IN OUR DIFFERENCES: ARE WE FRIENDS OR ENEMIES?
GLOBAL CREATIVITY—The defining question of our era is this: As our global cultural diversity surfaces with all of its sound and color and self expression, will we become friends or enemies?
This week, ReadTheSpirit magazine features stories celebrating some remarkable signs of spiritual creativity. We start with Indian journalist Bhavia Srivastava’s coverage of the world’s largest peaceful gathering—the latest in the cycle of Kumbh Mela festivals.
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THE INTERFAITH OBSERVER—Next, we recommend to readers who care about interfaith cooperation: Please check out the latest issue of the long-running monthly newsletter The Interfaith Observer. In particular, we recommend a profile (prepared by Katherine Marshall of the Berkley Center for Religion, Peace and World Affairs) of the catalytic figure: Bud Heckman. Behind the scenes, Heckman has done more to connect interfaith organizations than anyone else in the U.S.
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RETHINKING ‘JUST WAR’—We also recommend a column by author and long-time peace activist Ken Sehested analyzing the recent Vatican milestone: a global conference on rethinking the traditional “just war” rationale. Ken writes: “What sets this particular conference apart was its urging the world’s largest unified-leadership religious body—within Vatican walls and with the assent of one Vatican agency—to no longer use or teach just war theory.”
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THE LANGUAGE OF OUR HEARTS—Among media colleagues around the world, one of the most common issues arising in 2016 is: language. English is a common mode of communication around our planet—but we rarely pause to ponder the wondrous beauty of the world’s diverse tongues. A clergy delegate to the worldwide United Methodist General Conference, now meeting in Oregon, reflects on this challenge.
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40 YEARS OF DEVELOPMENT—GodSigns columnist Suzy Farbman shares a personal story this week about an event to celebrate 40 years of her family’s collective efforts to develop sites around southeast Michigan.
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TASTE DIVERSITY—Bobbie Lewis, our FeedTheSpirit columnist, invites us all to stroll with her through one of America’s great centers of Arab-American cuisine: Dearborn, Michigan. Bobbie and her husband signed up for a special walking—and tasting—tour of the ever-expanding Dearborn food scene. And, she also shares a delightful recipe for a savory, vegetarian stew.
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HOLIDAYS & MILESTONES
Don’t miss a date! Remember www.InterfaithHolidays.org, our master calendar.
MEMORIAL DAY—Do you know the history of Memorial Day in the U.S.? As our column by Stephanie Fenton points out, the official history keeps evolving with competing claims. We also remind readers not to miss the May 29 national concert; we’ve got a link to the concert website and details of the stars appearing this year.
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FILM, FAITH & CULTURE
LOVE MOVIES? Enjoy all of the free resources from Ed McNulty’s faith-and-film website: www.VisualParables.org
Among Ed’s recent free reviews are …
- FRANCOFONIA—After the amazing Russian Ark, fans of director Alexandr Sokurov watch for his newest films and seek them out. In Francofonia he spins a tale within another museum—and, if you can’t find the film in theaters, it is coming soon to DVD and Blu-ray. (4.5 out of 5 stars).
- PAPA: HEMINGWAY IN CUBA—This fact-based drama about the famous writer’s relationship with a journalist in the 1950s also is worth seeking out. (4 stars)
- ALLEGIANT—This third entry in the Divergent series may be popular with fans, but it’s only worth 3 stars, says Ed.
- SING STREET—Remember Once? Well, John Carney is back with another eccentric tale of Irish music. (4 stars).
- BORN TO BE BLUE—Check out this worthwhile movie about jazz trumpeter Chet Baker. (4 stars).
- ELVIS and NIXON—The film is as strange and funny as the original historical moment. (4 stars)
- THE JUNGLE BOOK—The latest version of Kipling’s classic is a joy for all ages. Ed McNulty gives it 5 out of 5 stars.
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