News & Observer | newsobserver.com | Acts of Faith: 2005

November 18, 2005 Staff photo by Ted Richardson [/assets/story/image_buynow.comp]
As he does twice daily, Paul Aaron practices Qigong, a Chinese exercise that focuses the mind and body around one’s Qi (pronounced CHEE), or vital force, at Weaver Street Market in Carrboro. Just as often, he recites the Shema Yisrael, a pledge of allegiance to a single God, and the most famous of all Jewish sayings. Aaron’s search for a spiritual center, which he says started at a very young age and which intensified recently upon the death of his wife, has followed a path through Judaism, Zen Buddhism, yoga and Qigong. ‘I’ve had many teachers along the way, including rabbis and Zen masters,’ Aaron said. ‘Their teachings don’t contradict, but enhance one another,’ he said. ‘They have brought me closer to God, and assure me that beneath life’s suffering is a great joy.’
About This Project


Ethan Hyman
"Acts of Faith" explores the different belief systems that co-exist in the Triangle area. Ten years of heavy migration has brought many new faiths to the region, turning the Bible Belt home of Billy Graham into a spiritual coat of many colors. Mosques, Buddhist and Hindu temples, Sikh Gurudwaras, synagogues and scores of Christian churches have become spiritual and social centers for a radically changing population. The demographic shift has pushed congregations to find innovative ways to keep their members while attracting new arrivals. "Acts of Faith" was born as a way to show this new religious diversity and analyze the role spirituality plays in people's daily lives.


Pailin Wedel
When covering an event for Acts of Faith, we look for situations that evoke strong emotion and try to bring readers into the moment. Though holidays and major celebrations are important, we also look for unexpected expressions of faith and quieter moments of solitary exploration. We hope to give readers insight into the breadth and depth of faith by showing how people incorporate it into their everyday lives.


Ted Richardson
For two years, Sher Stoneman and Susana Vera produced this column. In 2004, they handed it over to Ethan Hyman, Scott Lewis and Lisa Lauck. In 2005, Ted Richardson replaced Scott Lewis on this project. In 2006, Pailin Wedel replaced Lisa Lauck.

More photos: 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006

Advertisements

Print Ads View all ads from past 7 days »

Hosting Partners of
newsobserver.com

© Copyright 2008, The News & Observer Publishing Company

A subsidiary of The McClatchy Company