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David J Wolpe asked a simple question but a complicated question to answer. The questioned, why does faith matter. He devoted an entire book to answer this question. This question is important because many people struggle with the answer, whether they are explaining it to someone else or even questioning their own faith. Similar to Harold Kushner, David Wolpe is also a Rabbi. Although he is Jewish his texts are perfect for anyone seeking clarity in this question. If you are not seeking clarity you will find that Wolpe does a tremendous job at defending the faith against atheism. He does an amazing job of expressing this through kindness and by shining a light on the relationship between religion and violence. A popular quote from this book is, “Faith is where we stand in the universe, not an idea that is checked off in the truth or illusion column. Losing…

Buddhism’s Four Noble TruthsThe First Noble Truth is called dukkha, which focuses on the main undertone of Buddhism, suffering. Although Buddha understands it is possible to enjoy things that there is an undertone of sadness beneath it all. Smokie Robinson has a couple of songs that explain the idea of having a good time while having sadness buried beneath the surface called “The Tracks of My Tears” and “The Tears of a Clown” where he sings about seeming fine in public but deep down he is sad. Hutson Smith used an example to explain the idea of dukkha as a shopping cart that does not steer properly because something is not working right. Buddha outlines six very specific times when this is prominent; the birth of trauma, in illness, in old age as your body falls apart, in fear of approaching death, being separated from what you love, and to…