While we do our best to stay away from politics in this newsletter, we are very involved with spirituality in all its forms. As such, we can't ignore the area in which they cross over, especially when that crossover threatens to turn a democracy into a theocracy by promoting Christian nationalism in every area of American life. For those of you who find this concerning, I'd like to draw your attention a movement that's been around since the 1970s, which currently has a powerful and terrifying grip on U.S. politics.

It's called the Seven Mountain Mandate and you can find a good overview of it HERE. At the risk of sounding like a conspiracy theorist, I ask you to be aware of how banning books in schools, filling the supreme court with right-wing extremists, denying the reality of slavery, removing women's rights and demonizing immigrants is all part of the agenda to control the "seven mountains of influence" in society (family, religion, art, education, media, business and government).

Dr. Terri Daniel, CT, FFGT

Clinical Chaplaincy, End-of-Life Educator

Bereavement and Trauma Support

office@deathgriefandbelief.com

NEWS, ARTICLES AND EDUCATION

4 in 10 Resuscitated Patients

Recall Awareness During CPR

Many of our readers are familiar with the pioneering researchers in the field of near-death studies such as Raymond Moody, Melvin Morse and Pim Von Lommel. But you may not be familiar with Dr. Sam Parnia, who is the leading researcher in the field today. He first gained wide public attention via this brilliant interview on NPR in 2013, and his work continues to explore what happens to consciousness when the body is clinically dead. READ MORE...

Medical Aid in Dying is Not "Assisted Suicide."

The American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine, American Medical Women’s Association, American Medical Student Association, American Academy of Family Physicians and American Public Health Association have all adopted policies opposing the use of the terms “suicide” and “assisted suicide” to describe the medical practice of aid in dying. READ MORE...

22% of Americans Identify as

"Spiritual But Not Religious"

The latest study from the Pew Research on religiosity in American shows that 22% of Americans think of themselves as spiritual or they consider spirituality very important in their lives, but they neither think of themselves as religious nor say religion is very important in their lives. READ MORE...

Here's a related story on how the exvangelical and deconstruction movements are inspiring the growth of new, non-dogmatic spiritual communities.

Too Little, Too Late

Although same-sex marriage has been legal in the UK since 2013, the Catholic church has refused to recognize it. However, they did offer a consolation prize last month by agreeing to "bless" individual LGBTQ partners, but drew a line at blessing the union itself. READ MORE...

No, No, Just No!

Texas public schools may soon be able to allow overt religious recruitment on campus since a "school chaplain" law was passed.

As if that isn't bad enough, the chaplains are not required to meet any specific training requirements, which can open the door to any evangelical preacher who applies for the job. READ MORE...

Breaking the Widow Rules

by Jill Johnson-Young

"When I tell my 'how I got here' story, the usual responses are sad looks and a weird sigh that most seem to think fits responding to loss. You know that experience, especially if your partner has died. It's one the grievers I work with learn to loathe.

It's confusing when you smile in response. You are supposed to be sad, perhaps a bit hopeless, and, very possibly, needy. You have a role to play. And while we may be sad at times, we need to smile and feel capable just like everyone else."

Emerging Spiritualities:

Death and Bereavement

Across the Spiritual Spectrum

In this unique online seminar, you'll learn from some of today's most respected leaders in death and bereavement studies. Join us for a day of unique content covering profound experiences and critical issues experienced by dying and grieving individuals. Click HERE for details.

This issue of the newsletter is dedicated

to Rev. Carlton Pearson

Carlton Pearson, who died in November, was a fearless freethinker who boldly spoke out against toxic religious doctrines, and was declared a heretic by the Joint College of African-American Pentecostal Bishops. In response to that declaration, he said:

“The blasphemy I stand accused of is the simple message of the Gospel of

Inclusion: the whole world is saved, but they just don’t know it,” he wrote in the

book’s introduction. “Saved not only from hell and eternal damnation, but saved

from itself — saved from its erroneous perceptions of God and good.”

Medical Aid in Dying ﻿is Not "Assisted Suicide."

Emerging Spiritualities:

Death and Bereavement

Across the Spiritual Spectrum

Medical Aid in Dying is Not "Assisted Suicide."