| Reflections for Your Journey |
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Dealing With Fear
Fear is hardwired into our brains as a mechanism
for self-preservation. For example, we might be
driving
down the street and suddenly another car pulls in front
of us. Fear is what activates our bodies and minds to
deal with that threat, so we instinctively swerve out of
the way to avoid a collision.
In this sense, fear can save our lives. This is
healthy
fear?an awareness and respect for what is dangerous in
life.
There is, however, an unhealthy kind of
fear....Unhealthy
fear is fear that controls us and consumes us. These
fears ?blackmail? us, rob us of the joy and abundance of
life that God has intended for us.
Many years ago, one of
my mentors in the counseling field stated that he
believed most of our psychological problems in life were
rooted in fear. I have come to agree with him.
Fear is a
double-edged sword; it can save us, and it can
destroy
us.
How can we preserve the place of healthy fear in our
lives, and protect ourselves from the death-dealing
effects of unhealthy fear?
--from "Dealing with Fear"
by Rod Spencer
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| Understanding Islam |
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Anisa Mehdi
Talks about being Muslim in America
Pre and Post September 11
We were always encouraged to explore our own
spirituality. We were never told: This is what you need
to believe. Simultaneously, we were learning about
Islam.
Religion, Terrorism & Politics
What people are angry about is what human beings have
been angry about forever. ... It?s all politics. It really has
nothing to do with religion.
Women's Rights and Islamic Law
I would also like the stories to be told of what the reality
was for Muslim women in the early days of
Islam. That is very different from what we
see typically in the media today.
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| In the News & On Our Minds |
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I?m Not a Pope, But I Play One on TV
And now, the most popular and important Catholic of the
last half century?Pope John Paul II?is to become the
subject of a CBS television mini-series. He will, in fact,
be played by a Catholic.
It wouldn?t be necessary to have a Catholic play the most
popular pope in recent memory, or perhaps in history,
but it helps. Who has the honor?
by Jon M. Sweeney
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