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The life of a Buddhist warrior monk calls me
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I am not what I do. I am not the articles I write, the assignments I turn in, the sports that I play or the parties I attend. And yet, all of those things are, and I am. Since reading a variety of books on Buddhist lifestyles, most notably “Saltwater Buddha” by Jaimal Yogis…
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Religious acceptance promotes equality in times of global crisis
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The U.S. is made up of millions of people of different ethnicities and backgrounds, but they are all united under a common nationality. In times of heightened worldwide tensions, such as the current war in Iran, many Americans seem to disregard their shared nationality in the name of prejudice. Instead, many attach the actions…
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My tarot cards and crystals replace your god
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Every Sunday, millions of people go to church, praying and asking God for guidance in life. But my Sunday ritual goes quite differently: I place a collection of crystals in a circle and start shuffling a tarot card deck. While they might be more unconventional practices than going to church and praying, my spiritual…
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Navigate religion for yourself, not the people around you
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Since I was born, I’ve been getting up every Sunday to go to church. And every Sunday since my parents were born, they’ve been attending church with their parents. It always felt so normal, a part of my routine and nothing that felt uncustomary. Up until eighth grade, I also attended a private Christian…
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Today’s politics weaponize Christianity
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“Fear Not,” the most repeated command in the Bible, appearing 365 times, is sadly not a reality today. In our current society, Christianity is looked at as something to fear due to its misuse in the political sphere of media. As a Christian, it saddens me to see people feeling discouraged to be a…
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“Heretic” challenges religious control
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The debate between fate and free will is a recurring topic in entertainment that has captivated audiences throughout history. We have seen these quandaries in countless stories, but Scott Beck and Bryan Woods’s film, “Heretic,” takes the concept of belief to a whole new level. “Heretic” takes place in an isolated wooded mountain town…
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Roe v. Wade protects our essential reproductive rights
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The right to a safe and destigmatized abortion is essential. It is not a matter of religious or political values, but rather a personal choice. This right that protects our population is in danger of being overturned, putting babies and adults in danger all around America. Access to safe and legal abortion was made…
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Open Mosque Day welcomes community
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On Oct. 6, the Islamic Center of Conejo Valley held their ninth annual Open Mosque Day, a day to celebrate and explore their faith with guided tours, free exhibits, midday prayers and a brief talk and Q&A. Shadi Ghafari, sophomore, has been attending Open Mosque since first grade. “My mom was the one in…
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Modern Escapism
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Generation Z (born from 1997-2012) may not be facing the struggles that past generations have, but that does not mean that school is any less stressful for these students. According to the American Psychological Association, 45 percent of all teens said they were stressed by school. Data collected from the American Psychological Association for…
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Open Mosque Day opens minds
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Opening their doors for the eighth time since 2010, the Islamic Center of Conejo Valley welcomed over 160 people into their religious buildings on Sunday, Oct. 14, with tours, activities and food, with intentions to clear any misinformation about their religion. “Ask any question, something you have been meaning to ask for a long…