Religions, beliefs and practices reflect humanity’s quest for meaning and connection with the transcendental. This space explores spiritual diversity, analyzing various forms of faith and rituals that enrich the human experience and foster intercultural understanding.
In the current debate on cremation and burial, the Jewish community offers unique perspectives that integrate religious, environmental, and cultural considerations. While cremation gains popularity in the West for economic and practical reasons, traditional Jewish burial emphasizes the spiritual connection between body and soul, promoting more sustainable and nature-respectful practices.
The practice of voodoo dolls has roots in Egypt and Greece, although today it is associated with hoodoo and Haitian voodoo. These figures, linked to sympathetic magic, embody human attempts to channel energies, whether for protection or magical purposes.
A narrative about the complexity of the bokor, a voodoo priest who blends black magic and protection. His relationship with loas such as Baron Samedi and Kalfou unveils a belief system filled with contradictions, interlaced with funerary rituals, ritual sexuality, and political power. Haitian tradition demonstrates voodoo’s endurance in every facet of its culture.
The marks known as stigmas remain at the center of a millennia-old debate. This unique manifestation, with renowned cases such as Saint Francis of Assisi and Padre Pio, generates religious fervor, scientific intrigue, and widespread skepticism. Neither medicine nor theology offers a unanimous response, prolonging the tension between mystery and reason.
Spain extends a hand to the descendants of Sephardic Jews exiled more than five centuries ago. The approved legislation aims to heal wounds, restore cultural ties, and offer citizenship to those who kept the memory alive. This symbolic gesture reflects an effort to acknowledge past mistakes and strengthen bonds with a global diaspora.
In March 2013, Pope Francis sent a letter to Father Adolfo Nicolás, leader of the Society of Jesus, expressing his appreciation for the support offered following his election. The text highlighted unconditional service to the Church and the Ignatian charism.
