COVER STORY: PHYLLIS TICKLE & ‘AGE OF SPIRIT’
- ‘GOD TOLD ME …’ How often have you heard that from someone on TV or maybe a friend? That idea is a sign of a historic transformation in American religious life, says author and scholar Phyllis Tickle. A longtime friend and adviser to ReadTheSpirit magazine, Phyllis returns to talk with Editor David Crumm, this week, about her own research into these jaw-dropping changes.
- WHY IT MATTERS—This Spirit-driven transformation is reshaping many areas of American religious life. Read Phyllis’s Introduction to Ken Wilson’s A Letter to My Congregation to learn about one of those major changes.
ARE YOU AFRAID OF WAR?
OUR VALUES, the online project created by University of Michigan sociologist Dr. Wayne Baker, is devoting this week—with all of its war-related headlines—to exploring the values shaping our attitudes toward war. (These values also are part of Dr. Baker’s powerful new book, United America.)
- PART 1—Pope Francis calls it ‘Madness,’ but are we already on the verge of another war?
- PART 2—Do you fear becoming a victim of terrorism?
- PART 3—Will the U.S. military have to put “boots on the ground” in the battle with ISIL?
- PART 4—How willing are you to give up civil liberties for more safety and security?
- PART 5—Are we better off if American tries to fight its war by proxy?
INTERFAITH PEACEMAKERS publishes Pope Francis’s moving message about the danger of war as the pope reflects on lessons the world should have learned 100 years ago in World War I.
- WWI CENTENNIAL—Remember World War I’s tragic lessons in image—and in song. (Including an Eric Bogle video.)
- POPE FRANCIS—What we should have learned 100 years ago.
- EDITH CAVELL—A courageous nurse and pacifist whose WWI execution electrified the world.
- ERNST BARLACH—From a gung-ho soldier to a daring anti-war artist.
- EVELYN UNDERHILL—She served in a WWI intelligence unit, then became an outspoken pacifist.
- JEANNETTE RANKIN—Our only member of Congress to vote against both World Wars.
STOP BULLYING WITH A ‘FENCE OF FRIENDS’
- BULLYING IS NO LAUGHING MATTER—This week, we debut a Dennis the Menace cartoon and an inspiring idea about forming a “Fence of Friends.” See what it’s all about in our free activity guide for parents and kids.
- SEE ALL THE COMICS—We’ve now got six anti-bullying activity guides with comics for adults to share with the kids they love.
- GET INVOLVED—Show your support with our free web badge, a colorful image to share with friends on Facebook—or anywhere online.
- A BIG ‘THANK YOU!’ Our whole team at ReadTheSpirit thanks those journalists and other online writers who are spreading the news about Bullying Is No Laughing Matter. This weeek, we say “Thank You!” to Kelly Dickey of the Indiana-based Herald Bulletin. (Let us know if you’re writing something. Email us at [email protected])
FOOD FOR THE SPIRIT
- FEED THE SPIRIT—Get your fall cooking season off to a great start with some savvy tips from Bobbie Lewis about how to “fix” that recipe that’s just too … Well, she calls this column ‘Know When to Hold and When to Fold.’ Enjoy. (With a recipe for Honey-Mustard Green Beans!)
- GODSIGNS—”GodSigns” columnist Suzy Farbman knows that “Relationships Are Complicated” in millions of American families. In a special series, she writes about her own relationship with her father whose religious conversion touched off years of … well, complexity. Part 1 and Part 2 were published earlier. This week, Suzy concludes with an inspiring Part 3.
- ALL THE HOLIDAYS—Visit www.InterfaithHolidays.com for our master list of observances.
- SEPTEMBER THEMES—Stephanie Fenton covers all the month-long themes including Hispanic and Latino heritage, literacy, women’s friendships and yoga, too.
- STAR SPANGLED CENTENNIAL—They’re still celebrating in Baltimore early this week!
FAITH AND FILM
- HUNGER GAMES ANYONE? Jane Wells’s Bird on Fire website debuts the long-awaited Official Trailer for Jennifer Lawrence’s third film in the Hunger Games series. Be the first on your block to see it, thanks to Jane.
- VISUAL PARABLES—Faith-and-film writer Edward McNulty offers more than 1,000 thoughtful film reviews.
- ‘MAY IN THE SUMMER’—Ed urges viewers to seek out this independent film about a family’s cultural struggles, filmed in Jordan.
- REMEMBERING ROBIN WILLIAMS—Ed adds another review of a recommended Robin Williams film: Patch Adams.
- COMING FULL CIRCLE—Considering this week’s headlines about global conflict, Ed urges viewers to reach for Wim Wenders’ moving 2004 film with Michelle Williams, Land of Plenty.
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