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God Hates…. Shrimp?!?
In one of my classes we’ve been examining what the Bible says about various hot button topics including homosexuality, abortion, capital punishment, and the environment. Despite what many people on both sides of these debates say, the Bible doesn’t necessarily speak to many of these issues. Various interpretations and translations over the years have skewed…
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Soaring out of the Spiritual Closet
When I tell people that I study religion there is often one of two assumptions made – either that I am deeply religious or that I am unreservedly anti-religious. These assumptions are inaccurate. So, in honour of my second year of blogging under the Black Chicken moniker, I thought I’d soar out of the spiritual…
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Project Conversion – Book Review
(Note: Project Conversion is available through Amazon.com in either print or Kindle format) If you’re a regular follower of my posts, you’re already well acquainted with my deep concerns about religious/irreligious intolerance. Through my blog posts and academic pursuits, I’ve tried to understand what causes such hatred to exist, and how we can move forward…
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Holy Daze: World Religion Day (January 20th, 2013) – Bahá’í Faith, Interfaith
In 1949, The National Spiritual Assembly (a governing body of the Bahá’í Faith in the United States) proclaimed that every year on the third Sunday of January, the Bahá’í community would observe World Religion Day. Despite this observance being originally founded by the Bahá’í community, it is intended to be celebrated by all the world’s…
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NRMs: Raelism
Many of you may be familiar with the Raelian Movement from when they made news in 2002. A biotechnology company with ties to the Raelians claimed to have cloned the first human baby, a girl named Eve. Obviously, this created some sensational headlines. The Raelian Movement was founded in 1974 by Claude Vorillhon who claimed…
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Holy Daze: Guru Nanak Gurpurab (November 28th, 2012) – Sikhism
Guru Nanak was the first Sikh Guru, and is considered the founder of the religion. Sikhs celebrate the anniversary of the births or martyrdoms of the ten Gurus during remembrance days known as Gurpurabs. The festival celebrating Guru Nanak’s birthday falls on the full moon in the month of Kartik. In preparation for the festivities,…
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Holy Daze: Diwali (November 13th, 2012) – Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism
Diwali, popularly known as the “Festival of Lights” is an important festival in Hinduism, Jainism and Sikhism. All three traditions share this sacred day, however, the significance and meaning of the day differs. I think many of you will also note some striking similarities around the spiritual metaphors between this revered Eastern holiday with one…
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Holy Daze: Samhain (October 31st, 2012) – Wiccan/Neopagan
For many, October 31st marks Halloween, a day for dressing up in scary (and not-so-scary) costumes and going door-to-door trick or treating. For others though, this day is the most sacred day of the year. Wiccans and Neopagans celebrate this day as the New Year and end of the harvest. It is a day when…
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NRMs: Jediism
I’ve wanted to write about this new religion for a while now. Mostly because it was inspired by one of the greatest movie franchises in the history of cinema, but also because I keep company with various geeks, freaks, and assorted fanboys/girls who I thought would appreciate this post. That being said, let’s chat about…
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Holy Daze: Feast of St. Francis of Assisi (October 4th, 2012) – Catholic Christian
St. Francis of Assisi was an Italian Catholic friar and preacher born in the 12th century. Despite being born into wealth, he dedicated his life to living in poverty and prayer. He was known to wander and minister to lepers. St. Francis was also known for his love of animals. He is often depicted surrounded…