Early Lent puts fasting on fast track

The author uses the fact that Easter falls unusually early this year to make a statement about the rich cultural diversity of Los Angeles. The story is about the Christian tradition of Lent. It is also, about one ritual practiced by many different denominations and cultures. The article not only explains the tradition of Lent, where it comes from, and how it is celebrated, but it talks about how the date of Easter is determined and where the word Lent comes from. It also makes a point of mentioning many different denominations as well as quoting people of differently ethnically identified names. Therefore, even though it is about religion, it is also about diversity and finding commonality.

Here are the people who are quoted: Rev. Ken Fong, senior pastor of Evergreen Baptist Church-L.A, Rev. Guillermo Garcia, pastor of St. Gertrude Catholic Church in Bell Gardens, Rev. Mark Nakagawa, senior pastor of the one of the oldest Japanese American churches in California, Rev. Charles G. Robertson Jr., pastor of Wilshire Presbyterian Church (who does not celebrate Lent, by the way), Gailen L. Reevers, pastor of Lincoln Memorial United Church of Christ in the Crenshaw district. (The people who live in Los Angeles would identify the last church as an African American church by virtue of its location in the Crenshaw district).

I liked this story because it says something about so many different things. Not only did it tell me something about the tradition of Lent in Christianity, (which I would not have know about had it not been for my time here at SU) but it also showed me how the sharing of that tradition crosses cultural boundaries in a highly diverse area such as Los Angeles.

Bishop fined in gay discrimination case

This is an example of a power struggle between religion & secular government. The gay-rights issue is only the latest incarnation of it.

Taoist homosexuals turn to the Rabbit God

I found this in my email this morning.

My exposure to Taoism is mostly through the New Age Movement. New Agers tend to be very tolerant towards the LGBT community. However, it never occurred to me to wonder what Taiwanese Taoists think about the matter. This article was a gift!