Category: Learning
Creating Religious Dialogue in Bangladesh
“Sir, my parents are very interested in your ideas. They want a picture of you.” With this, my student gave me a pair of sunglasses and asked me to pose. For the last three weeks, I have been teac... Read More
In This Season of Lent, I Know One Thing For Sure – I Will Never Be a Nun
I think I was called a long time ago. When I was ten years old, I remember sitting in the car with my childhood friend Susan and her mom before Mass, and out of the blue I blurted, “I am afraid I am... Read More
Introducing Practical Matters
As the managing editors of Practical Matters journal, we are thrilled to forge this partnership with State of Formation and its readership. Practical Matters is a graduate-student run, transdisciplina... Read More
Expanding Notions of Justice
As I shook his hand, I thanked him for his work and was about to say more when he posed a gentle challenge. “I listened with interest to your presentation,” he said, “especially the part about c... Read More
Culture Shock: Crunchy or Creamy?
After two months of India’s lush cacophony, I return to Minnesota in mid-February. It is unseasonably warm: the temperature hovers around freezing. Coming from the tropics, this is unbearably cold. ... Read More
Atheism Is Still “Other”
In “Atheists As “Other”: Moral Boundaries and Cultural Membership in American Society,” Penny Edgell, Joseph Gerteis, and Douglas Hartmann show that “atheists are less likely to be accepted,... Read More
Lent: Following Jesus into the Wilderness
According to a common story found in the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke), Jesus does not go right into his ministry following his baptism. Rather, Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit into the ... Read More
Ashes That Dare Us to Live
“What are you giving up for Lent?” This question will be shared around this week for many Christians as they enter into the Lenten season beginning with Ash Wednesday. People will “give up&#... Read More