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Thursday, May 5, 2011 is the National Day of Prayer, declared by the President, who is compelled by an act of Congress to do so. Over the years I've written several times about the Day, and my comments reflect my own ambivalence about the occasion and how it is observed.
For many of us, prayer is a natural thing to do, and we often hold the nation and its people in our prayers. Many forms of worship for Christians include prayers for civil authorities and communities as a regular part of their worship.
At the very least, a National Day of Prayer ought to reflect the diversity of religious commitments in this nation. Sadly, over the years its observance has been dominated not just by Christians, but by Christians of a conservative bent who use the day to advance their notion that we live in a "Christian" nation. I have suggested for many years that prayers that are offered by the community ought to include all who are part of that community.
But what about those who do not pray, or who do not pray for governments or politicians? Are they not also part of our community? And do those of us who pray need to be reminded, encouraged, or enabled to pray by the President or Senators or Congresspeople? While I appreciate the need for prayer and the richness of our varied forms, I get troubled when political figures start setting dates and times.
If you want to, take some time to pray on the National Day of Prayer. Or not. But I do hope that those prayers might include thanksgiving for the freedom we enjoy in this nation to pray or not to pray, appreciation for our neighbors and their own expressions of belief or non-belief, and a commitment to defend that religious liberty for all.
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News & Notes, the occasional blog from Interfaith Space with information about events and commentary on interfaith/ multifaith/ interreligious issues, has received a face lift. Check out our new look at the Interfaith Space website: go to www.interfaithspace.org and click on "News & Notes." We invite your comments or responses.
Send your news! Let the community know about events that are open to the public and are either interfaith or offer an opportunity for others to learn about your faith community. Send information to calendar@interfaithspace.org.
[Interreligious Calendar events are taken from the Multifaith Action Society Multifath Calendar 2010 and other sources. See also the Online Interfaith Calendar and the BBC Interfaith Calendar] NOTE: Jewish Holidays begin at sundown the day before. Buddhist holidays are observed on many different days, according to local tradition.
"Interfaith Opportunities" focuses on specifically interfaith events; "Take Action" offers opportunities to take action on issues of concern with people from other religious traditions, and "Meet Your Neighbors" includes events that are sponsored by a specific religious group but which are open to the wider community. Items for the calendar can be sent to calendar@interfaithspace.org
Click on highlighted links below for more information-
Wednesday, May 4, 2011, 4:30 pm, San Jose
County of Santa Clara Holocaust Remembrance Ceremony
Helen Farkas will share stories of the moments of happenstance that led to her survival. Imam Suhaib Webb, a local Imam and one of eight Imams who visited Auschwitz last year, will speak about his experience bearing witness to the horror of the Holocaust.
Sunday May 15, 2011, 2:00 - 5:00 pm, Palo Alto
Explore how to recognize and moderate our own biases and prejudices about religious-based cultural uniqueness in a safe, facilitated environment.
Thursday, May 5, 2011, 10 :00 am - 1 :00 pm, ONLINE
ING Webinar: Addressing Shariah Questions
This ING webinar will address Shariah questions in light of the "shariah creep" fears that are being propagated in the public arena across the country.
Saturday, May 7, 2011, 12:00 noon - 5:30 pm, San Jose
Sunday, May 8, 2011, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm, San Francisco
2011 Global Tzu Chi Celebration:
Buddha Day, Mothers Day & Tzu Chi 45th Anniversary
Enjoy the profound Buddha Bathing ceremonies, along with special activities including an outdoor music festival, family activities, the veggie-and-green expo, and other exhibits presented by Tzu Chi volunteers.
Sunday, May 8, 2011, 11:00 am, Sunnyvale
Buddha Birthday Celebration: Bathing the Buddha Ceremony
We cordially invite you, your family and friends to join our congregation in this blessed occasion and to dedicate the merits to peace and harmony in every part of the world.
Thursdays at 7:30 pm, San Jose
St. Elias Melkite church invites you to the 2010-2011 Faith Enrichment Series on Issues in Christian Unity.
Saturday, May 21, 2011, 11:00 am, San Francisco
6th International Dance and Food Festival
Children from different world cultures will present their dances. Turkish food will be on sale. Sponsored by Pacifica Institute.
Events that address issues of public concern with an alliance of people from different religious traditions.
Thursday, May 18, 11:00 am - 1:00 pm, Los Gatos
People of Faith:
Our Unique Contribution
in Justice Movements-
ICEJ ANNUAL MEETING
The Rev. Alexia Salvatierra will be the featured speaker for the Annual Meeting of the Interfaith Council on Economics and Justice, speaking on: "People of Faith: Our Unique Contribution in Justice Movements."
Friday, May 19,2011, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm, TBA
Faith Rooted Organizing Workshop
Leaders: Rev. Alexia Salvatierra, Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice CLUE-CA and Rev. Rebecca Kuiken, Interfaith Council for Economics and Justice.
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Help us share your good news! If you know of interfaith opportunities that are coming up- please let us know so they can be included on the Interfaith Space Calendar. Send information to calendar@interfaithspace.org.
I have begun writing an occasional blog for Examiner.com, as their San Jose Interfaith Examiner. I'll be posting more extended articles there, and welcome your suggestions for events to publicize, interviews with interfaith leaders, and news about interfaith relationships.