News & Observer | newsobserver.com | Acts of Faith: 2006

November 3, 2006 Staff photo by Ted Richardson
Ramon Pedraza Cruz erects arches of discarded bamboo above an altar inside his Durham apartment on Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2006. The altar, part of the traditional Mexican celebration of Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is built to honor, and entice visits from, the family's deceased loved ones. Cruz was honoring his sisters, twin 3-year-olds who died in Veracruz, Mexico, in 1970. "Some people say we are crazy to think that our dead will come to visit us," said Cruz, "but we believe." The altar would soon be covered with fresh flowers, breads, fruits and sweets, because, as Cruz explained, "when they come, they will be tired and hungry."
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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.

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