COVID has forced me to listen to my lonesomeness, especially these past five weeks, instead of drowning it out. It’s been trying to tell me something, to teach me something.

The ethical foundation of Buddhist practice is to benefit others as much as we can and, if we can’t do that, at least to not harm them. Living an ethical life where we refrain from harming others with our body and speech is the first step in practicing our faith in everyday life.

It’s so easy to only embrace a sentimental understanding of Christmas, of “waiting for the baby Jesus” and all that involves. But maturing adults also do well to appreciate the deeper message of Christmas. It comes in the word “incarnation” – God became flesh in the person we call Jesus. First the baby, but definitively the man.

Four boxes of holiday stuff are stored in my closet. My grandma left them to me when she died and even though I don’t open the boxes, I can’t bear the thought of getting rid of them.

The terms equality and equity are used interchangeably in the media, whether a story covers prison reform or gender-based violence. But equity is what governmental systems, nonprofit organizations, and entire corporations should aim for.

Deep-down, what does all that shouting and posturing really matter? What seems to matter to the riverbanks people is their inalienable right to be angry, to be fearful. I thought our inalienable rights were to “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,” not anger and fear.

Four years ago I was working with a group of journalism students covering the election when an editor came out and asked for everyone’s attention. He told us the Associated Press had just called the election for Donald Trump.I watched as the students held back tears. Some went outside or to the bathroom to cry.

With only eight days until Election Day, so much of daily thought and conversation centers on political matters.

When challenges like COVID-19 present themselves, it's a reminder that we should not live in fear of each other, but in support of each other.

Before the pandemic, a friend had been gently nudging me to audition to give a TedX Spokane talk on my experience growing up in a cult.

"Interfaith" has come to mean different things to different people, and it's not always flattering. The community should work to recognize it as a neutral term for increasing understanding of our religious differences. 

When it comes to the hot and hostile topic of racism, how can I talk so another person will listen? Maybe more importantly, how can I listen so another person will talk?

Audio can capture what the printed page can't, sometimes. A new FaVS podcast seeks to explore how communities of faith are dealing with the pandemic. 

Most of us prefer wearing our layers of mental or metaphorical masks. It may be even more tempting to do so as we wear literal masks to protect ourselves from the coronavirus. But unmasking leads to real spiritual growth. 

Whatever the politicians say, the Bible tells us that growing as Christians requires us to be in community with each other.

American religious leaders across faiths are grappling with the heavy burden of helping to heal two active traumas: rising civil unrest driven by the police killing of George Floyd and the coronavirus pandemic

Caruso’s Sandwiches and Artisan Pizza, IHOP, Mod Pizza and other area restaurants will be donating 15% to 25% of proceeds from takeout orders to local food bank Second Harvest on Takeout Tuesday this Tuesday.

Even for those of us who endure the coronavirus pandemic with a minimum of disruption, I sense we all live in some degree of “stuck.” Arguably, everyone alive right now is feeling “stuck” to a lesser or greater degree.

The Rev. Ken Peters of Covenant Christian Church criticized Gov. Jay Inslee’s orders to stay home on Sunday, while other worship leaders said they didn’t want to risk their congregations’ safety during the pandemic.