Articles written by Claudia Windal - Page 4

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About me - Claudia Windal

I am a multi-professional woman: Episcopal priest, registered nurse (hospice), licensed mortician. As a Lakota native, I have opened a funeral home for our people who struggle with finances in most funeral homes and must sacrifice traditions and merchandise

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Religion & Spirituality > Spiritual Life Is suicide an unforgiveable sin?: 8 of 69
I don't believe that there are any unforgiveable sins. A dozen people might commit suicide and there may be at least 12 reasons, if not more, for their decisions. Unless we are able to read minds, we do not know if these suicides were sins or not and only God knows if any sins are forgiven. Trying to answer this question wil... More..
Society & Lifestyle > Racism Is racism taught or learned?: 10 of 80
Racism is definitely learned and is also taught in subtle and veiled ways. Many times it is not what we say but how we present information. As children, we learned of the landing of the Mayflower and the arrival of the pilgrims who encountered "savages." The new settlers were conservative in dress, actions and speech. The "o... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Family Law Advance directives and why you might need one: 1 of 8
Although each of us will one day die, most of will do anything not to think about that day. Medical professionals have become increasingly hesitant to withdraw life support from a patient even if it has been medically proven that there are no further treatments to try and that their patient's "life" is artificially stained. ... More..
Religion & Spirituality > Religion & Spirituality (Other) Where is God?: 8 of 63
I write from a Native American (Lakota) experience of Creator, Wakan Tanka, God. There is nowhere to turn where I do not see and experience God. When I awaken in the morning and first see and feel the sun, I acknowledge God. I take my tobacco outside and I listen for the voice of the Creator as I offer tobacco and prayers to... More..
Creative Writing > Short Stories Short stories: Finding God: 2 of 15
One day, I decided that it was time that I should meet God personally. As I got dressed I thought, "how will I know God when we meet?" I reviewed what I knew about God. God created the world and everything in it. "Well then," I thought, "God will have to be mighty old. I wonder where an old God would likely be on a bright su... More..
Religion & Spirituality > Christianity (Other) Are homosexual acts natural or sinful?: 8 of 59
How long, O God, how long will people ask these questions? I need to ask my own question here: What is a homosexual act? Right now, I am using my computer to respond to the question for this debate and I am lesbian. Is my act of writing natural or sinful? Does this action really have anything to do with my being homosexual? ... More..
Religion & Spirituality > Christian Doctrine & Issues Christian reflections on the death penalty: 4 of 28
"Thou shall not kill." A huge part of society still seems to believe that this commandment is intended for those who commit murder and not for those who would take the lives of convicted criminals. Is legally taking a life a violation of the commandment to not kill? I continue to struggle with this question despite my growin... More..
Religion & Spirituality > Spirituality (Other) Let Native Americans worship in peace: 2 of 14
Those who criticize Native American worship do so based upon superficial understandings of our theologies, spiritual ways, and external expression of our beliefs. Although today, much is written about Native American spirituality and worship, non-Natives will generally pick and choose what they want to affirm as "okay" for w... More..
Religion & Spirituality > Christian Beliefs & Culture Are we correct when we call Mary the mother of God?: 2 of 14
In order to answer this question, we must first determine what we believe about God and about Jesus the Christ. Although I am a Christian, I do not hold a traditional belief in the Trinity. I do believe that God is responsible for initiating creation and for guiding our sisters and brothers of the Old Testament toward right ... More..
Religion & Spirituality > Churches & Organizations Should Christian churches allow gays to be ordained as priests?: 10 of 67
I am always amazed by this question. I was a Roman Catholic before becoming an Episcopal priest and during my adolescence (when I learned a bit about gay men), I was certain that I correctly identified several priests in our parish as well as nearby parishes. Since this was not discussed openly by anyone, the question was ne... More..