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This is the blog of the Center for Religious and Spiritual Life (CRSL) at Smith College. To learn more, visit our website.
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Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in these posts are those of the author(s) and are not necessarily shared by CRSL or by Smith College.
Tag Archives: identity
Mrs. New’s Tattoo
I remember the first time I really saw the numbers tattooed on Mrs. New’s arm. I had seen them before, but by 11 years old, I knew enough to really see them. I remember a 2 and a long chain … Continue reading
Memory and History
Memory and Historiography–the writing of history–are two forces that stand in opposition for the heart and soul of a people. Of the two, memory has much more power than history. I learned this from a small book I read in … Continue reading
Shooting a Virus Dred Feminist Rant #16
by Kim Alston
The corona virus exposes unmistakable crises in capitalism. While we reconfigure our expectations and lifestyles because of a virus few of us knew about three months ago, we endure this unimaginable crisis under a ruthless economic philosophy that sacrifices people … Continue reading
Posted in Reflections, Uncategorized
Tagged black lives matter, campus news, CRSL news, identity, national news, politics, race/racism, spirituality
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Times of Captivity, a Time of Liberation
For the next two issues, our newsletter will focus on the theme of liberation. Passover, the holiday which began last night, April 8, commemorates the successful exodus of the Hebrew people out of slavery in Egypt. The COVID-19 crisis kept … Continue reading
Statement on Sri Lanka from Religious and Spiritual Life
Dear Students, Once again we are writing our horror, grief, and outrage about yet another massacre at a place where people were practicing their faith, this time on Easter, the highest of Holy Days for Christians. https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/04/21/outpouring-sorrow-after-more-200-killed-easter-sunday-bombings-sri-lanka While the Christian … Continue reading
Posted in Student Posts
Tagged community, Easter, grief, identity, interfaith, national news, world news
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Reflect, Resist, Rejuvenate
Dear Friends, We chose to highlight as our theme “Reflect, Resist, Rejuvenate” this year because we think these are the three ingredients we all need to live in the present historical moment, and, as general practices of the spiritual life. … Continue reading
Posted in Student Posts
Tagged community, CRSL news, identity, mindfulness, spirituality, stress/relaxation, worship
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Do We Need Religious Community?
Religion graces us with the tools to grapple with grief, loss, death, love, and connectedness. Religion is service: to oneself, to others, to duty. Religion is the recognition of a Universal network of love and justice. For some, religious community … Continue reading
Posted in Student Posts
Tagged Buddhism, Christianity, community, identity, interfaith, worship
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Reflection on Muslim Student Advising
by Kim Alston
For many years Muslim students at Smith College built a sense of community among themselves with little assistance from the Center for Religious and Spiritual Life. They organized events, planned activities and led holy observances largely through the behest of … Continue reading
Posted in Student Posts
Tagged Al-Iman, CRSL news, Eid, identity, spirituality, welcome, worship
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Celebrating Mollie Rogers: The Special Mass Honoring Smith Alum
The Helen Hills Hills Chapel welcomed Bishop Mitchell Rozanski on Sunday, October 14, 2018. At 4pm, Bishop of the Diocese of Springfield celebrated Mass in recognition of Smith alum Mollie Rogers. Mollie, 1905 graduate of Smith College, took the name … Continue reading
Posted in Programs & Events
Tagged campus news, Catholic, Christianity, community, identity, interfaith
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Activism in religious spaces:
Smithies pushing for peace at the J Street Conference
A handful of Smithies traveled to our nation’s Capitol last weekend to join 1,200 students at the national J-Street conference, which coincided with the organization’s 10th anniversary. J-Street is a national political movement that advocates for a peaceful, two-state resolution to … Continue reading
Posted in Interfaith Matters, Social Justice, Student Reflections
Tagged identity, Jewish, national news, politics, travel, world news
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