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By Holly Meyer and David Crary |
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By Holly Meyer and David Crary |
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Greetings, World of Faith readers.
We explore Superman’s religious underpinnings, ancient worship services of Ethiopian Orthodox Christians in the U.S, and the fallout out from the arson attack on Pennsylvania governor's home. It’s also Holy Week for many Christians. |
A congregant of the DSK Mariam Church, an Ethiopian Orthodox church, stands during a service in Washington, D.C. (AP Photo/Jessie Wardarski) |
In Washington, an Ethiopian church preserves an ancient language and Orthodox tradition |
In the U.S. capital, hundreds of Ethiopians dressed in white tunics gather at the DSK Mariam Church to chant and pray in an ancient liturgical language of one of the oldest African branches of Christianity. Congregants and religious leaders say it’s crucial to preserve the Ge'ez language and other traditions of the faith for future generations in the bustling District of Columbia region. It's home to the largest Ethiopian diaspora community in the United States. Read more.
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DSK Mariam was founded in Washington in 1987. It now has more than 1,500 registered members, and church leaders say more than 4,000 people attend services each week.
Many Ethiopian families have come to the U.S. over the past 50 years, having left their home country after the 1974 overthrow of the late Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie, who is worshipped by most members of the Rastafari faith.
Estimates range widely on the number of Ethiopians in the U.S., from more than 250,000 to unofficial estimates by diaspora leaders that it’s closer to 1 million.
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Is he Christ? Is he Moses? Superman's religious and ethical undertones add to his mystique |
James Gunn's upcoming film “Superman” has generated a conversation about the place and relevance of this superhero who turned 87 on April 18, observed by fans as Superman Day. Superman's origin story of escaping a destroyed homeland is relatable to Jewish people and several other immigrant experiences. Numerous comics and recent films and TV shows have attempted Christ-like portrayals of Superman. But scholars, writers and fans agree that Superman doesn't belong to one faith tradition or one nation. Rather, he's a symbol of hope and transcendence for all. Read more.
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Superman was born Kryptonian, raised Methodist and sketched into existence by two Jewish teens in 1930s Cleveland. Faith and morality are his DNA.
There are no overt religious references in Superman comics. But over eight decades, he’s been viewed as a divine entity, a savior: his sacrifice Christ-like, his will to lead as strong as Moses parting the Red Sea, his compassion akin to a bodhisattva — an enlightened being who guides Buddhists on the spiritual path.
The new “Superman” is set for release on July 11, starring David Corenswet, the first Jewish actor to play Superman in a major film. It promises a return to a version of a vulnerable Man of Steel rooted in values espoused by most faiths — goodness, compassion and hope.
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Arson attack on Pennsylvania governor's home evokes trauma for state's Jews |
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro’s mansion was the target of an arson attack, but the attacker's motives are unclear. They are clouded by hints of erratic behavior as well as statements from his past. His relatives say he has struggled with mental illness, and his lawyers suggested that will be central to their defense. But the attack evokes horrible memories for members of Pennsylvania's Jewish community, including the state's Democratic governor. Read more.
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Pittsburgh experienced the deadliest antisemitic attack in U.S. history in 2018 when a gunmen murdered 11 worshippers from three congregations at the Tree of Life synagogue.
Audrey Glickman, a survivor of the 2018 attack and a member of Tree of Life Congregation, said she admired Shapiro’s composure, just hours after the attack, and his emphatic denunciation of hatred regardless of motivation.
Shapiro has won statewide races three times in the crucial battleground state. He was a finalist to be Vice President Kamala Harris’s running mate in last year’s presidential campaign and is considered a potential 2028 Democratic candidate for president.
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