Showing posts with label Religious Studies. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Religious Studies. Show all posts
Friday, September 10, 2010
Friday, August 27, 2010
Interfaith Dialog Night - Hinduism
Gillian Renault from the Vedanta Center of Atlanta came to speak to us. She spoke of both her personal journey to Hinduism and answered questions about general conceptions of Hinduism. She spoke of why she chose to follow the path of Vedanta and gave us a history of the philosophy. We had a discussion about the differences and similarities between contemporary and traditional movements within religions and how many of the contemporary movements look to the origin of a particular religion to find the truth in it without, hopefully, resorting to fundamentalism. We also touched on the development of and sustainability of movements within a religion.
Here is a video that gives a quick insight into Vedanta:
Next time, AIF will explore the Punk Islam Movement through a screening and discussion of the movie: Taqwacore.
Until then, peace,
Kelly
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Something to Ponder - New Progressive Books
Religion Dispatches looks at two books that address interfaith, universal religion and Judaism among other things. I believe I see potential book club selections brewing!!
It's Really All About God: Reflections of a Muslim Atheist Jewish Christian
by Samir Selmanovic
Everything Is God: The Radical Path of Nondual Judaism
by Jay Michaelson
Careful, these books might make you really look at your own faith in a different way!
~~~~~
Kelly
American Islamic Fellowship
blog@americanislamicfellowship.com
It's Really All About God: Reflections of a Muslim Atheist Jewish Christian
by Samir Selmanovic
Everything Is God: The Radical Path of Nondual Judaism
by Jay Michaelson
Careful, these books might make you really look at your own faith in a different way!
~~~~~
Kelly
American Islamic Fellowship
blog@americanislamicfellowship.com
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Booklist Top 10 Religion Books for Youth Includes AIF Advisor's Book
Top 10 Religion Books for Youth: 2009
The American Muslim Teenager’s Handbook. By Dilara Hafiz and others. 2009. Atheneum/Ginee Seo, paper, $11.99 (9781416985785). Gr. 7–12.
Casual, colloquial, joking, contemporary, and passionate, this interactive handbook by two Arizona teens and their mom talks about their faith, what it is like to be both proud Americans and proud Muslims, and misunderstandings and stereotypes.
Note: AIF has copies of this book in our library
Other books on the list (for a variety of ages)*:
Blue Flame. By K. M. Grant. 2008. Walker, $16.99 (9780802796943). Gr. 7–10.
This story, with both adventure and romance, is set against thirteenth-century Catholic-Cathar strife. An inquisitor arrives to cleanse the land of heretic Cathars, and the fear he breeds causes horrific betrayals. A nuanced, thought-provoking look at religious conflicts that will resonate today.
Breathless. By Jessica Warman. 2009. Walker, $16.99 (9780802798497). Gr. 9–12.Boarding school comes as welcome relief for 15-year-old Kate, who needs to get away from her dysfunctional family. She begins a tender relationship with Drew, a fellow swimmer and a devout Christian who wants to maintain his virginity.
Evidence of Angels. By Suza Scalora and Francesca Lia Block. Illus. by Suza Scalora. 2009. Harper, $19.99 (9780061243431). Gr. 6–12.
This alluring book is for anyone who thinks angels are real—or hopes they are. The framework story is really a vehicle for Scalora’s catalog of angels, made abstract by lush sunbursts or vivid smudges, as if readers were seeing these heavenly beings through a crystal.
Hush Harbor: Praying in Secret. By Freddi Williams Evans. Illus. by Erin Bennett Banks. 2008. Carolrhoda, $16.95 (9780822579656). K–Gr. 3.
Evans takes a little discussed topic—the faith practices of eighteenth-century slaves—and turns it into a moving narrative. Illustrated with extremely stylized artwork that doesn’t prettify its subjects, this picture book captures some of the fear and horror of slavery, along with slaves’ devotion to prayer and song.
Night of the Moon: A Muslim Holiday Story. By Hena Khan. Illus. by Julie Paschkis. 2008. Chronicle, $16.99 (9780811860628). K–Gr. 2.
The Muslim holiday of Ramadan gets a vibrant, visually exciting treatment here. Told through the eyes of a young Pakistani American girl, the story focuses on the celebratory aspects of the holiday. Jewel-like art has the look of enameled design work.
Puppet. By Eva Wiseman. 2009. Tundra, $17.95 (9780887768286). Gr. 7–12.
When times are tough in a nineteenth-century Hungarian village, the townspeople blame the Jews. Based on actual court records, this searing novel dramatizes virulent anti-Semitism from the viewpoint of a Christian child, building to an electrifying climax.
So Punk Rock (and Other Ways to Disappoint Your Mother). By Micol Ostow. Illus. by David Ostow. 2009. Flux, paper, $9.95 (9780738714714). Gr. 8–12.
Ari, a Jewish day-school student, isn’t a likely candidate to start an indie band. But start one he does, and along the way, he must reconcile his musical ambitions with his religious beliefs. The comic-strip-style illustrations are showstoppers.
Something to Sing About. By C. C. Payne. 2008. Eerdmans, paper, $8.50 (9780802853448). Gr. 4–6.
Ten-year-old Jamie Joe Morgan must fight her fears in this fine, small story that harkens back to books such as Eleanor Estes’ Moffats series. This book, though, has a Christian bent and offers some opportunities to ponder the ways of the Lord.
Thank You, God, for Everything. By August Gold. Illus. by Wendy Anderson Halperin. 2009. Putnam, $16.99 (9780399240492). PreS–Gr. 2.
When a young girl mulls over what she can be thankful for, she sees a world of wonderment and God as her friend. This intriguingly illustrated offering invites readers to find their own answers.
~~~~~
Board of Directors
American Islamic Fellowship
blog@americanislamicfellowhsip.com
*While AIF supports reading all books of all kinds, AIF does not necessarily agree with all points of view related by the books in this book list. AIF does, however, believe reading books with many different points of view encourages critical thinking and a thoughtful approach to held beliefs.
The American Muslim Teenager’s Handbook. By Dilara Hafiz and others. 2009. Atheneum/Ginee Seo, paper, $11.99 (9781416985785). Gr. 7–12.
Casual, colloquial, joking, contemporary, and passionate, this interactive handbook by two Arizona teens and their mom talks about their faith, what it is like to be both proud Americans and proud Muslims, and misunderstandings and stereotypes.
Note: AIF has copies of this book in our library
Other books on the list (for a variety of ages)*:
Blue Flame. By K. M. Grant. 2008. Walker, $16.99 (9780802796943). Gr. 7–10.
This story, with both adventure and romance, is set against thirteenth-century Catholic-Cathar strife. An inquisitor arrives to cleanse the land of heretic Cathars, and the fear he breeds causes horrific betrayals. A nuanced, thought-provoking look at religious conflicts that will resonate today.
Breathless. By Jessica Warman. 2009. Walker, $16.99 (9780802798497). Gr. 9–12.Boarding school comes as welcome relief for 15-year-old Kate, who needs to get away from her dysfunctional family. She begins a tender relationship with Drew, a fellow swimmer and a devout Christian who wants to maintain his virginity.
Evidence of Angels. By Suza Scalora and Francesca Lia Block. Illus. by Suza Scalora. 2009. Harper, $19.99 (9780061243431). Gr. 6–12.
This alluring book is for anyone who thinks angels are real—or hopes they are. The framework story is really a vehicle for Scalora’s catalog of angels, made abstract by lush sunbursts or vivid smudges, as if readers were seeing these heavenly beings through a crystal.
Hush Harbor: Praying in Secret. By Freddi Williams Evans. Illus. by Erin Bennett Banks. 2008. Carolrhoda, $16.95 (9780822579656). K–Gr. 3.
Evans takes a little discussed topic—the faith practices of eighteenth-century slaves—and turns it into a moving narrative. Illustrated with extremely stylized artwork that doesn’t prettify its subjects, this picture book captures some of the fear and horror of slavery, along with slaves’ devotion to prayer and song.
Night of the Moon: A Muslim Holiday Story. By Hena Khan. Illus. by Julie Paschkis. 2008. Chronicle, $16.99 (9780811860628). K–Gr. 2.
The Muslim holiday of Ramadan gets a vibrant, visually exciting treatment here. Told through the eyes of a young Pakistani American girl, the story focuses on the celebratory aspects of the holiday. Jewel-like art has the look of enameled design work.
Puppet. By Eva Wiseman. 2009. Tundra, $17.95 (9780887768286). Gr. 7–12.
When times are tough in a nineteenth-century Hungarian village, the townspeople blame the Jews. Based on actual court records, this searing novel dramatizes virulent anti-Semitism from the viewpoint of a Christian child, building to an electrifying climax.
So Punk Rock (and Other Ways to Disappoint Your Mother). By Micol Ostow. Illus. by David Ostow. 2009. Flux, paper, $9.95 (9780738714714). Gr. 8–12.
Ari, a Jewish day-school student, isn’t a likely candidate to start an indie band. But start one he does, and along the way, he must reconcile his musical ambitions with his religious beliefs. The comic-strip-style illustrations are showstoppers.
Something to Sing About. By C. C. Payne. 2008. Eerdmans, paper, $8.50 (9780802853448). Gr. 4–6.
Ten-year-old Jamie Joe Morgan must fight her fears in this fine, small story that harkens back to books such as Eleanor Estes’ Moffats series. This book, though, has a Christian bent and offers some opportunities to ponder the ways of the Lord.
Thank You, God, for Everything. By August Gold. Illus. by Wendy Anderson Halperin. 2009. Putnam, $16.99 (9780399240492). PreS–Gr. 2.
When a young girl mulls over what she can be thankful for, she sees a world of wonderment and God as her friend. This intriguingly illustrated offering invites readers to find their own answers.
~~~~~
Board of Directors
American Islamic Fellowship
blog@americanislamicfellowhsip.com
*While AIF supports reading all books of all kinds, AIF does not necessarily agree with all points of view related by the books in this book list. AIF does, however, believe reading books with many different points of view encourages critical thinking and a thoughtful approach to held beliefs.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Religion and the Media
Coming off of AIF's discussion of religion and the media are two interesting and related articles.
The first article is from the Wall Street Journal and covers a German professor and Muslim who has made the claim Prophet Mohammed never existed. This statement, sure to create waves in many sectors of the world, should be considered a step in critical analysis of Islam and in exploration and questioning of one's faith.
Professor Hired for Outreach to Muslims Delivers a Jolt - Andrew Higgins
Christianity (and Islam to a degree) has already dealt with this sort of challenge with scholars questioning the historical existence of Jesus.
This is not the first claim of the non-existence of Mohammed, but it is the most recent. Some earlier examples would be Christopher Hitchens in God is Not Great, Klimovich in an article entitled "Did Muhummed Exist?" and Ibn Warraq (citing Klimovich) in his book The Quest for the Historical Muhammed.
Muslims may be quick to dismiss the books mentioned above here, but it is hopeful the very question of the existence of Muhammed will have each Muslim looking into the very core of faith and why Islam instead of reacting in dismissive or other ways. This is a golden opportunity to evaluate and really understand why one believes what one believes.
One should consider such questions as, "what if Muhammed didn't exist?" Would that fact diminish one's faith? Muhammed as a prophet is certainly a foundation of Islam as a religion, but the cornerstone of the Islamic faith is God. Muslims have pondered similar questions, including the non-existence of the Qu'ran, other prophets, etc... One would hope a person would understand the vastness and adaptability of the concept of God in religion...Mohammed is how Muslims received the revelation of Islam, but God would have the capacity to have delivered the message regardless of the constraints of the world. Let's not discount the extreme importance of Mohammed as a messenger...someone who had the capacity to not only receive, but live and spread the message of God...but a Muslim or any person with belief in God should not fall into the philosophical trap of placing one's faith in humanity rather than God.
Mike Ghouse of the World Muslim Congress also cautions Muslims not to fall into the trap of reacting negatively to such news. He has a different spin on the approach and intentions of such challenges, but it is important to consider the consequences of a Muslim's response and how the world is watching.
Should Muslims Play the Game - Mike Ghouse
What do you think?
How would you react considering your faith perspective?
Here are the articles and sites referenced during the discussion meeting:
Religion and the Media
The Media Gets Religion - Fred Barnes
On the Spiritual Perils of Religion Writing - Andrea Unseem
When Religion Meets New Media
And here is a video, winner of the 2007 One Nation, Many Voices Online Film Contest, showcasing some thoughts of Muslims and what they would like to convey to the public about themselves.
A Land Called Paradise - Lena Khan
Think on!
~~~~~~
Kelly
American Islamic Fellowship
blog@americanislamicfellowship.com
The first article is from the Wall Street Journal and covers a German professor and Muslim who has made the claim Prophet Mohammed never existed. This statement, sure to create waves in many sectors of the world, should be considered a step in critical analysis of Islam and in exploration and questioning of one's faith.
Professor Hired for Outreach to Muslims Delivers a Jolt - Andrew Higgins
Christianity (and Islam to a degree) has already dealt with this sort of challenge with scholars questioning the historical existence of Jesus.
This is not the first claim of the non-existence of Mohammed, but it is the most recent. Some earlier examples would be Christopher Hitchens in God is Not Great, Klimovich in an article entitled "Did Muhummed Exist?" and Ibn Warraq (citing Klimovich) in his book The Quest for the Historical Muhammed.
Muslims may be quick to dismiss the books mentioned above here, but it is hopeful the very question of the existence of Muhammed will have each Muslim looking into the very core of faith and why Islam instead of reacting in dismissive or other ways. This is a golden opportunity to evaluate and really understand why one believes what one believes.
One should consider such questions as, "what if Muhammed didn't exist?" Would that fact diminish one's faith? Muhammed as a prophet is certainly a foundation of Islam as a religion, but the cornerstone of the Islamic faith is God. Muslims have pondered similar questions, including the non-existence of the Qu'ran, other prophets, etc... One would hope a person would understand the vastness and adaptability of the concept of God in religion...Mohammed is how Muslims received the revelation of Islam, but God would have the capacity to have delivered the message regardless of the constraints of the world. Let's not discount the extreme importance of Mohammed as a messenger...someone who had the capacity to not only receive, but live and spread the message of God...but a Muslim or any person with belief in God should not fall into the philosophical trap of placing one's faith in humanity rather than God.
Mike Ghouse of the World Muslim Congress also cautions Muslims not to fall into the trap of reacting negatively to such news. He has a different spin on the approach and intentions of such challenges, but it is important to consider the consequences of a Muslim's response and how the world is watching.
Should Muslims Play the Game - Mike Ghouse
What do you think?
How would you react considering your faith perspective?
Here are the articles and sites referenced during the discussion meeting:
Religion and the Media
The Media Gets Religion - Fred Barnes
On the Spiritual Perils of Religion Writing - Andrea Unseem
When Religion Meets New Media
And here is a video, winner of the 2007 One Nation, Many Voices Online Film Contest, showcasing some thoughts of Muslims and what they would like to convey to the public about themselves.
A Land Called Paradise - Lena Khan
Think on!
~~~~~~
Kelly
American Islamic Fellowship
blog@americanislamicfellowship.com
Friday, October 31, 2008
A Witch's Halloween
Here is an article from Starhawk, a Wiccan, and her perspective on Halloween. She discusses both the religious and secular aspects of the holiday.
A Witch's Halloween
~~~~~~
Kelly
American Islamic Fellowship
blog@americanislamicfellowship.com
A Witch's Halloween
~~~~~~
Kelly
American Islamic Fellowship
blog@americanislamicfellowship.com
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Educational Journeys - AIF Online Resources
"Education is the best provision for journey to old age." ~Aristotle
The AIF Education/Library page is now updated with informational links about each of the books in our on-site library, more Quranic and commentary resources and a helpful Wishlist link with proceeds to benefit the AIF and its educational endeavors.
Many of our resource links are multi-lingual to help those who are researching or learning in more than just English.
Visit http://www.americanislamicfellowship.com/education for more information.
~~~~~
Kelly
American Islamic Fellowship
blog@americanislamicfellowship.com
The AIF Education/Library page is now updated with informational links about each of the books in our on-site library, more Quranic and commentary resources and a helpful Wishlist link with proceeds to benefit the AIF and its educational endeavors.
Many of our resource links are multi-lingual to help those who are researching or learning in more than just English.
Visit http://www.americanislamicfellowship.com/education for more information.
~~~~~
Kelly
American Islamic Fellowship
blog@americanislamicfellowship.com
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