We had a very good discussion group under the trees in Gabriel Park yesterday for the “Sharing Our Texts” interfaith event. Represented were Islam, Paganism, Judaism, Universalism and Agnosticism/Atheism. It looks like we may be planning an Interfaith Picnic for the spring!
One of the resources I brought to the conversation was an interfaith reading list I’d put together in August 2001 for one of the courses on religious diversity I led in Richmond, Virginia. A request was made to share this online, so in addition to e-mailing the original document, I figured I’d share this here as well.
This is not [...]
In addition to my work as a writer/journalist I am a seminary-trained interfaith minister and religious diversity teacher.
Naturally, I was outraged when I heard about a Florida pastor calling for a “Burn a Qur’an Day” on September 11 of this year. The Dove World Outreach Center plans to host a bonfire on the evening of 9/11 to burn copies of the Qur’an.
In an attempt to counteract prejudice and hatred, I contacted some of the people I know in Portland’s Muslim community about hosting a “Read a Qur’an Day” instead. These friends improved upon the idea by suggesting an interfaith [...]
Below is an essay I wrote at the end of last year — one I’ve not had any luck placing with a magazine or newspaper. Rather than letting in languish in my “pending” file, I’ll share it with you here. Enjoy. 
E-readers — like Amazon’s hot-selling Kindle, Barnes & Noble’s Nook, and the much anticipated iPad from Apple — are a bibliophile’s dream come true: More books in less space, and portable, too! But if you’re striving to reduce material — and digital — possessions, and to practice non-attachment, such devices may present the temptation [...]
The “Golden Rule” — treat others the way you want to be treated — is a common thread which in one form or another weaves itself into many (if not all) religions of the world. Buddhism. Judaism. Christianity. Islam. Wicca. Native American traditions. And the list goes on.
Granted, many of us suck at truly living by and implementing this very basic guidance, as evidenced by everything from tabloid headlines (would you want someone hounding and making up stuff about you?) to international politics and foreign policy.
But there’s another key player here that deserves at least the attempt of respect and [...]
Several days ago, I received a Fruitz watch in the mail from Women’s Health Magazine. I haven’t worn a watch in years, since the band on my kinetic watch broke and since I moved to Oregon and started living on a slightly more relaxed schedule.
But my Fruitz watch is pretty. Very pretty. It also features something called “natural frequency technology,” said to deliver the same health benefits from consuming fruit, but in the form of replicating the Earth’s “chief resonant frequency” to bring the wearer into greater harmony with the planet.
Or something like that. I don’t exactly understand it.
Sure, I [...]
I was at dinner last night with Mike. When our waiter brought us two styrofoam boxes to pack up our leftovers, I could have kicked myself.
“If I’d just remembered to bring some tupperware in my purse….” I groaned.
Mike, of course, spent the rest of the evening telling me that the polar ice caps were going to melt away to nothing because of my neglect.
“We’re all going to die,” he teased me with his sullen expression as he loaded black beans and rice into the styrofoam container. “If only you’d brought tupperware. Global warming is all your fault.”
So instead of kicking [...]
I got to thinking this morning about spiritual anchors — the rituals, practices, icons, symbols and more that help to bring us back to ourselves and our beliefs. These anchors are particularly important in times of crisis and confusion, as they offer reassurance and stability in the midst of chaos. In times of celebration, they are reminders of the paths we have chosen and can even help magnify and focus our joy.
Many people find such anchors in nature, though they may not think of them in spiritual terms. For some, the dry air and harsh beauty of the desert hearken [...]
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"Jennifer is a dream to work with. I've worked with her on myriad assignments and I've always been delighted with her writing. She's creative at coming up with her own ideas as well as excellent at taking direction and suggestions. Her work is crisp, clean and delivered on time and in the correct format and she responds quickly and professionally to any questions. I highly recommend her for any sort of writing project."
Audrey Van Buskirk
Former Editor, The Portland Tribune
Former Editor, The Portland Physician Scribe
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