As the holy text for billions of Christians all over the world, the Bible offers comfort, correction, and counsel on a number of subjects. In many cases, the text refers to God as Father, implying the strength of the connection between the Creator and the creation. Within this context, men are often counseled to be the kind of fathers that mirror the love that God shows to all His children, both in terms of upholding them in adversity, and in correcting them when they are in need of correction. Read the rest

Whether a mom is married or single, she has a tough job. She needs encouragement whenever she starts to feel ineffective and affirmation of her authority when the kids just won’t listen. Read the rest

For people who feel a calling to become a preacher, it is important to understand there are several different ways to go about training for this role, and finding a place where you can occupy a pulpit and deliver the message you feel prompted to deliver. If you feel such a call, it is important that you prepare yourself through training, personal spiritual discipline, and finding a religious organization where you can offer your gift of preaching. Read the rest

When comparing Asian philosophical concepts and religion, there seems at first to be very little difference between Buddhism and Taoism. A closer comparison will demonstrate that there are two distinctly different ways to reach a similar conclusion to the travels of the soul. Read the rest

Parents and educators usually try to interest children in learning about the Bible in one of two ways. For older children, adults assign Bible verses to memorize. For smaller children, however, the lessons contained in Scripture are often remembered longer if they appear within a story. Read the rest

All over the world, people turn to the Holy Bible for instruction, correction, understanding, and comfort. Considered to be scripture for Christians of all stripes, the Bible is a wealth of information on a wide range of subjects. Many people find that specific passages speak to them when they have a particular issue they face. One example is the many ways that the Bible addresses the issue of courage. Read the rest

Learning how to become a Catholic nun is no longer an activity that is widely practiced in smaller communities. Once it meant the only means of survival in an impoverished society. Today it is considered an odd lifestyle that has gone out of fashion decades ago. That being said, devout Catholics consider this calling to be a high one and greatly respect the women who decide to take up vows of poverty, obedience and celibacy in order to serve God first and the church second. Read the rest

To start with, Wicca is not a “devil worshiping” sect nor is it a cult. A cult is defined as having blind and unquestioning faith in one central figure, or deity, whose every supposed commandment is considered to be the one and only truth. Cult followings entail the complete and absolute belief that no other ideology or belief system can lead to any sort of truth. It is extremely difficult to find a Wiccan anywhere who will follow or believe blindly in just anyone. Read the rest

According to Buddhism, the afterlife is determined by the quality of karma one accumulates in life. Karma is defined as volitional action. Buddhists (except for those following the Theravada tradition) believe that after death there is a transitional or intermediate state of existence before the next birth. Read the rest

One of the main precepts of our freedom in this country is the belief that a national government should have its basis in secular law without being influenced by the convictions of any specific religion. To varying degrees this separation of church and state has been effective in preventing government from controlling both the body and spirit of its citizens. There are civilizations both past and present in which a specific religion has been merged with and become the ruling government of entire nations. There can be beneficial points made about this system as well as some very destructive ones. Read the rest