Passover... The Black Rabbi From Chicago As a young man in the African Methodist Episcopal Church, Capers C. Funnye Jr. felt a gaping, spiritual hole. After a long journey of soul-searching, he found a new faith-- Judaism. Now one of about 27 black rabbis in the United States, he heads an Ethiopian Hebrew synagogue on the Southwest Side of Chicago. Rabbi Funnye joins us this Passover to share his struggle for acceptance and explain why blacks and Jews have so much in common.  Rabbi Capers C. Funnye, Rabbi of Beth Shalom B’nai Zaken Ethiopian Hebrew Congregation DC's Freedom Seder Begins at 22 min 29 sec Last weekend, more than 300 people gathered at Shiloh Baptist Church in Washington, DC for a “Freedom Seder”: an interfaith celebration of hope, liberation and care for the earth. Our own Maureen Fiedler was there and captured this audio snapshot...in between bites of matzos and haroset. Oy, the Miracles of Passover Coke Begins at 31 min 32 sec Every spring before Passover, Coca-Cola plants in Chicago, New York, Atlanta and other cities whip up a tiny batch of soda that's Kosher for Passover. The run lasts about two weeks and has been known to sell out in less than 24 hours. But why is this Coke different from all other Cokes? A few Passovers ago, Laura Kwerel went down to West Rogers Park, in Chicago, to find out. To find your own bottle of Passover Coke, look for two liter bottles with a yellow cap (pictured, left). L'Chaim! More tips... Produced by Laura Kwerel God Uses a Wheelchair Begins at 36 min 57 sec In her ground-breaking book The Disabled God , theologian Nancy Eiesland envisioned God getting around in the kind of lung-powered wheelchairs used by quadriplegics. Eiesland (pictured) died last month at age 44, from causes unrelated to the disabling bone condition she had lived with since birth. Mike Leard learns more about this pioneer of the "liberation theology of disability." Debbie Creamer, author of Disability and Christian Theology: Embodied Limits and Constructive Possibilities StoryCorps: Kahlil Amustafa on Gratitude Begins at 48 min 41 sec Our latest selection from the StoryCorps oral history project features artist and poet Kahlil Almustafa (pictured, left). He shares memories of his mother, who died from HIV/AIDS in 1994. Courtesy of StoryCorps, and archived at the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress This Week's Interfaith Calendar April  5- Palm Sunday (Christian) Palm Sunday commemorates Jesus Christ's jubilant arrival in Jerusalem in the days before his crucifixion. As described in the Gospels, the crowds greeted him by waving palm branches, a symbol of victory in pre-Christian times. Many modern Christian churches mark the holiday by giving worshippers palm leaves tied to crosses. April 7 - Mahavira Jayanti (Jain) Today, Jains celebrate the birth of Mahavira, the 24th and final tirthankara, or enlightened spiritual guide of their faith. Mahavira promoted the five great vows of Jainism: non-violence, truth, avoidance of stealing, chastity, and detachment from possessions. April 8 - Passover (Jewish) This eight-day holiday commemorates the liberation of the ancient Israelites from Egypt, after 210 years of enslavement. Jews enjoy a special meal called a seder on the first two nights of the festival, which includes four cups of wine, matzo, horseradish, and other symbolic snacks. The Black Rabbi From Chicago As a young man in the African Methodist Episcopal Church, Capers C. Funnye Jr. felt a gaping, spiritual hole. After a long journey of soul-searching, he found a new faith-- Judaism. Now one of about 27 black rabbis in the United States, he heads an Ethiopian Hebrew synagogue on the Southwest Side of Chicago. Rabbi Funnye joins us this Passover to share his struggle for acceptance and explain why blacks and Jews have so much in common.  Rabbi Capers C. Funnye, Rabbi of Beth Shalom B’nai Zaken Ethiopian Hebrew Congregation DC's Freedom Seder Begins at 22 min 29 sec Last weekend, more than 300 people gathered at Shiloh Baptist Church in Washington, DC for a “Freedom Seder”: an interfaith celebration of hope, liberation and care for the earth. Our own Maureen Fiedler was there and captured this audio snapshot...in between bites of matzos and haroset. Oy, the Miracles of Passover Coke Begins at 31 min 32 sec Every spring before Passover, Coca-Cola plants in Chicago, New York, Atlanta and other cities whip up a tiny batch of soda that's Kosher for Passover. The run lasts about two weeks and has been known to sell out in less than 24 hours. But why is this Coke different from all other Cokes? A few Passovers ago, Laura Kwerel went down to West Rogers Park, in Chicago, to find out. To find your own bottle of Passover Coke, look for two liter bottles with a yellow cap (pictured, left). L'Chaim! More tips... Produced by Laura Kwerel God Uses a Wheelchair Begins at 36 min 57 sec In her ground-breaking book The Disabled God , theologian Nancy Eiesland envisioned God getting around in the kind of lung-powered wheelchairs used by quadriplegics. Eiesland (pictured) died last month at age 44, from causes unrelated to the disabling bone condition she had lived with since birth. Mike Leard learns more about this pioneer of the "liberation theology of disability." Debbie Creamer, author of Disability and Christian Theology: Embodied Limits and Constructive Possibilities StoryCorps: Kahlil Amustafa on Gratitude Begins at 48 min 41 sec Our latest selection from the StoryCorps oral history project features artist and poet Kahlil Almustafa (pictured, left). He shares memories of his mother, who died from HIV/AIDS in 1994. Courtesy of StoryCorps, and archived at the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress This Week's Interfaith Calendar April  5- Palm Sunday (Christian) Palm Sunday commemorates Jesus Christ's jubilant arrival in Jerusalem in the days before his crucifixion. As described in the Gospels, the crowds greeted him by waving palm branches, a symbol of victory in pre-Christian times. Many modern Christian churches mark the holiday by giving worshippers palm leaves tied to crosses. April 7 - Mahavira Jayanti (Jain) Today, Jains celebrate the birth of Mahavira, the 24th and final tirthankara, or enlightened spiritual guide of their faith. Mahavira promoted the five great vows of Jainism: non-violence, truth, avoidance of stealing, chastity, and detachment from possessions. April 8 - Passover (Jewish) This eight-day holiday commemorates the liberation of the ancient Israelites from Egypt, after 210 years of enslavement. Jews enjoy a special meal called a seder on the first two nights of the festival, which includes four cups of wine, matzo, horseradish, and other symbolic snacks. tag:odeo.com,2009-04-02,24403344 Thu, 02 Apr 2009 09:51:58 -0700 no Interfaith Voices Podcast (hour-long version) Religion & Spirituality, 2009 http://odeo.com/episodes/24675131-Christianity-Confidential How to Unlearn the Bible In his new book, Bart Ehrman takes us back to when the New Testament was still a work in progress, when its authors squabbled and nitpicked over basic doctrines.  These conflicts have driven Ehrman to question Christianity's original teachings, asking, "Who wrote the Bible, and why?" Bart Ehrman, author of Jesus, Interrupted Hear the full interview, uninterrupted Think Globally, Fast Locally Begins at 22 min 43 sec If you’ve ever heard the phrase “I’ve given that up for Lent,” it’s probably been in reference to swearing off sweets, cigarettes or chocolate cake. But this year, Christians and other people of faith are swapping candy for carbon. Mike Leard introduces us to a Washington, DC-based effort to give up styrofoam, machine dryers and other polluting products during the forty days leading up to Easter. Allison Fisher, Program Director of Greater Washington Interfaith Power and Light Dr. Rev. Roy Howard, pasto... How to Unlearn the Bible In his new book, Bart Ehrman takes us back to when the New Testament was still a work in progress, when its authors squabbled and nitpicked over basic doctrines.  These conflicts have driven Ehrman to question Christianity's original teachings, asking, "Who wrote the Bible, and why?" Bart Ehrman, author of Jesus, Interrupted Hear the full interview, uninterrupted Think Globally, Fast Locally Begins at 22 min 43 sec If you’ve ever heard the phrase “I’ve given that up for Lent,” it’s probably been in reference to swearing off sweets, cigarettes or chocolate cake. But this year, Christians and other people of faith are swapping candy for carbon. Mike Leard introduces us to a Washington, DC-based effort to give up styrofoam, machine dryers and other polluting products during the forty days leading up to Easter. Allison Fisher, Program Director of Greater Washington Interfaith Power and Light Dr. Rev. Roy Howard, pastor of St. Mark Presbyterian Church in Rockville, Maryland The Serpent Was a Ladies' Man, and Other Bible Stories Begins at 41 min 15 sec Jonathan Goldstein has read the Bible, and he has a few questions for God.  Wouldn’t it be kind of boring to live inside of a whale?  Was the serpent in the garden of Eden a kind of ancient ladies' man?  And what did they do about all those animal smells on Noah’s ark?  In his new book, the This American Life alum re-works the Bible to draw out its human moments, populating it with neurotics, loners and hypochondriacs.  Jonathan Goldstein, author of Ladies and Gentlemen, The Bible! StoryCorps: Hector Black on Forgiveness Begins at 47 min 20 sec For the next few weeks, we’ll be presenting stories of hope, gratitude, forgiveness and faith. They’re from StoryCorps, the oral history project that is traveling the country, recording conversations between ordinary people. This week, we bring you the first of our favorite selections: the story of Hector Black, who describes his struggle to forgive his daughter's murderer. Courtesy of StoryCorps from the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress This Week's Interfaith Calendar April 1 - April Fool's Day (Non-denominational) One theory behind the origins of this prank-filled holiday involves Inter gravissimas, a papal decree issued by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582. It ushered in the use of the Gregorian calendar in the Roman Catholic Church, and pushed the year one month further than the older Julian calendar. Whoever forgetfully celebrated May Day a month too early was labeled an "April Fool." April 3 - Ram Navami (Hindu) This day traditionally marks the birth of Rama, one of the most popular gods in the Hindu pantheon. In art, Rama is often depicted with blue skin, carrying a bow and arrow, and accompanied by Hanuman, the monkey god. How to Unlearn the Bible In his new book, Bart Ehrman takes us back to when the New Testament was still a work in progress, when its authors squabbled and nitpicked over basic doctrines.  These conflicts have driven Ehrman to question Christianity's original teachings, asking, "Who wrote the Bible, and why?" Bart Ehrman, author of Jesus, Interrupted Hear the full interview, uninterrupted Think Globally, Fast Locally Begins at 22 min 43 sec If you’ve ever heard the phrase “I’ve given that up for Lent,” it’s probably been in reference to swearing off sweets, cigarettes or chocolate cake. But this year, Christians and other people of faith are swapping candy for carbon. Mike Leard introduces us to a Washington, DC-based effort to give up styrofoam, machine dryers and other polluting products during the forty days leading up to Easter. Allison Fisher, Program Director of Greater Washington Interfaith Power and Light Dr. Rev. Roy Howard, pastor of St. Mark Presbyterian Church in Rockville, Maryland The Serpent Was a Ladies' Man, and Other Bible Stories Begins at 41 min 15 sec Jonathan Goldstein has read the Bible, and he has a few questions for God.  Wouldn’t it be kind of boring to live inside of a whale?  Was the serpent in the garden of Eden a kind of ancient ladies' man?  And what did they do about all those animal smells on Noah’s ark?  In his new book, the This American Life alum re-works the Bible to draw out its human moments, populating it with neurotics, loners and hypochondriacs.  Jonathan Goldstein, author of Ladies and Gentlemen, The Bible! StoryCorps: Hector Black on Forgiveness Begins at 47 min 20 sec For the next few weeks, we’ll be presenting stories of hope, gratitude, forgiveness and faith. They’re from StoryCorps, the oral history project that is traveling the country, recording conversations between ordinary people. This week, we bring you the first of our favorite selections: the story of Hector Black, who describes his struggle to forgive his daughter's murderer. Courtesy of StoryCorps from the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress This Week's Interfaith Calendar April 1 - April Fool's Day (Non-denominational) One theory behind the origins of this prank-filled holiday involves Inter gravissimas, a papal decree issued by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582. It ushered in the use of the Gregorian calendar in the Roman Catholic Church, and pushed the year one month further than the older Julian calendar. Whoever forgetfully celebrated May Day a month too early was labeled an "April Fool." April 3 - Ram Navami (Hindu) This day traditionally marks the birth of Rama, one of the most popular gods in the Hindu pantheon. In art, Rama is often depicted with blue skin, carrying a bow and arrow, and accompanied by Hanuman, the monkey god. tag:odeo.com,2009-03-25,24675131 Wed, 25 Mar 2009 12:49:38 -0700 no Interfaith Voices Podcast (hour-long version) Religion & Spirituality, 2009 http://odeo.com/episodes/24372152-Christianity-Confidential How to Unlearn the Bible In his new book, Bart Ehrman takes us back to when the New Testament was still a work in progress, when its authors squabbled and nitpicked over basic doctrines.  These conflicts have driven Ehrman to question Christianity's original teachings, asking, "Who wrote the Bible, and why?" Bart Ehrman, author of Jesus, Interrupted Hear the full interview, uninterrupted Think Globally, Fast Locally Begins at 22 min 43 sec If you’ve ever heard the phrase “I’ve given that up for Lent,” it’s probably been in reference to swearing off sweets, cigarettes or chocolate cake. But this year, Christians and other people of faith are swapping candy for carbon. Mike Leard introduces us to Washington, DC-based effort to give up styrofoam, machine dryers and other polluting products during the forty days leading up to Easter. Allison Fisher, Program Director of Greater Washington Interfaith Power and Light Dr. Rev. Roy Howard, pastor ... How to Unlearn the Bible In his new book, Bart Ehrman takes us back to when the New Testament was still a work in progress, when its authors squabbled and nitpicked over basic doctrines.  These conflicts have driven Ehrman to question Christianity's original teachings, asking, "Who wrote the Bible, and why?" Bart Ehrman, author of Jesus, Interrupted Hear the full interview, uninterrupted Think Globally, Fast Locally Begins at 22 min 43 sec If you’ve ever heard the phrase “I’ve given that up for Lent,” it’s probably been in reference to swearing off sweets, cigarettes or chocolate cake. But this year, Christians and other people of faith are swapping candy for carbon. Mike Leard introduces us to Washington, DC-based effort to give up styrofoam, machine dryers and other polluting products during the forty days leading up to Easter. Allison Fisher, Program Director of Greater Washington Interfaith Power and Light Dr. Rev. Roy Howard, pastor of St. Mark Presbyterian Church in Rockville, Maryland The Serpent Was a Ladies' Man, and Other Bible Stories Begins at 41 min 15 sec Jonathan Goldstein has read the Bible, and he has a few questions for God.  Wouldn’t it be kind boring to live inside of a whale?  Was the serpent in the garden of Eden a kind of ancient ladies' man?  And what did they do about all those animal smells on Noah’s ark?  In his new book, the This American Life alum re-works the Bible to draw out its human moments, populating it with neurotics, loners and hypochondriacs.  Jonathan Goldstein, author of Ladies and Gentlemen, The Bible! StoryCorps: Hector Black on Forgiveness Begins at 47 min 20 sec For the next few weeks, we’ll be presenting stories of hope, gratitude, forgiveness and faith. They’re from StoryCorps, the oral history project that is traveling the country, recording conversations between ordinary people. This week, we bring you the first of our favorite selections: the story of Hector Black, who describes his struggle to forgive his daughter's murderer. Courtesy of StoryCorps from the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress This Week's Interfaith Calendar April 1 - April Fool's Day (Non-denominational) One theory behind the origins of this prank-filled holiday involves Inter gravissimas, a papal decree issued by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582. It ushered in the use of the Gregorian calendar in the Roman Catholic Church, and pushed the year one month further than the older Julian calendar. Whoever forgetfully celebrated May Day a month too early was labeled an "April Fool." April 3 - Ram Navami (Hindu) This day traditionally marks the birth of Rama, one of the most popular gods in the Hindu pantheon. In art, Rama is often depicted with blue skin, carrying a bow and arrow, and accompanied by Hanuman, the monkey god. How to Unlearn the Bible In his new book, Bart Ehrman takes us back to when the New Testament was still a work in progress, when its authors squabbled and nitpicked over basic doctrines.  These conflicts have driven Ehrman to question Christianity's original teachings, asking, "Who wrote the Bible, and why?" Bart Ehrman, author of Jesus, Interrupted Hear the full interview, uninterrupted Think Globally, Fast Locally Begins at 22 min 43 sec If you’ve ever heard the phrase “I’ve given that up for Lent,” it’s probably been in reference to swearing off sweets, cigarettes or chocolate cake. But this year, Christians and other people of faith are swapping candy for carbon. Mike Leard introduces us to Washington, DC-based effort to give up styrofoam, machine dryers and other polluting products during the forty days leading up to Easter. Allison Fisher, Program Director of Greater Washington Interfaith Power and Light Dr. Rev. Roy Howard, pastor of St. Mark Presbyterian Church in Rockville, Maryland The Serpent Was a Ladies' Man, and Other Bible Stories Begins at 41 min 15 sec Jonathan Goldstein has read the Bible, and he has a few questions for God.  Wouldn’t it be kind boring to live inside of a whale?  Was the serpent in the garden of Eden a kind of ancient ladies' man?  And what did they do about all those animal smells on Noah’s ark?  In his new book, the This American Life alum re-works the Bible to draw out its human moments, populating it with neurotics, loners and hypochondriacs.  Jonathan Goldstein, author of Ladies and Gentlemen, The Bible! StoryCorps: Hector Black on Forgiveness Begins at 47 min 20 sec For the next few weeks, we’ll be presenting stories of hope, gratitude, forgiveness and faith. They’re from StoryCorps, the oral history project that is traveling the country, recording conversations between ordinary people. This week, we bring you the first of our favorite selections: the story of Hector Black, who describes his struggle to forgive his daughter's murderer. Courtesy of StoryCorps from the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress This Week's Interfaith Calendar April 1 - April Fool's Day (Non-denominational) One theory behind the origins of this prank-filled holiday involves Inter gravissimas, a papal decree issued by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582. It ushered in the use of the Gregorian calendar in the Roman Catholic Church, and pushed the year one month further than the older Julian calendar. Whoever forgetfully celebrated May Day a month too early was labeled an "April Fool." April 3 - Ram Navami (Hindu) This day traditionally marks the birth of Rama, one of the most popular gods in the Hindu pantheon. In art, Rama is often depicted with blue skin, carrying a bow and arrow, and accompanied by Hanuman, the monkey god. tag:odeo.com,2009-03-25,24372152 Wed, 25 Mar 2009 12:49:38 -0700 no Interfaith Voices Podcast (hour-long version) Religion & Spirituality, 2009 http://odeo.com/episodes/24675135-A-Lutheran-Trek-Across-the-Holy-Land A Call For Peace This January, bishops from America’s largest Lutheran denomination journeyed to the West Bank to show their support for Palestinian Christians. Bishop Margaret Payne was there, and describes a virtual "Wild West" where roads are blocked, water is diverted, and families are divided by a 30-foot concrete wall. Bishop Margaret Payne, New England synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Losing My Religion Begins at 23 min 50 sec For years, journalist William Lobdell prayed for the religion beat at the LA Times. A devout Christian, he wanted to present a nuanced version of personal faith. But the more he investigated, the more lies he uncovered: pedophile pastors, ostracized ex-Mormons and bishops who hid the crimes of child molesters. Now a reluctant atheist, Lobdell explains how he learned to embrace a life without God. William Lobdell, author of Losing My Religion: How I Lost My Faith Reporting on Religion in America – and Found Unexpe... A Call For Peace This January, bishops from America’s largest Lutheran denomination journeyed to the West Bank to show their support for Palestinian Christians. Bishop Margaret Payne was there, and describes a virtual "Wild West" where roads are blocked, water is diverted, and families are divided by a 30-foot concrete wall. Bishop Margaret Payne, New England synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Losing My Religion Begins at 23 min 50 sec For years, journalist William Lobdell prayed for the religion beat at the LA Times. A devout Christian, he wanted to present a nuanced version of personal faith. But the more he investigated, the more lies he uncovered: pedophile pastors, ostracized ex-Mormons and bishops who hid the crimes of child molesters. Now a reluctant atheist, Lobdell explains how he learned to embrace a life without God. William Lobdell, author of Losing My Religion: How I Lost My Faith Reporting on Religion in America – and Found Unexpected Peace Commentary: Excommunicating the Victims Begins at 48 min 3 sec Mary Hunt offers her take on the case of a 9-year-old Brazilian girl who became pregnant with twins after being raped by her stepfather.  In her 15th week of pregnancy at only 80 pounds, she had an abortion to save her life. But because the local Archbishop declared abortion the “more serious” crime, her mother and doctor were excommunicated--and the stepfather was not. Mary Hunt, co-director of the Women’s Alliance for Theology, Ethics and Ritual This commentary originally appeared in Religion Dispatches This Week's Interfaith Calendar March 21 - Ostara (Pagan) On the vernal equinox, Wiccans and Neopagans honor the goddess Eostre. "Ostara," "Eostre" and "Easter" all share a common origin in the ancient Germanic word for "east," linking them to the rising sun and the longer days of springtime. March 21 - Nowruz (Zoroastrian) Another celebration of the equinox, Nowruz (or "new day") is a festival of fire, and modern Iran's biggest holiday. Zoroastrians believe the world was created on this day, but Nowruz is also celebrated in other traditions, including the Baha'i faith and Islam. A Call For Peace This January, bishops from America’s largest Lutheran denomination journeyed to the West Bank to show their support for Palestinian Christians. Bishop Margaret Payne was there, and describes a virtual "Wild West" where roads are blocked, water is diverted, and families are divided by a 30-foot concrete wall. Bishop Margaret Payne, New England synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Losing My Religion Begins at 23 min 50 sec For years, journalist William Lobdell prayed for the religion beat at the LA Times. A devout Christian, he wanted to present a nuanced version of personal faith. But the more he investigated, the more lies he uncovered: pedophile pastors, ostracized ex-Mormons and bishops who hid the crimes of child molesters. Now a reluctant atheist, Lobdell explains how he learned to embrace a life without God. William Lobdell, author of Losing My Religion: How I Lost My Faith Reporting on Religion in America – and Found Unexpected Peace Commentary: Excommunicating the Victims Begins at 48 min 3 sec Mary Hunt offers her take on the case of a 9-year-old Brazilian girl who became pregnant with twins after being raped by her stepfather.  In her 15th week of pregnancy at only 80 pounds, she had an abortion to save her life. But because the local Archbishop declared abortion the “more serious” crime, her mother and doctor were excommunicated--and the stepfather was not. Mary Hunt, co-director of the Women’s Alliance for Theology, Ethics and Ritual This commentary originally appeared in Religion Dispatches This Week's Interfaith Calendar March 21 - Ostara (Pagan) On the vernal equinox, Wiccans and Neopagans honor the goddess Eostre. "Ostara," "Eostre" and "Easter" all share a common origin in the ancient Germanic word for "east," linking them to the rising sun and the longer days of springtime. March 21 - Nowruz (Zoroastrian) Another celebration of the equinox, Nowruz (or "new day") is a festival of fire, and modern Iran's biggest holiday. Zoroastrians believe the world was created on this day, but Nowruz is also celebrated in other traditions, including the Baha'i faith and Islam. tag:odeo.com,2009-03-19,24675135 Thu, 19 Mar 2009 10:06:29 -0700 no Interfaith Voices Podcast (hour-long version) Religion & Spirituality, 2009 http://odeo.com/episodes/24335082-A-Lutheran-Trek-Across-the-Holy-Land A Call For Peace This January, bishops from America’s largest Lutheran denomination journeyed to the West Bank to show their support for Palestinian Christians. Bishop Margaret Payne was there, and describes a virtual "Wild West" where roads are blocked, water is diverted, and families are divided by a 30-foot concrete wall. Bishop Margaret Payne, New England synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Losing My Religion Begins at 23 min 50 sec For years, journalist William Lobdell prayed for the religion beat at the LA Times. A devout Christian, he wanted to present a nuanced version of personal faith. But the more he investigated, the more lies he uncovered: pedophile pastors, ostracized ex-Mormons and bishops who hid the crimes of child molesters. Now a reluctant atheist, Lobdell explains how he learned to embrace a life without God. William Lobdell, author of Losing My Religion: How I Lost My Faith Reporting on Religion in America – and Found Unexpe... A Call For Peace This January, bishops from America’s largest Lutheran denomination journeyed to the West Bank to show their support for Palestinian Christians. Bishop Margaret Payne was there, and describes a virtual "Wild West" where roads are blocked, water is diverted, and families are divided by a 30-foot concrete wall. Bishop Margaret Payne, New England synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Losing My Religion Begins at 23 min 50 sec For years, journalist William Lobdell prayed for the religion beat at the LA Times. A devout Christian, he wanted to present a nuanced version of personal faith. But the more he investigated, the more lies he uncovered: pedophile pastors, ostracized ex-Mormons and bishops who hid the crimes of child molesters. Now a reluctant atheist, Lobdell explains how he learned to embrace a life without God. William Lobdell, author of Losing My Religion: How I Lost My Faith Reporting on Religion in America – and Found Unexpected Peace Commentary: Excommunicating the Victims Begins at 48 min 3 sec Mary Hunt offers her take on the case of a 9-year-old Brazilian girl who became pregnant with twins after being raped by her stepfather.  In her 15th week of pregnancy at only 80 pounds, she had an abortion to save her life. But because the local Archbishop declared abortion the “more serious” crime, her mother and doctor were excommunicated--and the stepfather was not. Mary Hunt, co-director of the Women’s Alliance for Theology, Ethics and Ritual This commentary originally appeared in Religion Dispatches This Week's Interfaith Calendar March 21 - Ostara (Pagan) On the vernal equinox, Wiccans and Neopagans honor the goddess Eostre. "Ostara," "Eostre" and "Easter" all share a common origin in the ancient Germanic word for "east," linking them to the rising sun and the longer days of springtime. March 21 - Nowruz (Zoroastrian) Another celebration of the equinox, Nowruz (or "new day") is a festival of fire, and modern Iran's biggest holiday. Zoroastrians believe the world was created on this day, but Nowruz is also celebrated in other traditions, including the Baha'i faith and Islam. A Call For Peace This January, bishops from America’s largest Lutheran denomination journeyed to the West Bank to show their support for Palestinian Christians. Bishop Margaret Payne was there, and describes a virtual "Wild West" where roads are blocked, water is diverted, and families are divided by a 30-foot concrete wall. Bishop Margaret Payne, New England synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Losing My Religion Begins at 23 min 50 sec For years, journalist William Lobdell prayed for the religion beat at the LA Times. A devout Christian, he wanted to present a nuanced version of personal faith. But the more he investigated, the more lies he uncovered: pedophile pastors, ostracized ex-Mormons and bishops who hid the crimes of child molesters. Now a reluctant atheist, Lobdell explains how he learned to embrace a life without God. William Lobdell, author of Losing My Religion: How I Lost My Faith Reporting on Religion in America – and Found Unexpected Peace Commentary: Excommunicating the Victims Begins at 48 min 3 sec Mary Hunt offers her take on the case of a 9-year-old Brazilian girl who became pregnant with twins after being raped by her stepfather.  In her 15th week of pregnancy at only 80 pounds, she had an abortion to save her life. But because the local Archbishop declared abortion the “more serious” crime, her mother and doctor were excommunicated--and the stepfather was not. Mary Hunt, co-director of the Women’s Alliance for Theology, Ethics and Ritual This commentary originally appeared in Religion Dispatches This Week's Interfaith Calendar March 21 - Ostara (Pagan) On the vernal equinox, Wiccans and Neopagans honor the goddess Eostre. "Ostara," "Eostre" and "Easter" all share a common origin in the ancient Germanic word for "east," linking them to the rising sun and the longer days of springtime. March 21 - Nowruz (Zoroastrian) Another celebration of the equinox, Nowruz (or "new day") is a festival of fire, and modern Iran's biggest holiday. Zoroastrians believe the world was created on this day, but Nowruz is also celebrated in other traditions, including the Baha'i faith and Islam. tag:odeo.com,2009-03-19,24335082 Thu, 19 Mar 2009 10:06:29 -0700 no Interfaith Voices Podcast (hour-long version) Religion & Spirituality, 2009 http://odeo.com/episodes/24298253-A-Jew-and-a-Christian-Making-Loans-and-Saving-Homes Beating Predatory Lenders at Their Own Game When it comes to confronting bankers that make bad loans to poor folks, Rev. Graylan Hagler and Bruce Marks like to “make it personal." They crash press conferences.  They turn up at analysts' meetings.  They knock on CEOs' doors on Saturday nights. The United Church of Christ pastor and secular Jew are the rabble-rousers behind the Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America, or NACA, which has helped tens of thousands of people re-finance their mortgages. This week, they sit down with Interfaith Voices to reflect on their battles with lenders and their shared belief in social justice. Bruce Marks, CEO of NACA Rev. Graylan Hagler, development director of NACA and pastor of Plymouth Congregational Church in Washington, DC Father Damien, the 'Leper Priest' Begins at 22 min 30 sec This October, the Vatican will canonize Father Damien De Veuster, a kindly Belgian priest with a most unwanted flock.   From 1866... Beating Predatory Lenders at Their Own Game When it comes to confronting bankers that make bad loans to poor folks, Rev. Graylan Hagler and Bruce Marks like to “make it personal." They crash press conferences.  They turn up at analysts' meetings.  They knock on CEOs' doors on Saturday nights. The United Church of Christ pastor and secular Jew are the rabble-rousers behind the Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America, or NACA, which has helped tens of thousands of people re-finance their mortgages. This week, they sit down with Interfaith Voices to reflect on their battles with lenders and their shared belief in social justice. Bruce Marks, CEO of NACA Rev. Graylan Hagler, development director of NACA and pastor of Plymouth Congregational Church in Washington, DC Father Damien, the 'Leper Priest' Begins at 22 min 30 sec This October, the Vatican will canonize Father Damien De Veuster, a kindly Belgian priest with a most unwanted flock.   From 1866 until his death, Fr. Damien offered hope to people living with leprosy who had been exiled by the government to a remote Hawaiian island. He ultimately contracted leprosy and died of the disease at age 49. Fr. Lane Akiona, pastor of St. Augustine Roman Catholic Church in Honolulu, Hawaii Truckin' For Jesus Begins at 33 min 45 sec You might think the men and women who drive America's cross country trucks are gritty, rough and independent.  Long hours behind an 18-wheeler, however, can make for a lonely life. Matt Largey reports on a truck stop ministry along the dusty highways of Maine that offers spiritual solace to America's hardest-working drivers. Produced by Matt Largey for the Salt Institute for Documentary Studies Karma Trippers and Bookstore Buddhists Begins at 41 min Put away your meditation pillows…and your checkbooks. Kobai Scott Whitney critiques the way Americans want to put Enlightenment on their credit cards. Kobai Scott Whitney, Buddhist prison chaplain, teacher at Plum Mountain Refuge Meditation Center  This Week's Interfaith Calendar March 15 - Guan Yin Day (Buddhism) Guan Yin is considered by many Buddhists in East Asia to be the female form of Avelokiteshvara, the Buddha of compassion. Her birthday is celebrated on the 19th day of the 2nd month of the Chinese lunar calendar. March 17 - St. Patrick's Day (Christianity) Marking the death of Ireland's patron saint in the 5th century, this holiday is now as much a cultural celebration of Irish heritage as it is an observance of the man who Christianized the emerald isle. Beating Predatory Lenders at Their Own Game When it comes to confronting bankers that make bad loans to poor folks, Rev. Graylan Hagler and Bruce Marks like to “make it personal." They crash press conferences.  They turn up at analysts' meetings.  They knock on CEOs' doors on Saturday nights. The United Church of Christ pastor and secular Jew are the rabble-rousers behind the Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America, or NACA, which has helped tens of thousands of people re-finance their mortgages. This week, they sit down with Interfaith Voices to reflect on their battles with lenders and their shared belief in social justice. Bruce Marks, CEO of NACA Rev. Graylan Hagler, development director of NACA and pastor of Plymouth Congregational Church in Washington, DC Father Damien, the 'Leper Priest' Begins at 22 min 30 sec This October, the Vatican will canonize Father Damien De Veuster, a kindly Belgian priest with a most unwanted flock.   From 1866 until his death, Fr. Damien offered hope to people living with leprosy who had been exiled by the government to a remote Hawaiian island. He ultimately contracted leprosy and died of the disease at age 49. Fr. Lane Akiona, pastor of St. Augustine Roman Catholic Church in Honolulu, Hawaii Truckin' For Jesus Begins at 33 min 45 sec You might think the men and women who drive America's cross country trucks are gritty, rough and independent.  Long hours behind an 18-wheeler, however, can make for a lonely life. Matt Largey reports on a truck stop ministry along the dusty highways of Maine that offers spiritual solace to America's hardest-working drivers. Produced by Matt Largey for the Salt Institute for Documentary Studies Karma Trippers and Bookstore Buddhists Begins at 41 min Put away your meditation pillows…and your checkbooks. Kobai Scott Whitney critiques the way Americans want to put Enlightenment on their credit cards. Kobai Scott Whitney, Buddhist prison chaplain, teacher at Plum Mountain Refuge Meditation Center  This Week's Interfaith Calendar March 15 - Guan Yin Day (Buddhism) Guan Yin is considered by many Buddhists in East Asia to be the female form of Avelokiteshvara, the Buddha of compassion. Her birthday is celebrated on the 19th day of the 2nd month of the Chinese lunar calendar. March 17 - St. Patrick's Day (Christianity) Marking the death of Ireland's patron saint in the 5th century, this holiday is now as much a cultural celebration of Irish heritage as it is an observance of the man who Christianized the emerald isle. tag:odeo.com,2009-03-11,24298253 Wed, 11 Mar 2009 13:58:28 -0700 no Interfaith Voices Podcast (hour-long version) Religion & Spirituality, 2009