Anne Rice, 'Called Out of Darkness'
- play show:
Date: 4 August 2009
Interview with an (Ex)Vampire Writer
Anne Rice is well known for her Gothic tales of witches, blood and all things horror. But 10 years ago she shocked her fans when she renounced her dark past, coming to see cult classics like Interview with the Vampire and The Witching Hour as portraits of her own quest for God. In 2005 she began writing novels about the life of Christ, trying to bring the Gospels—not vampires—into living color. In her 2008 memoir, Anne Rice described her surprising journey from Catholicism, to Atheism and back again. Originally aired in November 2008.
Anne Rice, author of Called Out of Darkness: A Spiritual Confession
Why Do We Suffer?
Begins At: 22 min 48 sec
It’s one of the world’s oldest questions: If God is all powerful, and loving and caring, why is suffering allowed to exist? Religious scholar Bart Ehrman reviewed the major biblical answers to this question, and found them all wanting. Originally aired in May 2008.
Bart Ehrman, author of God’s Problem: How the Bible Fails to Answer Our Most Important Question: Why We Suffer
'Heebster' Judaism
Begins At: 43 min
There’s a cultural revolution underfoot…and it kind of looks like Adam Sandler. From “Yenta” T-shirts and Moses action figures to He'Brew Beer, hipster Judaism is all the rage. Lisa Alcalay Klug joined us in January to catalogue the “Jewniverse”.
Lisa Alcalay Klug, author of Cool Jew: The Ultimate Guide for Every Member of the Tribe
This Week's Interfaith Calendar
August 15 - Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary/Dormition of the Theotokos (Catholic Christian/Orthodox Christian)
Roman Catholics believe that Jesus' mother, Mary, did not experience death. Instead, the church teaches that she was taken, or assumed, body and soul into heaven.
The Orthodox church has a different teaching on what happened at the end of Mary's life. On this day, Orthodox Christians commemorate the "falling asleep" (or "dormition") of Mary, whom they refer to as the Theotokos. Above is a rare Western depiction of Mary's physical death, painted by Caravaggio in 1606 (from Wikimedia Commons).
August 17 - Paryushana (Jain)
During the eight- to ten-day festival of Paryushana, Jains dedicate themselves to the ideals of fasting, repentance and nonviolence. The word 'Paryushana' means 'to stay in one place,’ and refers to the beginning of India’s rainy season, when Jain ascetics take a break from their continuous wandering and settle in one spot. This gives their lay followers the opportunity to visit with them and learn more about their faith.
