Discusses Jewish traditions and establishment of the Sabbath as a special day, its observance being both part of a religious tradition and an example of psychological health. Explores the values and attitudes that underlie Sabbath observance, identifies some of the themes and behaviors most characteristic of these observances, and relates these to…

Participants (n=264) in adult education programs in England completed scale of drinking behavior and indices of church attendance and denominational affiliation. Found drinking behavior unrelated to frequency of church attendance but significantly related to denominational identity. Members of Free Churches were less likely to drink than were…

In this article, the author shares his conversation with Kim--one of his students who shared with him her faith, her major beliefs, the conditions for eternal salvation of one's soul, and her family's religious history. As Kim was describing her faith group's criteria for eternal salvation and for eternal damnation, the author found that her faith…

Notes that Jews have long been recognized for their moderate drinking practices and for their low rates of alcohol problems. Reviews body of literature on Jewish drinking, extracts the factors that appear to provide Jews with their "immunity," and discusses how these factors may be applied to prevention programs. (Author/NB)

Examined the structure of semantic space (Evaluative-Potency-Activity) among four socioreligious communities in South Africa: Jesus People, Hare Krishna Devotees; Maharaj Ji Premies; and Catholic Seminarians. Found significant differences among all groups, particularly in semantic structure between the Jesus People and the Hare Krishna groups; and…

Compares the educational philosophy of most present-day educators (secular democratic consciousness) with the educational philosophy of the religious right (classical democratic consciousness). Argues that language arts departments must defend their programs against the religious right as well as attempt to understand it and forge constructive…

Religious faith plays a central role in the lives of many people. Although studies and anecdotal literature have explored the conflict between sexual and religious identities, no research has investigated the role of faith group affirmation of a lesbian, gay, or bisexual (LGB) identity on the mental health of LGB members. This study compared 2…

There has been little research on intimate partner violence (IPV) in faith-based communities. This qualitative study examines social attitudes and religious values in an Ultra-Orthodox Jewish community that affect the incidence of IPV and prevent women survivors from seeking help. Interviews were conducted with 8 Orthodox women and 11 community…

A sociolinguistic, ethnographic analysis of Christian Science oral testimonies is reported in this study. The study is based on the analysis of transcripts of four testimonial meetings of a branch church, interpreted through knowledge of Christian Science official literature, informal interaction with Christian Scientists, and knowledge of other…

International Churches of Christ, not affiliated with the mainline Church of Christ, actively recruits college students and proselytizes to a degree that some consider harassment and intimidation. Some major institutions have banned the groups from campuses. Some religious groups hesitate to call the International Churches of Christ a cult,…

Claims that religious messages in public school are not acceptable and are hurtful to kids who do not subscribe to the beliefs expressed in those messages. Describes the author's personal experience in helping a teacher transform the script for "Christmas Magic" into the more inclusive "Holiday Magic." (RS)

Investigates perceptions of the amount of interpersonal communication and attitudes towards communication frequency after the Trappist monk's rule of enforced silence and solitude was lifted in 1969. Concludes that increased interpersonal communication resulted in increased self-awareness and therefore more meaningful and effective silence. (MH)

Examines how a semi-literate Black man named George Baker established one of the more prosperous and influential social movements of the century and how he persuaded thousands that he was God come-again. (MH)

Reported is a study of the understanding and support of science for sample groups of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod ministers, seminarians, and high school seniors. Catalogs of Synodical schools were examined to determine changes in science requirements from 1925-30 to 1968. Science teachers were surveyed to ascertain course improvements…