What do the Iliad, silent films, science fiction and folk music have in common?
COVER STORY—Are you feeling disoriented, anxious and even—as one writer puts it this week—”disenfranchised”? Then this is the story for you! Pour a cup of your favorite beverage, sit back, because Editor David Crumm is inviting you to come along with him for conversations he’s had this month with folks from the fields of ancient Troy to the colorful realm of Ray Bradbury’s imagination.
Then if you like this story, please take a moment to share it with friends on social media or by email. You can use the convenient social-media buttons that are adjacent to the story. Sharing good news, as you will see, is a creative act of hope.
.
And Speaking of Creativity Sparking Hope—
Here are two more writers sharing stories of wonderment and joy
Ruth Everhart on rediscovering giraffes
ONE OF THE BEST EMAILS WE RECEIVED this week was from author, pastor and social-justice activist Ruth Everhart, who is widely respected among journalists covering religious diversity because of her three books and countless articles in publications like Sojourners and Christian Century. Ruth has used her pen and voice, over many years, both in defense of those who have suffered sexual abuse—and in support of women’s empowerment. Her email, this week, explained why she has not been writing much over the past year or so—but also promised that she feels a new creative energy to write about sources of joy in our world. And, now, her first major burst of “joy” is this column on Ruth’s website about her experiences with giraffes. She calls this story simply: Giraffes and Joy.
Bill Tammeus on the wondrous treasures in houses of worship
BILL TAMMEUS, A “DEAN” AMONG RELIGION JOURNALISTS, has been thinking along similar lines over the past month or so, which is illustrated in the kinds of columns he has been publishing in his website. Bill is no stranger to eras of global trauma. One of his most inspiring books is Love, Loss and Endurance, written in the aftermath of the “9/11” attacks. Right now, like a lot of our writers, he is reminding readers of “the basics” we still share—spiritual resources we have near at hand. Here are two of his recent columns that are well worth sharing with others:
What are stained glass windows trying to tell us?
AND: Faith communities remind us we belong together in person
.
…
Holidays & Festivals
Why We Cover These Stories
EDITOR’S NOTE: IN KEEPING WITH OUR COVER STORY THIS WEEK, our ReadTheSpirit community of writers is proud to find ourselves among the “keepers of living memory” about the special religious and cultural observances that shape the lives of billions of men, women and children around the world. Over the past month, the federal government has erased scores of educational resources about these diverse holidays and festivals—removing entire websites, videos, histories and learning resources that once were maintained by federal agencies. And now, that campaign to erase these resources is spreading out toward libraries, schools, public media and health-care networks. In the past, all of these institutions have enjoyed sharing such information with their communities.
That’s why it is so important that our Holidays & Festivals columnist Stephanie Fenton continues her work. We’ve learned over the years that Stephanie’s work is shared through at least some health care institutions’ chaplaincy and HR programs, through some schools and some public media channels. In 2025, our ReadTheSpirit community is well aware that our nearly two decades of work in covering Holidays & Festivals is a unique and vital resource.
If you feel the same, please share Stephanie’s columns with friends, each week, via social media or email.
This week, remember to wish friends: ‘Ramadan Mubarak!’
At sunset on February 28, nearly 2 billion Muslims around the world will begin the annual fasting month of Ramadan. Do you have family, friends, neighbors or co-workers who are Muslim? Are you thinking ahead to this month when they will be abstaining from food and drink throughout the day? Holidays & Festivals columnist Stephanie Fenton has this important and timely overview of Ramadan that you can share with others.
Did you know this is a global season of fasting?
CHRISTIAN FASTING—BY EARLY MARCH, the world’s Christians—East and West—will all be part of the Lenten period that leads toward Easter. That’s traditionally a period that calls for fasting, which is why millions of Americans think of “giving something up for Lent.” However, for Eastern Christians, a much stricter form of fasting still is common. And, this year, because of the movement of various religious calendars—multiple faiths are converging on this practice of giving up food and drink to deepen spiritual reflections. If you care to learn more about the Eastern Christian preparations for fasting, Stephanie Fenton has this story about the “Meatfare” and “Cheesefare” Sundays that help Eastern Christian communities prepare for the stricter fasting that is to come.
BAHA’I FASTING—THEN, AS STEPHANIE reports in this column, Baha’is around the world will begin their fast on February 28.
Maha Shivaratri
AND, HINDUS around the world also have a traditional fast this month—and they may also keep prayerful vigils on the “Great Night of Lord Shiva.”
..
WANT TO SEE ALL OF THE UPCOMING HOLIDAYS & FESTIVALS? It’s easy to find our annual calendar of global observances. Just remember the web address: InterfaithHolidays.com
.
Faith & Film
Curious about the coming Catholic Conclave?
Beyond the movie—we’ve got a more accurate book about this!
Curious about the coming Catholic Conclave? This month, many of our writers and readers have told us that they are closely following the declining health of Pope Francis—and millions around the world are praying for him on a daily basis. In addition to this popular, Oscar-nominated film, we publish a book that’s packed with fascinating information about the past few conclaves. It’s great for individual reading and small-group discussion.
.
Our online magazine has specialized for many years in covering news about religious and cultural diversity as reflected in new books, holidays & festivals and films. In 2024, our long-time film critic Edward McNulty died. In 2025, we will continue to publish important reviews—sometimes by drawing on Ed’s considerable body of work and sometimes by welcoming other writers.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.