By Omar RanaI think it would be fair to say that I am not a believer. I think it is highly unlikely that a divine power created this universe and think it is even less likely that this divine power has any care, or role, in the life of myself or any other organism. I […]
Tag: Culture
Rosh Hashanah: The Head of the Year
Summary: The Jewish New Year celebration 2018 Date: 29th September – 1st October (sunset to sunset) Celebrated by: Jews, the State of Israel Linked Holidays: Yom Kippur, Jewish High Holy Days Rosh Hashanah (in Hebrew, רֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה, meaning ‘the head of the year’) is the Jewish New Year festival that marks the beginning of the […]
September Equinox: Shifting Light
Quick Facts Summary: a celebration of the autumnal equinox in the Northern Hemisphere and the vernal equinox in the Southern Hemisphere 2019 Date: 23rd September (exact timing depends on location) Celebrated by: Numerous cultures worldwide, modern pagans Linked Holidays: March Equinox, Wiccan Wheel of the Year festivals, Harvest Festival Background and Theological Significance The September […]
Ganesh Chaturthi: Beginnings
Quick Facts Summary: A Hindu festival that honours the god Ganesha 2019 Date: 2nd September Celebrated by: Hindus, parts of India (as a National Holiday) Linked Holidays: Anant Chaturdashi, Ganesh Jayanti (Hinduism) Background and Theological Significance Ganesh Chaturthi (in Hindi, गणेश चतुर्थी) also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi, is an important celebration in the Hindu calendar […]
Raksha Bandhan: Brothers and Sisters
Summary: a Hindu festival that celebrates the bond between sisters and brothers 2019 Date: 15th August Celebrated by: Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, the Indian subcontinent. Linked Holidays: Bhai Dooj / Bhai Tika Raksha Bandhan, deriving from the Sanskrit for ‘the bond of protection or care’, is a festival celebrated primarily in the Indian subcontinent that honours […]
Shavuot: Gifts from God
Quick Facts Summary: a Jewish harvest festival that also commemorates the giving of the Torah 2018 Date: 8th – 10th June (sunset to sunset) Celebrated by: Jews Linked Holidays: Pesach / Passover, Sukkot (Judaism), Pentecost (Christianity) Background and Theological Significance Shavuot (in Hebrew, שבועות), literally meaning the Festival of Weeks, is one of the most […]
None or Both: A Church or a Concert Hall?
by Samuel Mellish St. Sepulchre-without-Newgate of Holborn, the supposed ‘National Musicians’ Church’ has closed its doors to “non-religious hiring”, undermining a strong history of hosting and nurturing musical talent. Despite previously welcoming groups such as the London Youth Choir, and housing the ashes of the founder of the Proms, Sir Henry Wood, the Reverend David […]
Christians and Game of Thrones: The Great Debate
by Theo Poward You may or may not be aware that there of this. But, recently there has been a fascinating back and forth on the internet about whether Christians should watch Game of Thrones. As a Christian and a huge fan of Game of Thrones I have enjoyed reading through the blog posts and […]