http://www.staradvertiser.com/featurespremium/religionpremium/religionstoriespremium RSS Feed for Religion Stories Premium en-us Sat, 19 May 2012 11:30:00 GMT http://www.staradvertiser.com/featurespremium/religionpremium/religionstoriespremium/20120519__Bishop_commits_to_reconciling_faiths.html Episcopal Bishop Steven Charleston, a citizen of the Choctaw Nation of Okla­homa, said he once struggled to reconcile his Christian faith with the culture of his Native American roots — a challenge with which some Native Hawaiians and other indigenous people can identify. http://www.staradvertiser.com/featurespremium/religionpremium/religionstoriespremium/20120512__Isle_priest_calls_for_change_in_attitude_to_ease_turmoil.html During his 33 years of teaching religion, recalled Alfred Bloom, the first question always asked by his students was, "What's going to happen to me after I die?" http://www.staradvertiser.com/featurespremium/religionpremium/religionstoriespremium/20120512_Celebration_marks_founders_birthday_.html The Honpa Hongwanji Hawaii Betsuin will celebrate "Gotan-e," the birthday of Shinran Shonin, founder of the Jodo Shinshu Buddhist sect, with special services May 19 and 20. http://www.staradvertiser.com/featurespremium/religionpremium/religionstoriespremium/20120505_Conference_cultivates_spiritual_harmony.html Faith leaders, Hawaiian cultural teachers and other community leaders are holding a conference and retreat on Oahu this month to discuss what it means to have a just life, foster a spirit of connectedness and live in harmony, organizers say. http://www.staradvertiser.com/featurespremium/religionpremium/religionstoriespremium/20120428__Ching_Ming_rituals_preserve_tradition_unity.html One image stands out in Natalie Mun-Takata's memories of her family's annual Ching Ming pilgrimage to Manoa Chinese Cemetery: her father and uncles carrying a whole roasted pig on a red wooden tray down to her grandmother's grave in the green valley. http://www.staradvertiser.com/featurespremium/religionpremium/religionstoriespremium/20120421_Protest_could_halt_prayer_before_county_meetings.html HUTCHINSON, Kan. » The tradition of ministers offering a Christian prayer before Reno County Commission meetings could come to an end after the commission received a letter from a national organization saying a resident had complained about the practice. http://www.staradvertiser.com/featurespremium/religionpremium/religionstoriespremium/20120414_buddhists_draw_inspiration_from_dalai_lamas_isle_visit.html with the Dalai Lama, he would ask what he and others could do as individuals to make world peace a reality. http://www.staradvertiser.com/featurespremium/religionpremium/religionstoriespremium/20120407__Dalai_Lamas_visit_peace_initiative_will_show_isles_to_the_rest_of_world.html Having a spiritual icon like the Dalai Lama shine a spotlight on a new community peace-building event is like having a rock star in the islands, said Kelvin Taketa, president and CEO of the Hawaii Community Foundation. http://www.staradvertiser.com/featurespremium/religionpremium/religionstoriespremium/20120331_Classical_music_enhances_solemnity_of_Triduum.html Classical music, an integral part of worship at Lutheran Church of Hono­lulu for the past 40 years, will heighten the drama of the last three days of Holy Week that culminate in Christ's resurrection on Easter Sunday. http://www.staradvertiser.com/featurespremium/religionpremium/religionstoriespremium/20120324_Donkey_choirs_to_enliven_Palm_Sunday_celebration.html A beloved custom more than 20 years old at Central Union Church — involving a donkey coming down the main aisle of the sanctuary and a procession of singing children — will be re-enacted once again for Palm Sunday.