Coronavirus is causing religious communities to rethink ways of expressing their faith. In the spirit of finding innovative ways to continue rituals, the pilgrimage to Lourdes was conducted online.
Priests in Taiwan perform a ritual for the souls of the dead.
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Taiwan’s death rituals come from multiple spiritual sources. A Taiwanese-American scholar explains what changes for those who make their home in the US.
The Say Their Names Cemetery commemorating the lives of black victims of police violence.
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The #SayTheirNames campaign recalls the long struggle by Black Americans to assert their humanity in death, with roots in the fight for slave burials.
Graduates during a drive-through graduation for Faith Lutheran High School at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, May 22, 2020, in Las Vegas.
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High school seniors will miss important anticipated events due to the coronavirus pandemic, but offering resources, alternatives and the confidence that they’re going to be fine is what matters.
Smiling schoolboys reveal their missing teeth.
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During this unsettling time, global leaders have assured children and adults alike that the tooth fairy, free from the risk of infection, is indeed an essential worker.
All families need to establish a new normal.
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A family therapist and childhood development expert encourages parents and others raising kids to focus on the 4 R’s: routines, rules, relationships and rituals.
As workers make matzo for Passover, many families will not be able to get together this year.
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Some of the Passover Seder traditions are occurring through Zoom this year. A historian of the Bible explains how ancient Israelites changed the ways of their worship.
People wear a protective mask as they attend a Hindu ritual, known as Melasti, in Bali, Indonesia, on March 22.
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As the coronavirus spreads and life comes to a standstill, people are coming up with a host of rituals to maintain a sense of order and human connection.
The Plague of Athens.
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Islamic law requires Muslims to ritually clean their body before praying. This guidance has particular relevance at a time when hand-washing is important to contain the spread of the coronavirus.
Ojibwe women conduct a year-long ritual for their girls when they start menstruation.
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Historically, indigenous people celebrated a girl’s transition to womanhood with a year-long ritual. Many such ritual practices were made ‘illegal’ by the US and Canadian governments.
Knocking on wood may be a holdover from the pagan days of Europe, when tree spirits were believed to bring luck.
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The curious history of a ritual meant to ward off bad luck.
The Jewish ritual of bar mitzvah. which marks a 13-year-old young man’s assumption of religious and legal obligations under Jewish law.
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The Jewish coming-of-age ritual of bar mitzvah evolved to its current form during the time of Enlightenment, when Jewish families feared losing their traditions.
A still from the 1946 classic ‘It’s A Wonderful Life.’
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Holiday movies offer us a glimpse into how the world is could be, often in sharp contrast to our lives as they are. In that way, the annual act of viewing them is like a religious ritual.
Voodoo is often seen as a practice involving magic. In Haiti, Voodoo is a religion born out of the struggle of slaves. And today, it is used as a form of healing and protection.
For indigenous peoples, winter solstice has been a time to honor their ancient sun deity. Their rituals reveal a deep understanding of the natural world.
An expert argues our connection with these figures is longstanding. They are embedded in our myths and help us explore deeper questions about being human.