Questions in the Religion & Philosophy category.
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August 12
Asking Faith Communities for Homelessness Help When You're Not a Member
I've been homeless for the past six weeks (some details inside). Several people have suggested that I contact local churches/faith communities for help with a place to stay for a while but no one has specifics about how it's done. I'm usually fine on the phone and have contacted all kinds of local resources for help but for some reason this is hugely triggering my anxiety and I can't even bring myself to start. I would really appreciate a script or any other suggestions you have to help me do this. [more inside]
August 11
Looking for a theory about language and perception
I vaguely remember reading a theory about language, storytelling, and writing fundamentally changing the way humans perceive the world, but I have no idea if this is a known and respected theory or just some thing I read on a random blog. Are there any well-known theories like this? [more inside]
August 10
Class in the Church of England
It's my perception that the C of E skews heavily middle/upper class in their average congregation, which seems to be backed up by a number of thinkpieces I've read, but I've had a look and can't find any reliable statistics/studies on this. Can someone point me to some? [more inside]
August 2
Seek quotation about god's surprise for us at death
Many years ago I read a quotation in a book by some woman - possibly a religious book. In it was a quotation from a rabbi that said something like, God provides a wonderful surprise after death--something like that. I have searched all over with all sorts of terms--can't find it. Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel seemed like a potential source but no luck. Wish I had written it down, but I was young and no one I knew was dying at the time. Any leads?
August 1
Making faith your own? Wrestling with evangelical upbringing
Complicated feelings and thoughts and confusion around Christian religion specifically. Mid 20s woman (other factors below fold) who is trying to figure out Christianity and faith after being raised and growing up in it. How exactly do I deal with guilt? How do I make my faith my own and not someone else's while sorting through the exhausting confusion? Personal stories appreciated. [more inside]
July 31
Coping with loss of faith
I have been a practicing [member of X religion] for most of my life, and now I'm not. It's kinda sad, how do I cope? [more inside]
July 30
I had to.
There‘s a famous quote to the effect of ‚actions that are done out of free will are actually the ones where you felt like you didn’t have a choice but to do the thing, you just got up and did it.‘
What is the actual quote? [more inside]
July 5
Where in NYC can I practice Tibetan Buddhism as in Pema Chodron?
I have her books already. I seek community.
July 1
Where do you go to get authentic political discussion?
Where does one go, on the internet or other, to find authentic political discussion? Specifically, philosophical ideological discussion. More principles, power, and morality; and less politicians, party, and policy. [more inside]
June 30
Looking for a description of existence I saw awhile ago
A couple years ago, I saw an imgur gallery of images describing a perspective of overall existence that said we are all one entity experiencing itself through different guises. I'm looking for more information on this but I don't know the best search terms. [more inside]
June 15
Best introduction (book) to Dorothy Day?
What's the best introduction to Dorothy Day's thoughts and work? [more inside]
June 14
Where did I hear this wise little chestnut?
"Not every day can be a hot fudge sundae". Have you ever heard this? I know I didn't make it up. [more inside]
June 12
Are there definitive works of Amish theology/philosophy?
Basically, I want to do a deep dive on Amish philosophy and theology - is there a Thing I Must Read? Is there a(n) Augustine/Calvin/Lewis/Rob Bell of the Amish?
(I'm much more interested in things written _by_ them than _about_ them.)
June 11
Working through daughter's existential crisis
How can I help my daughter work though her philosophical crisis? [more inside]
June 2
Athanasius Kircher's Connections Between Eastern & Western Religion
I'd like to know more about Athanasius Kircher's work connecting eastern and western religions. But Kircher's extraordinary breadth makes it hard to zero in on any one aspect. [more inside]
May 30
Am I going to have to quit my job and grow all my own food?
I'm vegan. I buy my clothes and shoes second hand. I don't have air conditioning. You get the picture. Still, I sometimes feel like I can't get through a day without harming the planet or exploiting people. How do you maintain your ethics in this global capitalist economy? [more inside]
May 22
What does this symbol look like to you?
I got myself this neat pendant, but I'm a little worried someone might look at it and think it means something it doesn't. When you look at it, what do you think it means? Spoilers inside. [more inside]
May 14
Children as the "property" of their parents??
I'm dealing with a situation in which a couple has asserted (as a defense) that children are the property of their parents. This assertion is often made in conflicts of medical ethics, such as Christian Scientists vs medical caregivers. I think that Mennonites and Amish may actually teach that children are their parents' property. Does anyone have more information on this, specifically whether the Jehovah Witness religion teaches this?
Returning to Philosophy
Hi folks. I have always read quite a bit, but once upon a time (in university) was way more on the critical theory/philosophy kick. In the spirit of new beginnings, I have been trying to delve into lots of old pastimes/skills/etc. recently, and I told myself instead of a novel I'd pick up one of my philosophy texts sitting around to get back into the swing of things. [more inside]
May 2
Mother's Day gift for mom returning to Catholicism
My mom has returned to the Catholic church after many years and is very enthusiastic about it. I would like to get her a Mother's Day gift that supports this interest but am pretty lost about what to get. I think that a lot of Jesuit writings resonate with her. She likes religious iconography. Um, and that's all I've got. I'm looking for gift suggestions that go beyond "nice Bible" or "rosary"--something she wouldn't think of herself.