Why the religious fast for Ramadan, Lent and other holy days

Fasting across religions is practiced for a wide range of reasons that include spiritual purification and self-discipline. Muslims are welcoming the start of Ramadan, a month of fasting, increased worship, heightened charity, good deeds and community. Christians are also fasting during Lent, the 40-day period of penance and prayer ahead of Easter. In Judaism, the holiest day of the Jewish calendar involves a 25-hour fasting period that's coupled with prayers for forgiveness. Fasting is also an important part of Jainism. It is viewed as a way to cleanse one's body, including one's bad karma or actions. In Hinduism, fasting is not an obligation, but a voluntary act of spiritual purification.

Pope washes feet in Holy Thursday rite

Pope Francis has washed and dried the feet of 12 residents of a Rome juvenile prison in a Holy Thursday rite symbolizing humility. Ten male and two female residents each removed a shoe so Francis could bend over, pour water over one bare foot and then dry with a plain white towel. The ritual recalls Jesus' washing the feet of his 12 apostles at their last supper together before he was crucified. Some of the 12 whispered in the pope's ear after they shook and kissed his hand. Earlier, Francis presided over mid-morning Holy Thursday Mass in St. Peter's Basilica. The 86-year-old pope was recently hospitalized for bronchitis.

Indigenous faithful, Christians work to conserve sacred forests

Indigenous faithful and Christians work with environmentalists to conserve India's sacred forests

The northeast Indian state of Meghalaya is home to more than 125 sacred forests. These are tracts of virgin woodlands, which the Indigenous people believe are the abodes of their gods. Many of these forests are hallowed grounds where it is taboo to even pluck a leaf. The pantheistic local religious practices have waned with the advent of Christianity. The state is 75% Christian in a country that is majority Hindu. But environmentalists and some government programs are helping generate fresh enthusiasm for preserving these forests, which are water sources and treasure troves of biodiversity. Indigenous communities still perform rituals and animal sacrifices in or near these forests.

Awe and dread: How religions have responded to solar eclipses

Throughout history, solar eclipses have had profound impact on adherents of various religions around the world. They were viewed as messages from God or spiritual forces, inducing emotions ranging from dread to wonder. Ahead of the total solar eclipse that will cross over North America on Monday, it's an appropriate time to take stock of these traditions and beliefs. Some Christians have believed that an eclipse portends the coming of the "end times" that will precede Christ's return to Earth. The Talmud – the collection of writings that constitute Jewish religious law – offers specific blessings for many natural phenomena, but not for eclipses. Instead, it depicts an eclipse as "a bad omen for the whole world."

Pilgrimage increasingly draws the spiritual but not religious

In 2023, nearly half a million people walked the Camino de Santiago in Spain. About 40% did so for purely religious reasons. While it's traditionally a Catholic pilgrimage, people today embark on the Camino for many motivations beyond religion: health, grief, transition, adventure. "Spiritual but not religious" pilgrims in particular have increased over the past two decades. While some call them "tourist-pilgrims," guide Rachael Sanborn resists the idea that non-Catholic pilgrims are unable to experience what the pilgrimage has to offer. "Everyone I have ever met along the Camino is getting more than they expected," she said. "It's magic."

Local church congregation finds new ways to worship during pandemic

members celebrate Advent with music at home

Members of the church are singing "This Little Light" at home, and singing "Silent Night" Christmas Eve.

Celebrating summer's solstice

By DEVIN WEEKS

No headline

Gerri Harvill and Stan Norman are at it again! This team of retired Methodist pastors has sponsored and hosted Sandpoint Lifetree Café for five years, partnered with Gonzaga University to bring Taize-style worship to Sandpoint, and co-sponsored a highly controversial public forum on refugees with the Bonner County Human Rights Task Force. Now they have written a book that challenges the Christian church to return to its roots as a movement of Jesus-followers.

Jurors take up ritualized abuse case

SANDPOINT — Jurors began taking up the case Tuesday of Priest River man accused of using his religious beliefs to engage in ritualized, physical and sexual abuse with his former wife and children.

Pope celebrates Holy Thursday at Rome prison

Pope Francis has washed and kissed the feet of 12 women inmates at a Rome prison. The 87-year-old Francis performed the Holy Thursday ritual from his wheelchair. The Rebibbia prison venue was outfitted to accommodate his needs: The women sat on stools on a raised-up platform, enabling the pope to move down the line with ease from his wheelchair without having to strain himself. Many of the women wept as Francis performed the gesture, which is a hallmark of every Holy Week and recalls the foot-washing Jesus performed on his 12 apostles at their last supper together before he was crucified.

New year means it's time for total body cleanse

Many people take the start of the New Year as an opportunity to do a total body cleanse. Detoxing may sound like a daunting challenge to some, but it is a simple process. The idea around a yearly body cleanse is to detoxify the body and promote increased energy, prepare for weight loss or just give your liver and digestive tract a good cleaning.

Ritualized abuse case resuming

SANDPOINT — Criminal proceedings are resuming against a Bonner County man accused of ritualized and sexual abuse.

Spiritual journey is a transformation

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Romans 12:2.

Jesus is the one, the only, 'Solo Savior'

We’ve just begun a new series in our church entitled, “Believe.” It consists of 10 weeks of looking at core beliefs of the Christian faith, 10 weeks of looking at how we act on — or put into practice — those beliefs, and 10 weeks of looking at the fruit or result of those acts and practices. In essence, it can be summarized as “Believing, Behaving, and Becoming Like Jesus.” As I am writing this article, I am also preparing to present the third core belief, “Salvation,” on Sunday. According to the Bible, salvation (or the forgiveness and cleansing of our sinfulness) is only possible through acceptance of the saving work that Jesus did for us through His death on the cross, and His resurrection from the tomb.

Most Greenlanders identify as Inuit, Lutheran

Most Greenlanders are proudly Inuit. And most are Lutheran. About 90% of the 57,000 Greenlanders identity as Inuit and the vast majority of them belong to the Lutheran Church today. That is more than 300 years after a Danish missionary brought that branch of Christianity to the world's largest island. Greenland is huge — about three times the size of Texas and most of it is covered in ice. But parishes are still located across many settlements in the icy land and people endure the frigid Arctic climate to fill up church pews on Sundays.

Donald Arthur Yaw, 72

Donald A. Yaw, 72 of Silverdale, Wash., died peacefully at home on Saturday, September 29, 2018. He was born in Spokane, Wash., to Raymond A. and Dorothy V. (Bowen) Yaw. He grew up in Sandpoint, Idaho, and graduated from Sandpoint High School in 1964. Shortly after graduation he moved to Bremerton, Wash., where he served an apprenticeship at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. He graduated with honors with the apprentice class of 1968.

Abuse suspect seeks name change

SANDPOINT — A Priest River man awaiting trial on ritualized and sexual abuse charges is petitioning to have his named changed.

The true gospel of grace alone

I just finished preaching through the book of Galatians.

Judge rejects name change request

SANDPOINT — A Bonner County Magistrate Court Judge pointedly denied a name-change request sought by a Priest River man convicted of ritualized, sexual and physical abuse of his wife and children.

Ancient church finds modern appeal

Orthodox parish grows near Bonners Ferry

BONNERS FERRY — Take the northern entrance to Pleasant Valley Loop Road and, in less than half a mile, you come upon what appears to be a little country church. Only the sign outside — announcing the presence of the Holy Myrrhbearers Orthodox Christian Church — hints that there is some ancient secret hidden within these walls.