Rituals

For some years during the middle of the last century, there was a springtime tradition in La Cañada: Various denominations of local young Christians — those not sprawled out on the sand at Newport or Balboa, enjoying what was then commonly called...

In my first confession in the second grade, I nervously proclaimed my sins so loudly that everyone heard me outside the confessional booth. Let's just say my Catholic experience didn't improve much after that. Most of the rituals seemed boring,...

Songkran, the water festival for the Thai New Year, is planned for April 15 at Wat Buddharangsi. The festival is planned for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the temple, 15200 SW 240th St. Both a religious and folk festival, Songkran is celebrated with food,...

Days after Baltimore found out that a Catholic group was decrying a Fells Point church-themed bar as "blasphemous," a counter group has sprung up to defend Ale Mary's. A Facebook group called "500,000 Supporting Free Speech & Ale Mary's" has just over...

On the eve of Easter, a religious group is coming down hard on the Fells Point bar Ale Mary's. Why? Well, its name for starters. And all of the other things the church-themed bar does for kitsch value. They decorate with photos of nuns. They post their...

You've all heard the phrase, "By their fruits you shall know them." Right? Well, there's a phrase in churches, equally revelatory among preachers, "by their texts you shall know them!" I'm not sure this is revelatory about my writings, but I share one of...

I went to church on CNN Saturday, and it was one of the most powerful, uplifting and spiritual experiences I've had in years. Yes, watching six hours of cable TV coverage of Whitney Houston's funeral was a spiritual experience, and I am not using that...

It was almost the end of August, almost the end of summer. The tourists were all heading home. There was a good chance the national park would close in the next week until the following May. Snow was on its way. Summer's end was near. But for the park...

Christmas is over for another year, and the folks who worked their tails off to create those beautiful services and masses you attended are exhausted. Don't get me wrong, we yearn for a full church and really want you to be there. It would be nice to have...

Whenever a holiday season rolls around questions about religious beliefs and rituals come to the forefront.  For partners of different faiths this can be a source of tension.  When there are children involved, it is essential to be in accordance with...