Religion

A teacher at OCC for 39 years, Theodore “Ted” Wall gave students the gift of perspective when it came to religion as the world religions teacher and religious studies department chairman. He died Saturday, June 14 of cancer of the bone marrow. He was 86. Formerly a minister in the Methodist church for about 20 years, Wall came to OCC in 1969 to teach religion. Over the years, he developed a style that pushed students to learn about various religions from different angles.

Up in Bigfork, Mont., there is a place where Theodore Wall and his wife, Shirley, would just listen. The soft, rustling water would relax the two as they read, often lounging in a hammock or enjoying a good book next to the water. It was that kind of peace and tranquillity the couple shared throughout their 24 years of marriage. “It was a very special place for us,” Shirley Wall said. “He was a wonderful husband. We had a very happy marriage.” A teacher at OCC for 39 years, Theodore “Ted” Wall died June 14 of bone marrow cancer.

As a believer in humanist guidance, I can’t help but get a little irritated with the superior attitude taken by some religious groups that think any atheist or agnostic is not to be trusted. They have been subjected to statements from the pulpit such as atheism is the religion of self, or other comments to the effect that anyone who doubts the existence of a God is a pure hedonist or worse. They seem to think people who do not believe in hell have no reason to consider others in their decisions.

Huntington Beach City Council members recently took a step toward displaying the expression “In God We Trust” in the council chambers. “When I see ‘In God We Trust,’ for me personally it’s a religious statement,” Councilwoman Jill Hardy said. “I don’t hear the words ‘United States of America.’ Why not post ‘Proud to be an American?’ If that’s really the goal, shouldn’t we say what we mean?” But Councilman Joe Carchio said, “I think you’re kind of reading too much into this religion thing.

Various slices of Orange County?s diverse neighborhoods and people will be brought together for a day at Sage Hill High School. The school will celebrate its seventh Annual Multicultural Fair from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 5 on its campus, with music, food and religious organizations. About 25 international food booths will feature favorites from all over the world. Joining the booths will be performances from Christ Our Redeemer Church?s Gospel Chorale, Mayan/Aztec flute performances, a Native American drum ceremony, the school?

The nation’s leading science organization is taking a firm stance against creationism as a legitimate alternative to evolution, according to a report released Friday by the National Academy of Sciences and Institute of Medicine. The report, significantly larger than its predecessors in 1999 and 1984, was headed by UCI evolutionary biologist and former Dominican priest Francisco Ayala. Former UCI Chancellor Ralph Cicerone is president of the National Academy of Sciences. “Despite the overwhelming evidence supporting evolution, opponents have repeatedly tried to introduce nonscientific views into public school science classes through the teaching of various forms of creationism or intelligent design,” according to the report.

Editor’s note: This is Alicia Lopez’s last column. Anyone interested in writing a column on Latino issues in the community please contact Managing Editor Brady Rhoades at brady.rhoades@latimes.com . Actually, I’m not Roman Catholic. I’ve had to say that many times in my life. When your name is Alicia Lopez and the other half of you is mostly Irish, people often assume your religion. Christmastime tends to bring out that question more than usual, and it is also the time of year that taught me how similar life can be despite religion.

His words hit me right in the gut. Not because he was a writer for the Los Angeles Times discussing his views about religion, and in particular my brand of faith and all its failings, but because this was a friend of mine, William Lobdell, doing it. I was pained by it and knew what he was saying came from the heart, even if I didn’t want to hear it. It also pained me because I knew it wasn’t always this way for him. ...

Ever prayed for something good to happen to your favorite football team? If so, David Chidester might be able to offer some insight. Chidester, head of the department of religious studies at the University of Cape Town, South Africa, will discuss ?Plastic Religion: Religious Creativity in Popular Culture? Thursday at OCC. At 1 p.m. Thursday he will lecture at the Robert B. Moore Theatre. Admission is free. From 2:15 to 2:45 p.m. he?ll sign copies of his book in the student center lounge, followed by a round table discussion from 3 to 4 p.m. ?