http://www.staradvertiser.com/features/religion/religionstories RSS Feed for Religion Stories en-us Sat, 22 Dec 2012 11:30:00 GMT http://www.staradvertiser.com/features/religion/religionstories/20121222__Isle_Unitarians_celebrate_return_of_light.html Instead of dreading the darkest days of the year, Neolithic pagans came to realize that the winter months would usher in longer days of sunlight — so vital to their sustenance — and they started celebrating the coming light with traditions still treasured during Christmas today. http://www.staradvertiser.com/features/religion/religionstories/20121117_Egypts_Christians_find_respite_during_pilgrimage.html MAR GIRGIS MONASTERY, Egypt >> There was no mention of churches torched or Christians killed, but the prayer neatly written on a tiny piece of paper and placed atop an icon of St. George in the chapel of a desert monastery left no doubt about the growing fear and despair of Egypt’s Coptic Christians. http://www.staradvertiser.com/features/religion/religionstories/20121110__Lawmakerselect_take_lowkey_approach_to_faith.html Yes, a victory for Mitt Romney on Tuesday would have been the ultimate sign that Americans accept Mormons — that a tradition until recently considered a cult throughout the evangelical world, unable to shake its association with long-discarded polygamous ways, has come to seem pretty normal. http://www.staradvertiser.com/features/religion/religionstories/20121103_Interfaith_Alliance_honors_educator_with_top_award.html Pieper Toyama, head of school at Pacific Buddhist Academy, will receive The Interfaith Alliance Hawai'i's "Flame of Hope Award" at the organization's 10th annual Awards Celebration and Dinner on Nov. 18 at Honpa Hongwanji Hawaii Betsuin. http://www.staradvertiser.com/features/religion/religionstories/20121027_Play_puts_new_saints_acerbic_side_on_display.html The pious, compassionate side of St. Marianne Cope is well known with all the publicity surrounding her newly declared sainthood, but a play to be staged next month reveals her feisty side. http://www.staradvertiser.com/features/religion/religionstories/20120922__Ban_on_Bible_banners_temporarily_barred.html HOUSTON » For three straight weeks, high school football players in a small Southeast Texas town took the field by bolting through large red-and-white banners that hollered the praises of Jesus Christ. http://www.staradvertiser.com/features/religion/religionstories/20120811__US_nuns_group_criticized_by_Vatican_still_open_to_talks.html ST. LOUIS » American nuns described as dissenters in a Vatican report that ordered an overhaul of their group said Friday they will talk with church leaders about potential changes but will not compromise on the sisters' mission. http://www.staradvertiser.com/features/religion/religionstories/20120519__Priests_call_back_to_Kalaupapa_is_fulfilled.html The Rev. Patrick Killilea always imagined he would live here in South Coast until the end of his career. Killilea, affectionately known as Father Pat among his parishioners, has spent the past 13 years in Fairhaven and has only had two assignments outside the area since he was ordained in 1969. http://www.staradvertiser.com/features/religion/religionstories/20120505__Mormons_gird_for_campaign.html Republican Mitt Romney is about to become the first Mormon nominee for U.S. president on a major party ticket. That will give them a chance like no other to explain their tradition to the public. http://www.staradvertiser.com/features/religion/religionstories/20111119_sacred_hearts_consolidation_is_complete.html The Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, which brought the first Catholic missionaries to Hawaii in 1827, formally merged its Hawaii chapter with a mainland contingent this week to expand its resources and invigorate its ministries.