New Additions to the Site:
1. I have added a page on Christian prayer, which includes several prayers, and some general information. I will continue to add to this page from time to time.
2. I have added (very) brief notes on the entry pages for most of the religions, telling basic information about that religion, including expanded captions for many of the photos.
Projects I am currently working on for the Site:
As you can see, I have many plans for the site! I wanted to share what all I have been working on so that you can know what to expect. I cannot say when any particular project will be completed, because I just do what I can when I feel well enough. Some of the following goals will probably be met soon, and others may take quite a while. So I appreciate your patience!
1. I am researching about African traditional religions. I have been doing this for a few months, and will continue to do so for several more months. Even then, my knowledge will only be introductory because of the vastness of the subject. But I have found the topic fascinating and will continue to expand my learning, and as I learn, I will also expand the information on my website. I hope to be able to add a page introducing African Traditional Religions in general, and to add individual pages for some of the traditions. I will probably also choose various topics to write essays about, perhaps an essay about a particular prophet, or a particular ritual, and things like that. I will also greatly expand my recommended links section and recommend some reading on the subject.
2. I am researching more about Hindu Gods and Goddesses, and will eventually greatly expand my page on the subject. I will be adding more Gods and Goddesses to the list, and more information about the ones that are already there. In addition, I hope to add individual pages with extensive information about the major Deities.
3. I plan to research about the Sabbath as it is observed in various religious traditions. It should include information all about the Jewish Shabbat, and resources for observing it. It will also include information about the Christian "Lord's Day" (Sunday) as well as about the Christian Sabbath (Saturday), which is observed by certain Christian groups. It will also include some information about the Islamic Friday observances, as well as observances of special days of the week by other religious traditions.
4. I have been researching a bit about the various beliefs and practices around the world related to pregnancy and childbirth. I hope to compare the various traditions and add information to the site regarding these. It will include, among other things, the issue of purity or impurity associated with pregnancy and childbirth, how names are chosen, the women's status as mother, rituals, taboos, the involvement of the community in the birth, and so on.
5. I want to get at least a brief introduction to each religion on the website. This website will expand slowly but surely! So for each religion, I hope to add links to various resources, recommended reading, and essays on various aspects of the religion. But at the very minimum, each religion should have a brief introduction, so that is my immediate goal.
6. I hope to add biographies for Guru Nanak (Sikhism), Mahavira (Jainism), and other key religious figures.
7. I plan to research about various Christian mystics and saints, particularly the women mystics, and include biographies and teachings for each.
8. I hope to add a section about Hindu Temples which will include general information about the structure of the temples, the rituals practiced in them, and the place of temples within the lives of Hindus. I hope to include information about some of the major Hindu Temples in India, and festivals associated with various ones. I may also include something particular about the Sri Venkateshwara Temple in Pittsburgh, PA, since it is close to where I live and I have some information about it.
1. I have added a page on Christian prayer, which includes several prayers, and some general information. I will continue to add to this page from time to time.
2. I have added (very) brief notes on the entry pages for most of the religions, telling basic information about that religion, including expanded captions for many of the photos.
Projects I am currently working on for the Site:
As you can see, I have many plans for the site! I wanted to share what all I have been working on so that you can know what to expect. I cannot say when any particular project will be completed, because I just do what I can when I feel well enough. Some of the following goals will probably be met soon, and others may take quite a while. So I appreciate your patience!
1. I am researching about African traditional religions. I have been doing this for a few months, and will continue to do so for several more months. Even then, my knowledge will only be introductory because of the vastness of the subject. But I have found the topic fascinating and will continue to expand my learning, and as I learn, I will also expand the information on my website. I hope to be able to add a page introducing African Traditional Religions in general, and to add individual pages for some of the traditions. I will probably also choose various topics to write essays about, perhaps an essay about a particular prophet, or a particular ritual, and things like that. I will also greatly expand my recommended links section and recommend some reading on the subject.
2. I am researching more about Hindu Gods and Goddesses, and will eventually greatly expand my page on the subject. I will be adding more Gods and Goddesses to the list, and more information about the ones that are already there. In addition, I hope to add individual pages with extensive information about the major Deities.
3. I plan to research about the Sabbath as it is observed in various religious traditions. It should include information all about the Jewish Shabbat, and resources for observing it. It will also include information about the Christian "Lord's Day" (Sunday) as well as about the Christian Sabbath (Saturday), which is observed by certain Christian groups. It will also include some information about the Islamic Friday observances, as well as observances of special days of the week by other religious traditions.
4. I have been researching a bit about the various beliefs and practices around the world related to pregnancy and childbirth. I hope to compare the various traditions and add information to the site regarding these. It will include, among other things, the issue of purity or impurity associated with pregnancy and childbirth, how names are chosen, the women's status as mother, rituals, taboos, the involvement of the community in the birth, and so on.
5. I want to get at least a brief introduction to each religion on the website. This website will expand slowly but surely! So for each religion, I hope to add links to various resources, recommended reading, and essays on various aspects of the religion. But at the very minimum, each religion should have a brief introduction, so that is my immediate goal.
6. I hope to add biographies for Guru Nanak (Sikhism), Mahavira (Jainism), and other key religious figures.
7. I plan to research about various Christian mystics and saints, particularly the women mystics, and include biographies and teachings for each.
8. I hope to add a section about Hindu Temples which will include general information about the structure of the temples, the rituals practiced in them, and the place of temples within the lives of Hindus. I hope to include information about some of the major Hindu Temples in India, and festivals associated with various ones. I may also include something particular about the Sri Venkateshwara Temple in Pittsburgh, PA, since it is close to where I live and I have some information about it.