⛪ Religion

• 📸Church of the Immaculate Conception, Port-au-Prince, by Allison Shelley

  A poignant reflection on the aftermath of the earthquake in Haiti, highlighted through powerful imagery by Allison Shelley.

• ⛪How to move a church

  This quirky and surreal promo video offers a unique look into the challenges of relocating an old church.

• 🎶A graphical analysis of national anthem lyrics

  My quest to learn "La Marseillaise" led me to explore the curious and often violent lyrics of national anthems from around the world.

• ⛪An archipelago of churches, one pebble at a time

  An incredible account of a unique tradition in Montenegro's Bay of Kotor, where devotion and geology intertwine through the art of throwing stones into the sea.

• 🥕Are carrots protestant?

  Exploring the colorful history of our adored carrots reveals a blend of agriculture and politics.

• ✝️St. Bartholomew’s Church, redesigned by Maxim Velcovsky

  Two Czech designers transformed St. Bartholomew's Church, revealing its historical layers while blending iconic design with religious elements.

• 📸Wedding Preparations, Davao City, Philippines, by Ryan Anson

  This photograph beautifully captures the blend of activity and stillness during a wedding moment in Davao City.

• 📜Fourth century Bible goes digital

  A celebration of the cultural preservation efforts at the monastery on Mt. Sinai, highlighting the digitization of the Codex Sinaiticus, the oldest existing copy of the Bible.

• 🙏Merci

  A beautiful exploration of faith and gratitude captured in tiles at a Catholic shrine in France.

• ✝️Copyright or smiley face?

  Exploring the divine in the artistry of creation and the faith we see reflected in our surroundings.

• 🤡Holy fools

  A whimsical celebration of vocation unfolds in a church sanctuary, where clowns honor the laughter and legacy of their craft.

• 📹¿Por qué ser Carmelita Descalza?

  A unique strategy by a historic convent in Spain to attract new novices through social media. The Barefoot Carmelite nuns of Ecija have turned to YouTube to share their way of life in a modern way.

• 🕊️Idol Worship, by Laura Keeble

  An intriguing installation titled "Idol Worship" by Laura Keeble at the North Road Cemetery in Southend, UK.

• 🎬Suburban Splendor, photos by Graham Miller

  I love how this guy looks like he's stepped right out of the lead in an old-school cinematic Biblical epic.

• ✝️Africa and missionaries, pt. 1

  In reflecting on Matthew Parris's insights, I find myself both appreciative of his observations and critical of his reasoning regarding faith's impact in Africa.

• ✝️Africa and missionaries, pt. 2

  A heartwarming exchange between cultures, showcasing the impact of priests serving in U.S. parishes and their connection to home.

• ⚖️The tiniest culture war

  An exploration of the polarized perceptions surrounding nanotechnology and its societal implications.

• 🌀Spiritual Shopper

  Quoting Kathleen Norris on the mishmash of religious experiences devoid of depth and context.

• 📅Church - for when you can’t buy booze

  This study explores the impact of blue laws on religious participation and behavior in society.

• 📊Mystery (shoppers) and manners

  An exploration of how churches are adopting consumer marketing strategies to improve engagement and feedback.

• 🏬Boxes of worship

  The idea of transforming defunct big-box stores into churches offers a unique and creative reuse of space.

• 🕊️Hermit-sacristans of this information age

  An exploration of the multifaceted role of hermits in both historical and contemporary cultures.

• ⛪Worship first, then farm

  This excerpt explores the revolutionary idea that religious structures may have prompted the formation of early Neolithic societies before the advent of agriculture.

• 😇O is for obedience

  An exploration of obedience as a creative act, inspired by a story from the Desert Fathers.

• 🙏The root of real honor

  A reflection on the sacredness of family and honor, drawing from a profound narrative in _Gilead_.

• 🌟Glamour and grace

  This post explores the rich and varied history of glamour, spanning from renaissance art to contemporary culture.

• 🏰Holy Monastery of Simonos Petra, Mt. Athos, Greece

  An evocative reflection on a 13th-century Orthodox monastery that beautifully captures its duality of precariousness and homeliness amidst the twilight. This excerpt highlights the unexpected presence of an orange plastic debris chute, juxtaposing ancient architecture with modernity.

• ⛪Consumption v. confession

  An exploration of the shifting practices in Catholic confession and the Eucharist.

• 🏈From Polynesia with love

  As a rugby fan, I find it intriguing to see American football teams embracing the Polynesian haka and fostering multicultural connections.

• 🐦Super Kingdom by London Fieldworks

  Inspired by the hibernation patterns of local animals, this series of show homes evokes a blend of biblical imagery, reminiscent of the Tower of Babel and Noah's Ark, intertwining themes from the Garden of Eden and the New Jerusalem.

• 📚Department of applied literature

  A high-end storefront secular church in London reimagines philosophy and literature as tools for daily life.

• 💧Living waters (slightly) reinterpreted

  An exploration of how Jewish feminists have reinterpreted the mikveh, transforming what was once seen as a symbol of patriarchal oppression into a celebration of women's connection to tradition and spirituality.

• 🐘Ganesh CD player, Mumbai, India

  Exploring cultural sensitivities in consumerism, especially through a playful depiction of Ganesh.

• 🤝Reconciliation and the oval ball

  A reflection on Nelson Mandela's clever adaptation to the challenges of prison life through his unexpected engagement with rugby.

• 🎨Type specimen - Blaktur

  I appreciate the intriguing connections between traditional calligraphy and contemporary design, highlighted by Ken Barber's "Blaktur."

• 🏢Your neighbor must be everyone

  Lake County Sheriff Mark C. Curran Jr. shares his reflections after serving a week in jail to gain empathy and insight into the lives of inmates.

• 🕊️Depressed, minority church-going teens

  This study highlights the complex relationship between religious participation and adolescent mental health, particularly among minority teens.

• 🍔Chain mosques

  Exploring how the rise of multi-site mosque chains mirrors the fast-food model, emphasizing accessibility and modern amenities for worshippers.

• 🎭Twenty years experience needed

  Brian Eno reflects on the deep-rooted theatrical traditions and community spirit of Oberammergau.

• 🚕Abu Ali, Shabbos Goy

  A unique interaction between cultures emerges when a Muslim taxi driver helps observant Jews on the Sabbath.

• 🤠Your church home on the range

  Cowboy churches blend country charm with spiritual devotion, creating a unique worship experience.

• 🕊️The wonder (and scandal) of conversion

  An exploration of the complex nature of conversion and identity, illustrated through Jennie Baker's experience with Orthodoxy in England.

• 🙏Ingrid Betancourt’s amazing post-rescue press conference

  A remarkable press conference delivered by a survivor of jungle captivity, reflecting on her emotional rescue experience. "The helicopter almost fell from the sky, because we were jumping, shouting, crying, embracing, we couldn't believe it. God has done a miracle for us -- and it's a miracle that I wanted to share with all of you, because all of you have suffered with my family, with my children, with me."

• ⛑️Sandbag challenge

  Researchers examined how professional engineers outperformed volunteers in building effective sandbag dikes, highlighting the importance of expertise in flood prevention.

• 🎶Beyond Bollywood - Shillong’s love affair with western music

  Reflecting the rich musical heritage of Shillong, where rock and gospel blend seamlessly in a unique cultural tapestry.