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My UU church has a women's group - each month one attendee volunteers to host. The host provides some food, comes up with the topic or activity for the group, and kind of "leads" on the night. I am hosting next month's meeting and I have no idea what to do...help? [more inside]
posted by cpatterson at 8:32 AM - 19 answers

Looking for brief, chill, mettabhavana (lovingkindness) meditations. What are your favorites? More inside. [more inside]
posted by Sheydem-tants at 7:18 AM - 2 answers

I enjoy reading philosophy after a “tall glass of water” or two, but more in the vein of Sartre’s “Being and Nothingness” than Kant or Hegel. [more inside]
posted by stoneandstar at 10:36 AM - 30 answers

My best friend is going through some hardship. I'm trying to help her find relatable, inspirational, spiritual books about dealing with depression. Details inside. [more inside]
posted by landunderwave at 5:48 PM - 8 answers

When I visited Tallinn, Estonia, I photographed some of the mosaics on the exterior of the 1901 Alexander Nevsky Orthodox Cathedral. The mosaics depict saints. Next to their images are their names in Cyrillic text that includes letters from the early Cyrillic alphabet. Translating early Cyrillic is beyond my minimal level of expertise in the Russian language. However, I'd like to know who I photographed, so if anyone here is handy with this form of Russian, a translation would be much appreciated. Here is the photo:
posted by A. Davey at 9:44 AM - 4 answers

It's from one of the Greek philosophers or historians I seem to recall. Not only can't I recall the author, I can't recall the exact wording. [more inside]
posted by zenpop at 10:52 AM - 7 answers

Can you recommend a podcast that consists of good recordings of sermons? My girlfriend missed Episcopal services this morning and would like a replacement. [more inside]
posted by pretentious illiterate at 9:15 AM - 5 answers

What are things the exist and don't exist at the same time? [more inside]
posted by TheGoodBlood at 9:25 PM - 47 answers

Help me find a jewish day school for my niece and nephew. [more inside]
posted by fantasticness at 10:08 AM - 9 answers

How to remove the 'original sin' belief? [more inside]
posted by Mesaverdian at 7:06 PM - 19 answers

I’m trying to remember a quotation by a famous artist or composer. He was dying and his friend asked if he was disappointed that his art or music was over and he answered that his work will only be beginning, or something like that.
posted by mcbeitz at 10:33 AM - 0 answers

There has to be, somewhere in history, a primal story where two deities make a bet about turning a mortal immortal. I need that story for a project. [more inside]
posted by achrise at 6:38 PM - 5 answers

Over the last few years, I've noticed a frequent argument, employed in many different areas, that goes "(moderate) believers are the ones most at blame". It's been employed most often against Islam, but also against progressives and by sceptics & atheists against religion. What do you call this rhetorical device? Is there a take-down or analysis of its use? [more inside]
posted by outlier at 7:31 AM - 6 answers

I think I would like to read the Koran. This is a blank spot in my education and knowledge of the world that I would like to fill in. But, I do not have the time, interest, or need for a deep study. [more inside]
posted by Gotanda at 7:43 PM - 4 answers

I grew up with the Passover tradition where an adult hides half the middle matzah during dinner, the children search for it after dessert and give it back in exchange for a reward. This year the youngest child is in college and most of the cousins well into their twenties and thirties. Time to update this tradition - any ideas?
posted by metahawk at 11:33 PM - 10 answers

I want your best encouraging quotations--whatever quotation you try to keep in mind when you are in doubt about yourself, when you are anxious about something, when you are in trouble or worried. If the quotation has helped you get a grip or feel less desperate, I want to see it. That is all. Thank you.
posted by Jenna Brown at 10:54 AM - 86 answers

It was suggested to me by someone I briefly met, but now I can't remember which synagogue it was [more inside]
posted by fantasticness at 1:33 PM - 1 answers

I think that it is often very fruitful to look at the assumptions behind a particular concept or the connotations that are tied to it and examine situations where these don't apply or even break. I'm already aware of the term Conceptual Analysis, but this seems to cover trying to create a definition that is consistent, simple and in line with our intuitions, as opposed to analysing assumptions without necessarily having a definition as the end goal. [more inside]
posted by casebash at 5:23 PM - 14 answers

This book, the title of which escapes me but not you, depicts the author’s experience living with the (I think!) Achuar peoples of the Amazon. The most striking part of his account was the way members of the tribe would share their dreams with one another upon waking. The subject of your dream was meant to inform your activity that day, or you would keep your eyes peeled for that symbol. I gave it away as a gift a few years back and would like to gift it again! Thank you!
posted by stinkfoot at 3:43 PM - 7 answers

What should I write in this card for a child's baptism? [more inside]
posted by Toddles at 3:20 PM - 11 answers