Each year, millions of pilgrims flock to the world’s largest public gathering in Karbala, Iraq – the Arbaeen walk. Traveling entirely by foot, the 80 kilometer trek takes almost three days and commemorates 40 days …
Interfaith Fellows’ Blog Posts
Blog posts written by fellows of the Interfaith Fellows Program.
Why I Am Becoming a Catholic–Pranneil Thankavel
I suppose I’ll write the story of why I am becoming a Catholic. I grew up in a Hindu household and can recall my earliest notions of God. His presence was never a question for …
A Reflection on the Past Academic Year & Encouragement for the Future–Jaden Schultz
Summer has officially ended, and the fall semester is underway. As a new academic year begins, I cannot help but reflect on the past year. The year was full of academic wins, personal successes, and …
Creativity and the Church — Allyson Mills
Before I could read, I enjoyed going to my family’s church every Sunday and staring at the stained glass on the tall, otherwise cream-colored stucco walls. I especially loved the 10:30 service, when the sun …
Letter from an Interfaith Retreat — Jaime Wendt
When I learned that I would have an opportunity to attend an overnight, contemplative retreat as part of this fellowship, I knew immediately that I would jump at that chance. Even though it seemed a …
Science vs. Religion: A Debate That’s Not Worth It — Jaden Schultz
It is a commonly held notion that science is the antithesis of religion. The two are regarded as so inherently contradictory that being religious and simultaneously thinking scientifically is believed to be impossible. Where did …
Religious Belief and Family History: Creating Generational Connections — Sophia Halverson
My identification with my faith has always been tied up with my two grandmothers. Both of them were, and are, devout Catholics. My maternal grandmother died when I was a baby but when my mom …
Reconciling Religion and Science — Walter Camp
“The first gulp from the glass of natural sciences will turn you into an atheist, but at the bottom of the glass God is waiting for you.” Werner Heisenberg, a 1932 Nobel laureate and father …
Place Sense (Part 2) — Param Bhandare
Continuing from where I left off in Part 1 of this post: Growing up, I don’t think I was subject to the same forces as those born and raised in the U.S. My upbringing instilled …
Place Sense (Part 1) — Param Bhandare
I am what is called a third culture kid of sorts, who are by wikipedia’s definition, people raised in a culture other than their parents’ or the culture of their country or nationality, and also …