Utah Valley Student Interfaith Association
The purpose of this group is to create a platform for religious discussion for people of different faiths living either in Utah County or across the states.
We have a blog where members of this group and people everywhere can share their views on religious issues of importance to them and their faith and promote understanding of others' religions by facilitating communication across religious barriers.
We also will be providing information on the different religious organizations located in Utah County and inform members of upcoming events which may be taking place in the community.
Utah Valley Ministerial Association
- Home sweet home, even far away from home?
- Looking for a place to belong, out here in the desert?
- Where can I find that? - At Orem and Provo Community Churches UCC
- Do I need to dress up for Sunday Service? - No.
- Are there any requirements to attend Sunday Service? - No.
- Are guests welcome? - Yes.
- To learn more about our church activities log on to our website or call: 801 368 1180.
Israeli Girl, 8, at Center of Tension Over Religious Extremism
By ISABEL KERSHNER
Published: December 27, 2011
BEIT SHEMESH, Israel — The latest battleground in Israel’s struggle over religious extremism covers little more than a square mile of this Jewish city situated between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, and it has the unexpected public face of a blond, bespectacled second-grade girl.
She is Naama Margolese, 8, the daughter of American immigrants who are observant modern Orthodox Jews. An Israeli weekend television program told the story of how Naama had become terrified of walking to her elementary school here after ultra-Orthodox men spit on her, insulted her and called her a prostitute because her modest dress did not adhere exactly to their more rigorous dress code.
Focusing on the Jewish Story of the New Testament
By MARK OPPENHEIMER
Published: November 25, 2011
SAN FRANCISCO — Growing up Jewish in North Dartmouth, Mass., Amy-Jill Levine loved Christianity.
Her neighborhood “was almost entirely Portuguese and Roman Catholic,” Dr. Levine said last Sunday at her book party here during the annual American Academy of Religion conference. “My introduction to Christianity was ethnic Roman Catholicism, and I loved it. I used to practice giving communion to Barbie. Church was like the synagogue: guys in robes speaking languages I didn’t understand. My favorite movie was ‘The Miracle of Our Lady of Fatima.’ ”
Christianity might have stayed just a fascination, but for an unfortunate episode in second grade: “When I was 7 years old, one girl said to me on the school bus, ‘You killed our Lord.’ I couldn’t fathom how this religion that was so beautiful was saying such a dreadful thing.”
Read more at http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/26/us/a-jewish-edition-of-the-new-testament-beliefs.html?ref=religionandbelief
'Islamic' Culture: A Groundless Myth
By SOUREN MELIKIAN
Published: November 4, 2011
LONDON — Political bias often leads to absurd categorization. Even so, few among the arbitrary constructs adopted by the West as a result of 19th-century colonial attitudes can beat the meaningless concept of “Islamic art.”
Read more at http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/05/arts/05iht-rartmelikian05.html?ref=religionandbelief
Eid al Adha
Eid Al Adha: a time for prayer, a time for family
People across the country visited mosques, relatives' houses or the beach yesterday to mark the arrival of Eid Al Adha.
Thousands of worshippers attended prayers at Abu Dhabi's Sheikh Zayed Mosque as early as 5.15am.
Read more at http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/eid-al-adha-a-time-for-prayer-a-time-for-family