Tradition Archives - Universal Life Church Monastery Blog

What Is the Day of the Dead and Why Is It Celebrated?

October 20th, 2022

The Day of the Dead, or Día de los Muertos, is a Mexican holiday where the veil between our world and the spirit world ceases to exist, and revelers honor the dead with elaborate offerings called ofrendas.

Life and Death 9 Comments

Six Traditional Chinese New Year Customs You Might Not Know About

January 28th, 2022

February 1st marks the beginning of the Year of the Tiger on the Chinese Zodiac. Celebrated as the Chinese New Year, this Spring Festival is one of the most celebrated and revered holidays around the world.

Uncategorized 19 Comments

As Holidays Wind Down, Three Kings Day Approaches in Spain

December 31st, 2021

While the holiday season is winding down for those of us in the United States, it's still in full swing until early January in Spain and Latin America, as they'll celebrate Three Kings Day on January 5th.

Christian 28 Comments

Outrage as 1,400 Dolphins Killed in Traditional Hunt on Faroe Islands

September 21st, 2021

When old traditions collide with modern morality, which should win out? That's what many are wondering after nearly 1,500 dolphins were killed in a traditional Faroe Islands sea hunt that sparked international outrage.

Life and Death 30 Comments

The Great Christmas Standoff: Jesus vs. Santa

December 14th, 2020

Christmas used to be a holiday solely focused on the celebration of the birth of Christ. But Jesus has been supplanted by a new figure: Santa Claus. Many religious parents struggle with how to handle this reality.

Progressive Spirituality 70 Comments

Bucking Gender Norms, Couple Flips Coin to Choose Last Name

January 17th, 2020

Unsure of what to do with their last names when they married, a Florida couple left it up to chance and flipped a coin. Jeff Ward, who took his wife's name, said it was "a good step towards an equal partnership."

Political & Religious Controversy 11 Comments

Antiquated Religious Rituals Live On in 21st Century

May 9th, 2019

Today, most churches condemn rituals such as self-flagellation, but that hasn’t stopped devotees and devout believers from partaking in the practice. Why does it remain so popular?

Political & Religious Controversy 28 Comments

Methodist Church Votes to Keep Discriminating Against Gays

March 13th, 2019

After several years of emotionally charged debate, the United Methodist Church has ultimately decided to maintain its longstanding official position that homosexuality is “incompatible with Christian teaching.”

LGBTQ & Human Rights 140 Comments

The Legend of Stingy Jack and the Original Jack O' Lantern

October 25th, 2018

Pumpkins have been carved and illuminated for centuries, yet few people know the origins behind the practice. How did we decide to start carving pumpkins, and how did Jack O' Lanterns become a universally-recognized symbol of Halloween?

Life and Death 112 Comments

Taking Christ Out of Christmas

December 15th, 2017

Christmas is a religious holiday, right? I mean, it has to be… it’s quite literally a celebration of the literal birth of Jesus Christ. Well, not so fast.

Political & Religious Controversy 130 Comments

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