Faith

Deepa Bharath White sails fluttered in the gentle afternoon breeze Friday over an ocean that was almost the color of Sinatra's eyes. Through binoculars, several people on Ocean Boulevard watched hundreds of sailboats take their positions for the Newport to Ensenada race. Massoud Balbas, who works in Newport Beach, said he was in awe. "This is my first time watching the boats leave Newport," he said. "Look at this, it's beautiful. The ocean, the boats -- they're all beautiful."

Lolita Harper The Costa Mesa community commemorated the year anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks Wednesday by celebrating a strength the city and the nation have long been known for: diversity. Leaders from the Jewish, Muslim and Christian faith communities spoke to hundreds of people during the Patriot Day Memorial Tribute at the Arlington Theater and highlighted the importance of coming together as a nation in the face of adversity. In addition to traditional color guard presentations and military salutes, the city-sponsored tribute highlighted speeches from three religious leaders whose roles in society increased dramatically in the past year.

"God never promised you a Disneyland. He offers something better -- His own sustaining presence through any trouble you may encounter." -- Charles R. Swindoll I've heard from several readers about last week's column. For those of you who didn't read it, it was about the fact that as we travel through life, we will encounter painful low points, as well as joyful highlights. It's great to have people to share those times with, but in any case, God will always be there with us. One reader wrote about the personal pain in her life and said that though she believes in God, she has had many sad things happen to her. After reading her e-mail, I agree that she has had more than her share of bad situations happen.

In February a book by former Daily Pilot editor Bill Lobdell — which promises to be a tough read for some of us — will be published. Titled “Losing My Religion,” the book was trumpeted a few months back in these pages by columnist Joseph Bell. Bell informed Pilot readers that Lobdell’s book explicates his journey from faith to agnosticism. Several decades ago I experienced a similar journey — though in the opposite direction — but didn’t write a book about it. I wasn’t convinced that the world would give a flying fig about what I had to say publicly about my decision to forgo a strictly secular lifestyle.

Michele Marr Just before noon on Thursday morning, a bright winter sun penetrated the stained-glass windows of St. Mary Armenian Apostolic Church in Costa Mesa, illuminating a dozen jewel-colored images of saints for worshipers inside. On the south wall of the sanctuary, a window depicting St. Ashkhen, queen of Armenia, stood alongside a window of her husband and fellow saint, King Trdat. A garland of tulle and silk roses outlined the window's arched frame.

Saddleback Church Pastor Rick Warren asked presidential candidates John McCain and Barack Obama to participate in a “civil forum” on faith issues at his church last week. What did you think of the forum and how well do you think the candidates addressed the questions?   We have become a word-weary society. We are quick to say actions speak louder than words. We want values and deeds to be the proof the words are true. But deep down we know the children’s rhyme “sticks and stones will break my bones but words will never hurt me” is a lie. We know words can wound and kill.

For a long time I have wanted to take a class about the comparative religions of the world, but it has never worked out. Nevertheless, and especially considering last week’s column about the dangerous situations all around the world due to the merging of church and state, I thought I would try to learn about and then discuss one or two of the world’s great religions in each of our upcoming columns for the next few weeks. Unfortunately, our public schools seem to have treated this fascinating and critical subject as taboo for many decades, but there is no logical reason for this situation to continue.

Alex Coolman It's a frightening thing to take the Christian faith seriously, says Sister Helen Prejean, an anti-death penalty activist and the author of the Pulitzer Prize-nominated book "Dead Man Walking." It's frightening because the Christian gospels, in her view, contain a very radical message about the need to reach out, as Jesus did, to the most marginalized members of society. Think seriously about what the Bible means, she's found, and you end up actually getting involved with these marginal figures, the outcasts, pariahs and criminals who are rejected by almost everyone.