THE ROLE OF DIET AND SPIRITUALITY IN THE STUDY OF DANIEL AND REVELATION
What is the true, broad purpose of health reform among Seventh-day Adventists? Is it part of a larger moral and spiritual work Christ intends to affect upon His people by CLEAR DISCERNMENT of prophetic truth rather than just wellness and longevity? Pastor JR Cofer examines this "forgotten" role of Health Reform in discerning, understanding and embracing the prophetic truths of the Holy Scriptures. A True Revival and Reformation Message!!

By: JR Cofer

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THE ROLE OF DIET AND SPIRITUALITY IN THE STUDY OF DANIEL AND REVELATION - Video

Chuck Swindoll/True Spirituality

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Meditation affects political beliefs differently than does religious prayer. Credit: RelaxingMusic via Flickr

(Phys.org) People become more politically liberal immediately after practising a spiritual exercise such as meditation, researchers at the University of Toronto have found.

"There's great overlap between religious beliefs and political orientations," says one of the study authors, Jordan Peterson of U of T's Department of Psychology. "We found that religious individuals tend to be more conservative and spiritual people tend to be more liberal.

"Inducing a spiritual experience through a guided meditation exercise led both liberals and conservatives to endorse more liberal political attitudes."

Lead author Jacob Hirsh of U of T's Rotman School of Management said, "While religiousness is characterized by devotion to a specific tradition, set of principles, or code of conduct, spirituality is associated with the direct experience of self-transcendence and the feeling that we're all connected.

In three studies, the researchers Hirsh, Peterson and Megan Walberg, also from U of T's Department of Psychology, examined their participants' political views in relation to their religiousness and spirituality. In the first study, they asked 590 American participants whether they identified as Democrat or Republican. In the second study, they measured 703 participants' political orientations and support for the major American and Canadian political parties.

The researchers confirmed that religiousness was associated with political conservatism, while spirituality was associated with political liberalism. These associations were in turn due to the common values underlying these orientations: conservatism and religiousness both emphasize the importance of tradition, while liberalism and spirituality both emphasize the importance of equality and social harmony.

In the third study, the researchers recruited 317 participants from the U.S. and asked half to complete a spiritual exercise consisting of a guided meditation video. Those who watched the video were asked to close their eyes and breathe deeply, imagining themselves in a natural setting and feeling connected to the environment. They were then asked about their political orientation and to rate how spiritual they felt. The researchers reported that, compared to those in the control group, participants who meditated felt significantly higher levels of spirituality and expressed more liberal political attitudes, including a reduced support for "tough on crime" policies and a preference for liberal political candidates.

"Spiritual experiences seem to make people feel more of a connection with others," says Hirsh. "The boundaries we normally maintain between ourselves and the world tend to dissolve during spiritual experiences. These feelings of self-transcendence make it easier to recognize that we are all part of the same system, promoting an inclusive and egalitarian mindset."

The researchers hope that these findings can not only advance our understanding of spirituality, but also help future political dialogue.

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How spirituality induces liberal attitudes

Beginning next month, the Saint Marys Center for Spirituality (CFS) will bring three speakers to campus as part of the 2013 Spring Lecture Series, Mind, Body, Spirit: Connected.

CVS director Sr. Kathleen Dolphin, PBVM, Ph. D, said these lectures will illustrate the overall goal of the Center, reminding people how the body, mind and spirit of a person are connected and dependent on one another.

The mind and spirit are intimately connected and mutually enriching to each other in an academic setting, she said. Were in a unique position to engage the Saint Marys community in discussion of the critical issues related to spirituality that are facing students.

The lecture series, sponsored by the Colleges Annual Endowed Lecture Series Fund, kicks off March 5 when Margaret OBrien Steinfels will deliver a talk called Perspectives on the Catholic Intellectual Tradition. Steinfels is the former co-director of the Center for on Religion and Culture at Fordham University.

What we are trying to talk about in this first lecture is the Catholic intellectual tradition, which is very strong throughout history, Sr. Dolphin, PBVM, Ph. D said. Its an acknowledgement of the power of human intellect. Sr. Dolphin said the human mind is a crucial part of a developing spirituality.

Its an emphasis on the mind in that we must think about the issues of the world, and its concerns and the issues in the church, she said. We are constantly thinking about what role the church plays in these issues.

Sr. Dolphin said she admires Steinfels as both an author and a speaker. The two have a history together that came about long before their mutual interests in spirituality and the Catholic tradition.

I went to grade school with Margaret in Chicago, so Im very excited to hear see her speak and talk, she said. I highly respect her. However, Sr. Dolphin said she is also looking forward to the other two lectures in the series. The second speaker visiting campus is Suzette Bremault-Phillips, from the Department of Occupational Therapy at the University of Alberta in Canada.

Bremault-Phillips will speak March 26 in a talk called, Exploring the Body/Spirituality Interface. The talk, according to Sr. Dolphin will focus on the use of spiritual experiences in medicine.

She is exploring how the body and spirit get along with each other, Sr. Dolphin, PBVM, Ph. D said. She is studying the impact spirituality can have on someone who is ill. Shes done research on how people get better and recover if theyve had some sort of spiritual or religious experience.

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Center for Spirituality to hold lecture series

Newswise People become more politically liberal immediately after practising a spiritual exercise such as meditation, researchers at the University of Toronto have found.

"There's great overlap between religious beliefs and political orientations," says one of the study authors, Jordan Peterson of U of T's Department of Psychology. "We found that religious individuals tend to be more conservative and spiritual people tend to be more liberal. Inducing a spiritual experience through a guided meditation exercise led both liberals and conservatives to endorse more liberal political attitudes."

"While religiousness is characterized by devotion to a specific tradition, set of principles, or code of conduct, spirituality is associated with the direct experience of self-transcendence and the feeling that were all connected," says lead author Jacob Hirsh of U of T's Rotman School of Management.

In three studies, the researchers Hirsh, Peterson and Megan Walberg, examined their participants political views in relation to their religiousness and spirituality. In the first study, they asked 590 American participants whether they identified as Democrat or Republican. In the second study, they measured 703 participants' political orientations and support for the major American and Canadian political parties. The researchers confirmed that religiousness was associated with political conservatism, while spirituality was associated with political liberalism. These associations were in turn due to the common values underlying these orientations: conservatism and religiousness both emphasize the importance of tradition, while liberalism and spirituality both emphasize the importance of equality and social harmony.

In the third study, the researchers recruited 317 participants from the U.S. and asked half to complete a spiritual exercise consisting of a guided meditation video. Those who watched the video were asked to close their eyes and breathe deeply, imagining themselves in a natural setting and feeling connected to the environment. They were then asked about their political orientation and to rate how spiritual they felt. The researchers reported that, compared to those in the control group, participants who meditated felt significantly higher levels of spirituality and expressed more liberal political attitudes, including a reduced support for "tough on crime" policies and a preference for liberal political candidates.

"Spiritual experiences seem to make people feel more of a connection with others," says Hirsh. "The boundaries we normally maintain between ourselves and the world tend to dissolve during spiritual experiences. These feelings of self-transcendence make it easier to recognize that we are all part of the same system, promoting an inclusive and egalitarian mindset."

The researchers hope that these findings can not only advance our understanding of spirituality, but also help future political dialogue.

"The conservative part of religious belief has played an important role in holding cultures together and establishing common rules. The spiritual part, on the other hand, helps cultures renew themselves by adapting to changing circumstances," says Peterson. "Both right and left are necessary; it's not that either is correct, it's that the dialogue between them produces the best chance we have at getting the balance right. If people could understand that both sides have an important role to play in society, some of the unnecessary tension might be eliminated."

"Spiritual Liberals and Religious Conservatives" was published in a recent issue of Social Psychological and Personality Science.

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Moments of Spirituality Can Induce Liberal Attitudes

CTVNews.ca Staff Published Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2013 11:43AM EST

A Quebec cardinal says the new leader of the Catholic Church will be chosen based on his spirituality, not through lobbying.

Cardinal Jean-Claude Turcotte made the comments Tuesday ahead of a trip to Rome where he will be part of the conclave that will elect a new pope after Pope Benedict XVIs retirement.

Before the opening (of the conclave), the cardinals have some meetings together, not to organize the election of so and so, he told reporters during a press conference in Montreal. It's very important that you know that someone who will fight to win the job will be excommunicated.

Turcotte said Canadian Cardinal of the Catholic Church Marc Ouellet -- considered to be among the front-runners to succeed Benedict -- will be an important figure during the upcoming conclave.

Ouellet is a very important one because he is very well-known around the world, Turcotte said. He was involved in the nomination of almost all the bishops in the world.

But we dont know whats going to happen, Turcotte added, explaining that there are a number of cardinals who can replace Benedict.

The pope is not a prime minister or a union leader. Hes a spiritual man, Turcotte said. Its very important that he has very good faith and receives the Holy Spirit in his governing of the Church.

Turcotte and Ouellet will be joined by Archbishop of Toronto Thomas Collins as Canadas three representatives who will convene in the Vaticans Sistine Chapel to elect the next pope.

The first conclave meeting isn't expected to take place until Monday, a Vatican spokesperson said today, since the official convocation to cardinals to come to Rome will only go out on Friday.

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New pope will be chosen based on spirituality, says Quebec cardinal

TORONTO, ON People become more politically liberal immediately after practicing a spiritual exercise such as meditation, researchers at the University of Toronto have found.

Theres great overlap between religious beliefs and political orientations, says one of the study authors, Dr. Jordan Peterson of U of Ts Department of Psychology. We found that religious individuals tend to be more conservative and spiritual people tend to be more liberal. Inducing a spiritual experience through a guided meditation exercise led both liberals and conservatives to endorse more liberal political attitudes.

Lead author Dr. Jacob Hirsh of U of Ts Rotman School of Management explains that while religiousness is characterized by devotion to a specific tradition, set of principles, or code of conduct, spirituality is associated with the direct experience of self-transcendence and the feeling that were all connected.

In three studies, the researchers Hirsh, Peterson, and Megan Walberg, examined their participants political views in relation to their religiousness and spirituality. In the first study, they asked 590 American participants whether they identified as Democrat or Republican. In the second study, they measured 703 participants political orientations and support for the major American and Canadian political parties. The researchers confirmed that religiousness was associated with political conservatism, while spirituality was associated with political liberalism. These associations were in turn due to the common values underlying these orientations: conservatism and religiousness both emphasize the importance of tradition, while liberalism and spirituality both emphasize the importance of equality and social harmony.

In the third study, the researchers recruited 317 participants from the U.S. and asked half to complete a spiritual exercise consisting of a guided meditation video. Those who watched the video were asked to close their eyes and breathe deeply, imagining themselves in a natural setting and feeling connected to the environment. They were then asked about their political orientation and to rate how spiritual they felt. The researchers reported that, compared to those in the control group, participants who meditated felt significantly higher levels of spirituality and expressed more liberal political attitudes, including a reduced support for tough on crime policies and a preference for liberal political candidates.

Spiritual experiences seem to make people feel more of a connection with others, says Hirsh. The boundaries we normally maintain between ourselves and the world tend to dissolve during spiritual experiences. These feelings of self-transcendence make it easier to recognize that we are all part of the same system, promoting an inclusive and egalitarian mindset.

The researchers hope that these findings can not only advance our understanding of spirituality, but also help future political dialogue.

The conservative part of religious belief has played an important role in holding cultures together and establishing common rules. The spiritual part, on the other hand, helps cultures renew themselves by adapting to changing circumstances, says Peterson. Both right and left are necessary; its not that either is correct, its that the dialogue between them produces the best chance we have at getting the balance right. If people could understand that both sides have an important role to play in society, some of the unnecessary tension might be eliminated.

Spiritual Liberals and Religious Conservatives was published in the December edition of Social Psychological and Personality Science.

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Moments of spirituality can induce liberal attitudes, U of T researchers say

Feb. 25, 2013 People become more politically liberal immediately after practising a spiritual exercise such as meditation, researchers at the University of Toronto have found.

"There's great overlap between religious beliefs and political orientations," says one of the study authors, Jordan Peterson of U of T's Department of Psychology. "We found that religious individuals tend to be more conservative and spiritual people tend to be more liberal. Inducing a spiritual experience through a guided meditation exercise led both liberals and conservatives to endorse more liberal political attitudes."

"While religiousness is characterized by devotion to a specific tradition, set of principles, or code of conduct, spirituality is associated with the direct experience of self-transcendence and the feeling that we're all connected," says lead author Jacob Hirsh of U of T's Rotman School of Management.

In three studies, the researchers -- Hirsh, Peterson and Megan Walberg, examined their participants' political views in relation to their religiousness and spirituality. In the first study, they asked 590 American participants whether they identified as Democrat or Republican. In the second study, they measured 703 participants' political orientations and support for the major American and Canadian political parties. The researchers confirmed that religiousness was associated with political conservatism, while spirituality was associated with political liberalism. These associations were in turn due to the common values underlying these orientations: conservatism and religiousness both emphasize the importance of tradition, while liberalism and spirituality both emphasize the importance of equality and social harmony.

In the third study, the researchers recruited 317 participants from the U.S. and asked half to complete a spiritual exercise consisting of a guided meditation video. Those who watched the video were asked to close their eyes and breathe deeply, imagining themselves in a natural setting and feeling connected to the environment. They were then asked about their political orientation and to rate how spiritual they felt. The researchers reported that, compared to those in the control group, participants who meditated felt significantly higher levels of spirituality and expressed more liberal political attitudes, including a reduced support for "tough on crime" policies and a preference for liberal political candidates.

"Spiritual experiences seem to make people feel more of a connection with others," says Hirsh. "The boundaries we normally maintain between ourselves and the world tend to dissolve during spiritual experiences. These feelings of self-transcendence make it easier to recognize that we are all part of the same system, promoting an inclusive and egalitarian mindset."

The researchers hope that these findings can not only advance our understanding of spirituality, but also help future political dialogue.

"The conservative part of religious belief has played an important role in holding cultures together and establishing common rules. The spiritual part, on the other hand, helps cultures renew themselves by adapting to changing circumstances," says Peterson. "Both right and left are necessary; it's not that either is correct, it's that the dialogue between them produces the best chance we have at getting the balance right. If people could understand that both sides have an important role to play in society, some of the unnecessary tension might be eliminated."

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Moments of spirituality can induce liberal attitudes, researchers find

Are Spirituality and Spiritualism the same thing?
Are Spirituality and Spiritualism the same thing? Phyllis and Linda explain a bit more of the differences in this weeks episode of Living Consciously Today. Leave a comment and add to the debate, what do you think? Are spirituality and spiritualism the same thing or are different? Find us on facebook: http://www.facebook.com Dont forget to Like the video! and if you love what were doing subscribe to us today for updates whenever we upload a new show. If you have an idea you want the ladies to discuss email it to us: info@spririttalk.co.nz

By: LCTDNZ

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Are Spirituality and Spiritualism the same thing? - Video

Published: Wednesday, February 20, 2013, 9:01p.m. Updated 22 hours ago

People often come to Carole Obley with questions about their careers, relationships and finances.

She can offer them more than advice. Obley, 55, owner of SoulVisions LLC in Murrysville, is a trained medium who says she was born with the ability to channel souls of people who have passed on.

I can hear spirits in my mind, she said. I can feel their personality.

Obley will be featured as guest medium at the monthly Mystical Psychic Fair from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday at the West Mifflin No. 3 Fire Hall, 3722 Rodeo Drive. The event will include psychic readers, Reiki energy healing, massage therapy, spiritual response therapy and more. Cost is $5 at the door. Readings cost extra.

The first fair was held in January and attracted more than 60 people, organizers say.

Obley, who has been practicing her craft for two decades, will deliver messages from loved ones in small group circles of no more than 15 people from 1 to 2:15 p.m. She's the author of several books and has conducted more than 7,000 readings.

Spirituality is exceedingly important to me, as is compassion, she said.

Obley likens her ability to someone showing her a painting covered with a cloth, then revealing the artwork and asking for her first impressions.

I feel this gut reaction, she said. That's how it comes to me.

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Spirituality to flow at psychic fair in West Mifflin

By LENORA LAKE | Tribune correspondent Published: February 19, 2013 Updated: February 19, 2013 - 12:44 PM

Women and girls will have a chance to build self esteem and support their physical, emotional and spiritual health in a workshop on March 2.

"Beyond Survival: Honoring Women's Resilience, Spirituality and Sexual Health" will feature health screenings, speakers, informational booths and snacks.

Organized by a volunteer committee of social service providers and community members, the event is in conjunction with National Women's History Month and National Women and Girls HIV Awareness Day on March 10, said committee chairwoman Grace Terry, founder of Bridge Builder's Center for Grief Education.

Terry is a member of the faith-based Subcommittee for Connect 2 Protect, an organization whose goal is to prevent the transmission of HIV/AIDS to vulnerable girls and women in Central Tampa.

Free HIV testing will be part of the event.

Terry said, "One of the messages is making HIV test routine. There is a lot of stigma about getting the test."

The test will be offered confidentially in a separate room from other health for blood pressure, diabetes and cholesterol.

Rosa McKinzy Cambridge, president of the National Association of Black Nurses Tampa Bay Chapter, said they will encourage everyone in attendance to get tested. "But we aren't going to walk around and ask everyone if they did. We just want to help de-stigmatize it," Cambridge said.

The event, held at the Center for Manifestation, 3102 1/2 E. Lake Ave., is for ages 13 and older.

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Tampa conference helps women celebrate spirituality, health

The scene opened on a grey and misty evening in Simi Valley. As I whipped around the darkened hills, leaving highways and traffic lights far behind, the sun set behind the valley's western wall, and so began Shabbat. I had arrived at the Brandeis-Bardin Institute, one of two campuses of the American Jewish University and the site of a weekend Sexuality and Spirituality Retreat in which I would be participating.

Shabbat hadn't occurred to me until I saw the tiny plastic cups filled with purple liquid on the dinner plates. I was early, having left work around 3 p.m. to avoid the interminable traffic that plagues the 405 after 4 p.m. This allowed me an hour and a half of alone time in the bare but warm cafeteria, soon to be filled with the voices and laughter of about 30 college students excited for a weekend away. I relished the calm moment, as I always do, before an anticipated influx of energy. It gave me the opportunity to meditate on Shabbat, as well, something I seldom do but always enjoy. With no reception for texts or email, there was nothing to do but sit and think on what was about to transpire.

I learned about the Sexuality and Spirituality Retreat a year ago, at that point still in its nascent state. A college senior at the time, I was deeply involved in religious life, a permanent fixture both on the Interfaith Council and in the Office of Religious Life where I worked. The news that our office was teaming up with Hillel and JAGS (the Jewish Alliance for GLBT's & Straights) to run a retreat on two such compelling topics thrilled me. Where do we begin?! Tantra? Ancient fertility festivals? Native American two-spirit people? After the initial high, I settled into more personal reflection. How do I even define my own sexuality? Straight is too confining; bi makes no sense these days; can I just say "sexual"? Spirituality is whole other set of questions, so I often avoid both subjects altogether for fear of being (unlovingly) labeled "hippie," "tree hugger," "witch," or just plain "crazy." Now would be the time, though, to face some of these questions head on.

The bus pulled up around 6 p.m., and a pack of weary but smiling college kids spilled out and hurried to dump packs and sleeping bags in bunkhouses. We convened back in the cafeteria to kick the weekend off with introductions and sacred text sharing and, finally, kiddush and the evening meal. Here was a group of young adults, many from the LGBT community and many from religious backgrounds, who had come together to engage on a topic rarely discussed in the mainstream. How often do religious communities gather to address the joys and struggles of sexual expression? How often, for that matter, do LGBT, activist and sex-positive communities discuss faith and tradition? There is common ground, without a doubt, but it's the obscured and often awkward path to get there that makes us wary.

More and more people are traveling that road, though, with the founding of many LGBT-friendly religious and spiritual organizations, not to mention the painfully slow but steady progression toward marriage equality around the world. (Most recently, on Feb. 12 France's Parliament passed a bill allowing marriage and adoption rights to same-sex couples.) This is our world and our future. What's more, this is our youth, and these are your children. During "cross the line" -- an activity in which facilitators read statements and people stepped forward if the statement pertains to them -- my heart ached to realize how many of my peers have suffered for their beliefs and lifestyles.

"Cross the line if you have ever been discriminated against for your sexual orientation... if you have ever been called 'fag,' 'homo,' or 'dyke'... if you have ever been discriminated against for your spiritual beliefs... if there are aspects of your sexuality or spirituality you feel you can't discuss with your family." As lucky as I have been, coming from a liberal, inclusive background, I found myself crossing that line over and over. It was overwhelming to see how many of us crossed the line that night.

By the end of the weekend, though, something else stood out to me. At that point we had participated in workshops, asked questions, played games, hiked the hills, climbed a ropes course, put on skits, and danced along to a gay Hasidic hip hop artist. Leaving the retreat I was convinced not only of our brokenness and the struggles that lie ahead, but of our resilience and collective power, as well. If religious, spiritual, activist and LGBT organizations, alike, are invested in nurturing a sustainable and fulfilling future, they have only to gain from providing the fodder for common ground.

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Antonia Blumberg: Finding Common Ground Between Sexuality and Spirituality

Spirituality of Peacemaking and Pastoral Care
Spirituality in the World Today: The Influence of Henri JM Nouwen Event Speaker(s): Moderator: Dale Peterson, Associate Dean of Students, Yale Divinity School Writing About Peace: Impressions from a Reading of Henri Nouwen #39;s Archives Gabrielle Earnshaw, Curator and Archivist, The Henri JM Nouwen Archives, Kelly Library, University of St. Michael #39;s College, Toronto The Spirituality of Peacemaking Dean Hammer, Clinical Psychologist, United Counseling Services, Bennington, VT, and Plowshares Activist, King of Prussia, PA Prophetic/Pastoral Ministry: A Mobius Strip Alice de V. Perry, Pastoral Counselor, Milford Pastoral Counseling Center and Lecturer in Pastoral Care, Yale Divinity School and Andover Newton Theological School, Newton, MA Recorded: Friday, March 2, 2007 - 1:00pm

By: YaleDivinitySchool

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Spirituality of Peacemaking and Pastoral Care - Video

University students gathered in Mary Wright Admission Center Thursday to discuss technology and its role in spirituality at the fifth "Big Questions" event.

A previously recordedvideowas shown at the beginning of the event to help the group brainstorm discussion topics. The video featured thoughts from other university students about technology and how it relates to spirituality.

Sage Elwell, an assistant professor of religion, was the facilitator of the discussion. Elwell started by challenging students to make the connection between technology and religion and how it affects individual spirituality.

Elwell said he decided to facilitate the conversation because he believes it is important for students to engage in meaningful, educated discussions.

I think that is what the university should be about, asking these big questions and acknowledging that we may not come up with an answer, Elwell said. We probably won't come up with an answer, but ignorance would be the worst possible outcome.

"Big Questions" is a discussion group presented by the John V. Roach Honors College and Student Development Services. The group meets bi-monthly to discuss questions college students are interested in, Pearce Edwards, asenior political science major, said.

We talk about everything from the election to universities, now religion and technology, so it's been a lot of points of conversations, Edwards, who helped create the "Big Questions" discussion events, said.

Edwards said he wanted to create the "Big Questions" event because it gives students the ability to ask yourself things in an environment where it is not pressured toward a certain solution or outcome.

Taylor West, a junior political science major, said he went to the event to engage in the conversation and hear different perspectives.

It helps bring up ideas and questions you dont think about every day, West said. I think a really big part of the college experience is being exposed to new ideas and different topics you wouldnt normally think about.

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"Big Questions" event discusses how technology affects spirituality

WATERBURY, Conn.Classical Chinese dance and traditional culture came alive in Connecticut on Thursday afternoon, as Shen Yun Performing Arts performed at Waterburys Palace Theater.

Carol Edinger, a garden grooming business owner, and her husband Chuck Edinger, a retired Bible teacher, lauded Shen Yunnamely the performances use of color as well as the spirituality found throughout it.

It just flows. The colors and the design the designs that were made as they were dancing had a gracefulness to it, Mrs. Edinger said.

Shen Yun aims to revive traditional Chinese culture through performing arts, music, and other means, the companys website states. Classical Chinese dance, an ancient system that embodies traditional Chinese culture, is the main medium of expression employed by the performers.

Mr. Edinger said Shen Yun has a great deal of spirituality in it, too, referring to many of the legends and stories passed down throughout the Chinese civilization.

The company says that Chinese culture has been deeply influenced by Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism, and the performance depicts the heavens as well as the Yellow Emperor, who is credited with creating Chinese culture.

The spirituality that came through the praise to the creator impressed him, said Mr. Edinger.

Mrs. Edinger said that the show also provided a spiritual connection with the universe.

Wynn and Linda Eberhard attend the matinee Shen Yun Performing Arts performance in Waterbury on Feb. 14. (Stephanie Lam/The Epoch Times)

Wynn and Linda Eberhard, both Mormon missionaries from Colorado similarly praised Shen Yun.

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Shen Yun’s Spirituality Highly Praised

Visiting activist Joshua Moon Johnson presented the lecture Beyond Surviving: A Discussion on Sexuality and Spirituality on Tuesday night at Peeler Art Center.

Johnson discussed the issues presented in his new book Beyond Surviving: From Religious Oppression to Queer Activism, which focuses on Christian college-aged individuals of the LGBT community and their struggles with balancing their sexuality and religious beliefs.

The lecture was open to those of all faiths and affiliations and included an anonymous Q&A at the end in which audience members could text a question to a phone number, without having their identities attached. The lecture was sponsored by LGBT Services, United DePauw, Center for Spiritual Life & AAPI Initiative.

United DePauw Co-President Laila Howard emphasizes the importance of having healthy outlets for LGBT individuals and how college can be an opportune time for students who may be struggling.

With spirituality and sexualitythe intersection of these two are particularly difficult for some people, and for LGBT students it can create an inner turmoil that really needs to be talked about, Howard said.

Johnson, the Director of LGBT Services at the University of California-Santa Barbara, began his lecture by providing information about his own background as a queer Asian-American who grew up in a Christian home. It was not until his mid-twenties that he had his first same-sex relationship. During this time of his life, he struggled with how his sexuality collided with the faith he grew up with.

Junior Maryclare Flores recognizes the value in having LGBT services and organizations like United DePauw and Code Teal on campus. However, she thinks that is it important to have models like Johnson to remind students to not only accept individuals for their sexuality but that accepting them for all aspects of their identity, especially their religious beliefs, is something we should want to achieve, too.

Johnson continued to discuss how many Christian LGBT individuals have felt rejected from their family or their church community because of their sexuality. Such feelings can lead to self-hatred, doubt and depression. Johnson explained that these themes of helplessness are illustrated throughout his book in interviews with LGBT students. Some interviews reflect instances where the individual felt he or she had to lie about his or her beliefs to fit in or felt that his or her relationship with God was strained.

As one Catholic interviewee said about mixing her religion with her sexuality: You cant have a relationship with God or that faith if you are queer.

Suicide is a common theme in the book as well since it can be a theme in LGBT communities.

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Where Sexuality and Spirituality Combine

CALDWELL Faith Quest 2013, an Adult Spirituality Forum, will be held from 7:30 to 9 p.m. on Wednesdays, Feb. 27 through March 20, at St. Aloysius Church, 219 Bloomfield Ave.

Faith Quest began in 2007 as part of the Archdiocese of Newarks New Energies Initiative, in which the four cluster parishes of West Essex St. Aloysius, Caldwell; Notre Dame, North Caldwell; Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament, Roseland; and St. Thomas More, Fairfield collaborated to develop an adult education and information program during the Lenten season.Major topics are Prayer and Spirituality, Understanding Sacred Scripture, and Faith in Practice.

The presenters for Prayer and Spirituality are:

Feb. 27SisterVivien Jennings, Order of Preachers (OP). Former Prioress of the Congregation, president of Caldwell College and holding a doctoratefrom Fordham University, Sister Jennings will present Dominican Spirituality and reflect on the global influence of the Dominican Order history, social justice and unique spirituality); a spirituality that has influenced the Church and the world since the early thirteenth century.

March 6: The Rev. Thomas A. Dente, director , Office of Divine Worship, with advance degrees in Divinity and Liturgical Studies from Immaculate Conception Seminary and Notre Dame University. Author, professor and editor of the Work on Worship newsletter, he will present Vatican II, Fiftieth Anniversary of the Constitution of the Sacred Liturgy. Hear how in some ways this first document revolutionized how Catholics worship while restoring ancient ways of praying. Father Tom will explore some of the notable points of the document.

March 13: Zeni Fox, recipient of the Wisdom and Service Award, St. Johns University, and the Servant Leader Award from the College of St. Elizabeth. Author of New Ecclesial Ministry: Lay Professionals Serving the Church, and with a masters in religious education and doctoratein Theology from Fordham University, will presentFull and Active Participation: Catholic Laity Today. The history of the laity in the church in the last 50 years, since Vatican II, could be told as a summary of developments throughout the church and in the parishes. This evening will provide an opportunity to look back, to assess the present, and to dream the future.

March 20: Father James Manos, pastor of St. Thomas More. Born into the Greek Orthodox Tradition, taught by the Caldwell Dominicans and the Jesuits, he became a Roman Catholic in 1980 and was ordained in1996, serving as parochial vicar in Newark, Union and Ramsey and as prior pastor of St. Vincent de Paul in Bayonne. He will present, The History of the Eucharist in the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Traditions Are They the Same? This presentation will try to sketch the Catholic/Orthodox Tradition of the Eucharist, to describe how we keep the Lords supper in His memory.

Presenters for Understanding Sacred Scripture are:

Feb. 27: Dr. Catherine Martin, professor of Theology, College of St. Elizabeth. She is author of A Conspiracy to Create Joy: Circus Spirituality Beyond the Center Ring; is parishioner and catechist in Notre Dame Parish and has 21 years of ministry in religious formation in St. Raphael, Livingston. She will present, How Did the Bible Come to Be the Bible? How did the ancient sacred writings come into being and become part of our Bible? How do the Jewish Scriptures and New Testament connect to one another?

March 6: Mary Bertani, pastoral minister, licensed therapist, experienced presenter on adult spirituality and formation, with advance degrees in ministry and therapy from Fordham and Seton Hall, will present, Parables: The Most Familiar Part of the Scripture, or Are They? We may discover that for all our familiarity with the parables, we have never really heard or understood them. Jesus told these seemingly simple stories to change his hearers basic assumptions about self, neighbors, the world and God.

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