The Faith Column

It is never a simple thing to write about faith and homosexuality from a Christian perspective because there is no one Christian perspective. The acceptance or otherwise of homosexuality as a valid expression of human sexuality differs according to the view of the different denominations and even within those denominations, groups and individuals may hold opposing beliefs. Even when people share a belief on homosexuality, how individuals should be treated ... read more

Approximately two-thirds of all Hindus are Vaishnavas and, like other world religions, Vaishnava sects have recently been called upon to address traditional positions on homosexuality and gender differences. For readers who are unfamiliar with Vaishnavism, the faith is essentially monotheistic; adherents worship a supreme, transcendent God with unlimited names such as Vishnu, Krishna, Rama, Narayana, etc. They follow scriptural texts known as the Vedas and are typically vegetarian. Recent expressions ... read more

Liberal Judaism’s attitude to homosexuality is rooted in its core principles: ethical monotheism, right conduct as it applies to human relations, care for the quality of community and society, and the idea that traditional texts require continual evaluation in the light of either ethical insights or factual knowledge of our own time.

Liberal Judaism – in common with traditional Judaism – affirms the idea of God as both the ... read more

The whole life of a Muslim constitutes of a trial and test by means of which his final destiny is determined. For him, death is the return of the soul to its Creator, God, and the inevitability of death and the Hereafter is never far from his consciousness. This serves to keep all of his life and deeds in perspective as he tries to live in preparedness for what is ... read more

Is death to be welcomed or feared? Is the priority the living or the dead? The Jewish tradition incorporates all these points of view. In some communities the anniversary of death is marked by fasting and in others it is celebrated with a toast 'to eternal life'.

Biblical law is scant. When Abraham comes to mourn Sara and to cry over her (Genesis 23), we are not told if ... read more

Grief is hard work for Christians as it is for everyone. The journey towards first accepting the reality of a loss is as variable in duration as it is for someone of another, or of no, religious faith.

Facing the reality that a loved-one is gone and not going to return is unavoidable. Pressing through beyond numb shock to feel the pain of loss is a task that is ... read more

When Cruse, the bereavement support charity, was founded 50 years ago, the name was taken from an Old Testament story in which Elijah asked a widow to give him some oil from her cruse (vessel). Because she generously shared the little she had, the prophet ensured that her cruse would never run dry. As Cruse Bereavement Care celebrates its golden jubilee, the story is a reminder of the reliance ... read more

In my first posting this week I analysed how religious faith may result in a narrow world view. But, what about secular beliefs in society? Does our penchant for myth extend into other aspects of our social identity as well? I think it does. The vast majority of people believe that they belong to some ethnic group. How does this concept stand up to analysis?

Many nation states promote some ... read more

Discussions between people of faith and non-believers often break down because of tainted perspectives on both sides. The religious frequently dismiss atheists by insisting that such a world view is devoid of meaning and would lead to an immoral and chaotic society. A number of secular authors on the other hand have attacked religion by blaming the evils of history on religious conflict. Both of these positions are simplistic and ... read more

For most people the idea of a scientific analysis of faith will sound like an oxymoron. Indeed for many the mere thought will be abhorrent. But I would suggest that there are a few strands of analysis that offer some interesting insights. Hopefully these insights may even be palatable to the faithful.

First it is fairly evident that religious concepts are structured as myths. By that I do not ... read more

It was cold, and silent in the Aldewarke Primary Mill at Corus Engineering Steels in Rotherham. It is always cold in the mill in winter but usually there are pockets of warmth. On this day it was the silence which struck me. I had never before been able to hear my footsteps on the metal walkways – this is an environment where ear defenders are not just advisable, but essential. ... read more

The basic comfort of the Christian tradition is that God is with us. The pastoral response for those whose lives are being affected by the economic crisis is not that you won’t lose your job, or that the downturn will be short-lived. The guidance is simply a reminder that God is in our midst – that whatever happens, God promises companionship.

From our vantage point in New York City, the ... read more