Arts/Media

How ‘The Bachelorette’ showed millions a different side of the Sikh faith - The Washington Post

July 19, 2017
What happens when America’s best-known dating show meets one of its most misunderstood religions? “The Bachelorette” brought Sikhs into the spotlight Monday night. One of the finalists took Bachelorette Rachel Lindsay home to meet his estranged dad, a yogi and convert to the minority faith. People who identify as Sikh make up just a fraction of 1 percent of the population. Source: How ‘The Bachelorette’ showed millions a different side of the... Read more about How ‘The Bachelorette’ showed millions a different side of the Sikh faith - The Washington Post

Exhibit showcases the earliest stirrings of American religious diversity | Religion News Service

July 5, 2017
WASHINGTON (RNS) Enter the “Religion in Early America” exhibit and there are objects you expect to find: Bibles, a hymnal and christening items. But on closer inspection, a broader picture of faith in the Colonial era emerges: a Bible translated into the language of the Wampanoag people, the Torah scroll of the first synagogue in North America and a text written by a slave who wanted to pass on the essentials of his Muslim heritage.  Source: ... Read more about Exhibit showcases the earliest stirrings of American religious diversity | Religion News Service

What do Christian protests about Harry Potter books teach us? | Religion News Service

June 28, 2017
(The Conversation) On Monday (June 26), Harry James Potter — the world’s most famous wizard — will celebrate his 20th birthday. His many fans will likely mark the occasion by rereading a favorite Harry Potter novel or rewatching one of the blockbuster films. Some may even raise a butterbeer toast in Harry’s honor at one of three Harry Potter-themed amusement parks. But not everyone will be celebrating Harry’s big day. In fact, a vocal group of Christians – ... Read more about What do Christian protests about Harry Potter books teach us? | Religion News Service

World’s Top Religious Leaders Issue Rare Joint Appeal - World Religion News

June 21, 2017
World religious leaders have for the first time partnered up in a rare appeal for world peace. The appeal includes messages by 22 leaders, all appealing to the people of the world to make friends with people outside of their faith group. The appeal has been made as part of an initiative by the Elijah Interfaith Institute. Source: World’s Top Religious Leaders Issue Rare Joint Appeal - World Religion News

Rapping for Jesus: Religious hip-hop isn't quite what you think - News - Wicked Local - Boston, MA

June 15, 2017
Across America, a number of artists are putting the beat back in the Beatitudes.

To the average person, the idea of Christian hip-hop registers somewhere between Crocs sandals and minivans on the scale of “super lame things for white people.”

A person who has never listened to the genre might imagine it to be preachy, overly evangelizing and a little corny. As with most things, however, expectation and reality are two different things.

Source: Rapping... Read more about Rapping for Jesus: Religious hip-hop isn't quite what you think - News - Wicked Local - Boston, MA

Video seeks to bring sacred words to masses | Bahá’í World News Service (BWNS)

June 15, 2017
MELBOURNE, Australia — Released last Friday, a new music video features Australian popular singer and performer Nathaniel Willemse singing a prayer by Baha’u’llah. The song, titled “Power Over All Things,” was composed this year in honor of the two hundred year anniversary of the birth of Baha’u’llah, which is being commemorated in October. Inspired by the hopeful vision in the Baha’i writings, the song is one of countless musical expressions unfolding across the planet in this momentous year, ranging from grassroots initiatives to national and... Read more about Video seeks to bring sacred words to masses | Bahá’í World News Service (BWNS)

$125,000 Raised in Denver for Sikh Media Campaign | SikhNet

August 14, 2016
120 Sikhs from all over Denver and Colorado Springs gathered to support an effort to spread awareness about Sikhs and Sikhism in America. They raised $125,000, a substantial amount, to fund National Sikh Campaign's media initiative. Sikhs have faced several incidents of violence and hate in the recent months in America due to a widespread ignorance about the Sikh tradition and because the Sikh turban and beard is confused with Taliban and Isis.

Source: $125,000 Raised in Denver for...

Read more about $125,000 Raised in Denver for Sikh Media Campaign | SikhNet

Spiritual Ensemble to present ‘Jews and Blacks’ concert

June 3, 2016
Lee Pringle is the founder and producer of “Jews & Blacks: Parallels of Our Past,” a narrated concert by the Charleston Spiritual Ensemble, scheduled for 7 p.m. Saturday. After a sold-out performance in February, the ensemble will bring the concert to Piccolo Spoleto Festival.

Source: Post and Courier