one: archives

Heaven 

Heaven . . . we’re in Heaven . . .

In modern times the concept of heaven, like that of angels, has become so secularized and ingrained in the American pop culture lexicon that it is easy to overlook its deep significance to people of faith. Whether we believe it is an attainable, tangible place open to those who live good and moral lives, or that the only Paradise known on earth, the Garden of Eden, will remain forever lost, these beliefs are at the core of both Western religious practice and the way we live our daily lives.

Homosexuality  What do the Torah, Bible, and Qur'an actually say about homosexuality, a topic of general discussion this summer and of deep concern to fundamentalist religious groups? Although the word is never mentioned, all three scriptures have clear strictures against men engaging in sexual acts with other men. Penalties like death and flogging are mentioned. What fascinated us is the way religious law is being reinterpreted and redefined today. As the world becomes smaller and such unions are made public, sexual orientation is now viewed as a civil right and some religious groups are reconciling their texts and their practices with this reality.

Idols 

At a time when the TV program American Idol trounces its competition, when people speak of “worshipping” movie actors and sports stars, we at ONE wanted to take a look at the earlier meanings of the words “idol and “idolatry.” What did the Israelites do when they first heard the commandment, “You shall not make for yourself an idol”? How did they make the transition from offering prayers to carved images to worshipping an entity they could neither see nor feel? The Judaism section of this Dialog brings a sense of urgency to something that happened centuries ago. Though early Christians had little conflict over tangible idols, the worship of metaphoric idols like money and power is a central concern to their faith. And our Islam perspective draws a connection between Abraham’s and Muhammad’s struggles against idol worship and what it almost cost them.

Veils 

We at ONE chose the subject of Veils because the Islamic practice of women wearing head coverings tests the ideal of pluralism so valued in America. We live in a country professing religious freedom, and yet many Americans are uncomfortable with the image of a woman in hijab. Does the Qur’an really mandate women to cover their heads, faces, or entire bodies? And what do the Torah and New Testament say about traditional Jewish and Christian veiling practices?

Women's Work 

Women have always performed valuable work. Their traditional roles as wives and mothers proved instrumental in the development and continuation of new religions: consider Miriam’s care of Moses, Mary and Elizabeth’s miraculous births of Jesus and John the Baptist and Khadija’s support of Muhammad. The scriptures also record a number of women who worked outside the home in both secular and spiritual activities — as rulers, judges, and prophets. Today, women in each religion take on even greater roles to exercise their own spirituality and define the religious experience of others.

Evil Spirits  When we hear of the evil eye or the many uses of salt in warding off bad spirits, we generally don’t know that religious traditions often stand behind such superstitions. In the ancient world, belief in evil spirits was widespread, whether they were thought to be sent directly from God, or worked independently to wreak havoc in people’s lives. In some traditions, evil spirits are absolute, existing in defiance of a person’s faith; in others, they spring from a person’s lack of belief. Read more about evil spirits and demons in the scriptures and how various traditions deal with them.

Taxes & Tithing  Taxes were considered an unavoidable burden in antiquity just as they are today. The scriptures have quite a bit to say about the subject of taxes as well as the related topics of tithing and charity. You may be surprised to learn that the things that were taxed in the ancient Near East are much the same things that are taxed today. Islam approaches the concept of taxes quite differently than Judaism and Christianity, as a requirement to give alms to those less fortunate. Whether money goes to government or the people, taxes have historically been an important part of keeping communities together.

Miracles  Miracles are extraordinary events brought about by divine intervention. As signs and wonders from an omnipotent God, they defy explanation. How could Moses have known that God would part the sea so that the Israelites could escape to freedom? He went on faith. How could Jesus have known that God would save him? He went on faith. How could Muhammad explain why God had chosen an illiterate person to be the voice of Islam? He went on faith. Here we delve into the mystery of miracles in scripture and their awesome impact on humanity.

Dreams & Dreamers  Have you ever dreamed you were flying? Or performing in a play when you hadn’t rehearsed? These common dreams signify ambition and anxiety. We are as captivated by dream interpretation today as people were in ancient times when dreams were viewed as messages from God. Dreams were warnings and predictions about the future, and offered guideposts for making decisions. The interpreters — Joseph, Daniel, Muhammad — were both honored and rewarded for their skills. Join us as we delve into the symbolism and significance of ancient “night visions.”

Capital Punishment  Do ancient laws have any relevance in our modern world? What do the Torah, the New Testament, and the Qur’an say about capital punishment? Which crimes were considered offensive enough to carry the death penalty? Why were courts reluctant to carry out the ultimate punishment? Discover how religious leaders grappled and continue to grapple with a moral dilemma as controversial then as it is today.