Gloria wrote our latest entry for chapters 6 and 7, and she's accompanied it with photos of two children who clearly mean the world to her. Of this first photo, she wrote, "This is me and one of the funniest kids I know, Angela. She’s a resilient, incredible, 4 year old cancer survivor. She’s taught me so much about life, love, and enjoying those little moments of happiness. Her favorite thing to do is for us to have a 'girl’s spa day.'" Clearly, Gloria is sensitive to the joy that Angela finds in her world, and I think that when you read her entry, you'll see that she's shared great insight into the thoughts and feelings of the members of "The Faith Club," too. Happy reading!

I began reading this book on schedule at the start of the semester, but quickly gave up after finishing the 2^nd chapter. I was reluctantly reading the words, without understanding these women’s stories, mainly because I was approaching it as strictly religious, not acknowledging how culturally rich it truly is. Religion is a complicated, hot-button issue to discuss. Because of this, it was very difficult for me to truly read and comprehend the book with an open mind. Once I mentally prepared myself, I began the book all over again.

I felt I could relate to a number of Ranya’s experiences in these chapters. She mentioned feelings of uneasiness when she thought of how criminals go to prison for murder, and they come out followers of Islam. I feel the same way when I think of all the judgmental people worshiping the same God as me. I also cringe at the thought of religious extremists, from any religion, murdering in the name of God. Religious and cultural tolerance should be a goal for all people, in order to better coexist.

I thought it was very interesting how Ranya’s attendance at Suzanne’s church only strengthened her personal Islamic beliefs. Initially, I was shocked because in my stereotype of a Muslim, Ranya would not have accepted Suzanne’s invitation. But Ranya not only attended a Christian church, she wanted to. I felt this was very mature and enlightening on her part. The fact that she put herself out of her comfort zone, actually improved her cultural competence and self-awareness. It made me think that if she could have an open mind, we could all learn something from her actions. As she listened to the service, she left with a feeling of empowerment about her ownbeliefs.

Ranya also discussed her goals after their visit to a Christian church. She hoped to finally attach meaning to Easter celebrations for her kids. Having grown up in a Muslim-American family, she too enjoyed Easter baskets in April. As Sovanny mentioned in an earlier blog entry, American holidays are Christian oriented. It’s very difficult for children not to experience them. I enjoyed how Ranya wrote that her family “culturally but not spiritually” celebrated Easter (p. 85). I think that it’s vital for adults to acknowledge the difference between the two. At the same time, explaining this to any child and expecting them to comprehend it would be extremely difficult.

Further on in the reading, Priscilla discusses her struggles with personal beliefs. She talks about how she’s a Jew simply because her parents were Jewish. As a child, she went to Hebrew school, but she never experienced the assuredness Ranya or Suzanne felt in God. I think that the difference in their spiritual strengths has to do with their upbringing. Ranya says that she just looks at the “earthly beauty” and knows that there is a God. Priscilla, on the other hand, has always questioned it due to her numerous family troubles which began as an infant. I believe that this book is a great example of what an impression childhood experiences will have on future values and beliefs. Thanks to these women’s difficult journey towards cultural competence and knowledge, their children will have an enlightened opinion on culture and religious beliefs.

Finally, I briefly wanted to share Priscilla’s “Paper Bag Story” (p. 89). I loved the connection and bond that her father made with this simple, yet meaningful story. Even though he had told them this Yiddish story when they were children, the moral is valid no matter what age or struggle they were facing. I felt a strong connection to this specific section because I also suffer from mild panic attacks over many things. But if I put all my worries and concerns into a paper bag, I would much rather take my own paper bag home than someone else’s. This is a great lesson for any child, teenager, or adult to keep in mind when times are hard. I believe that sharing a significant, clear-cut story like this with a child could impact them in a positive manner throughout their life.

And of this second picture, Gloria wrote, "This is my other favorite little girly, Julie. She’s my four year old cousin, who I helped raise since her birth. I love spending my free time with her playing tag, racing, or blowing bubbles."

A Child's Questions....A Woman's Confidence

"The attached picture is of the strong women in my life!" That is how Amanda, the author of our latest entry on chapters 6 and 7, described this picture. You'll see as you read her entry that she has greatly benefited from the strong women in her life, and I'm confident you'll enjoy reading her response to the chapters. Happy reading!

Feeling a sense of religious “homelessness” myself, it was hard to read this chapter and not feel a little self conscious as Rayna talked about her experiences in Suzanne’s church. While I have never gone to a service outside of my own faith, I can only imagine the awkwardness that Rayna and Suzanne felt on Easter. Then I thought of Rayna’s kids and how they already have questions regarding faith, and how that experience probably raised more questions. I also feel, though, like it was a really good experience overall for them to see different faiths, know they exist, and that it’s ok for people to have views other than their own. I think that is a powerful thing for children to see so that they will begin to understand its importance.

I have always needed to look at things a little more inquisitively. At the age of seven, I asked my dad if it was ok to have doubts and questions about God (as I had found out months prior that there were other religions out there other than what I was raised to believe in). His response was, “No. If you don’t believe in God and that he is the only one, you won’t go to Heaven with me and Mom and Grandma and Grandpa when you die.” Obviously, the thought of not being with my family scared me beyond words, but it also made me wonder why this one God was better than anyone else’s. My dad could never really answer that question. I always wondered how many other kids had these questions growing up.

This book has solidified for me that religion can be really confusing for kids, and while we can’t always answer all the questions they have, it is our job as educators to make sure they know that their family’s beliefs and cultures are recognized. And since most schools are secular and prohibit any religious affiliation, it is so important that we recognize our children’s families in other ways. For example, having family nights, cultural potlucks, or weekly family boards where every week a different student/family is highlighted and recognized in the classroom. These are just a few of the ways that we can acknowledge and appreciate all the different families.

One part of the reading that I think will stick with me for a long time is “The Paper Bag Story” Priscilla retold from her father. It made me appreciate my life and my own set of problems, and how even though everyone has their own set of problems, I wouldn’t want anyone else’s. We are each an expert on ourselves. I feel that at times I can’t handle or don’t want my own problems, but there are people out there with a lot more as well as a lot less, and I wouldn’t give mine up for theirs.

Overall this book has given me insights into not only other religions and cultures but into the perceptions and insecurities of those inside my own religion. This has made me appreciate the time that these women spent hashing it out together and the time I can spend with the strong women in my family and the insights they can and do give me on a regular basis. And for that I am truly grateful.

“Could You Convert?” & “Oh, Where are you God?”

This is PK, the author of our first entry on chapters 6 and 7, with her younger brother, Bee. She said they were at the airport to pic up her uncle, and she thinks she was about 8 years old. I think you'll appreciate what she has to say here -- so happy reading!

I am enjoying this book so far and know the upcoming chapters will be just as interesting. I was inspired by the Paper Bag Story and how Priscilla mentioned that life was about taking “leaps of faith.” When we think of children in these terms, we know that they are risk takers and face many challenges before they develop a sense of trust and independence.

Reading about the Paper Bag story made me realize that life is in fact like a paper bag. It’s about dealing with your problems, big or small, and realizing you wouldn’t have it any other way, because you don’t know what others are having to deal with. At times we tend to over exaggerate our problems and then we hear about someone else’s problems, realizing ours aren’t that bad after all. The Paper Bag analogy is something worth sharing and remembering. It serves as a reminder that your challenges are unique, and you are the only one who will be able to overcome them.

While adults may have many challenges of their own, children also feel the pressure. Their developing selves can be a challenge. As they become aware of their abilities, feelings and environment, it can be overwhelming. Erikson’s developmental theory can best describe these challenges. One critical period in their lives includes the stage of autonomy versus shame and doubt. Children learn to hold on to their achievements and let go of their failures. Success in this stage allows the child to develop a sense of autonomy. For instance, if a child is ridiculed and punished every time he spills his milk, he’ll start to doubt his abilities and feel ashamed. He might continue to apply this view to other tasks he performs. If he was encouraged instead of punished, he would soon master the task and feel competent. Big or small, children face challenges they must learn to deal with and overcome.

I remember that as a child, the thought of learning how to ride a bicycle seemed impossible. No one held my bike for me. I got on and just started pedaling. I fell a couple times, ran into curbs, trees, and even my siblings, all before I learned how to steer my wheels. It was difficult at first, but I learned it. Every child needs opportunities like this.

This chapter couldn’t have ended on a better note. I agree with Priscilla that life is indeed about taking leaps of faith. Learning is a big part of life, which also comes with taking risks. I can see how hard it must have been to feel so uncertain and lost. Perhaps the Paper Bag Story led her to the conclusion that challenges were only opportunities to take a leap of faith. Having said this, we can all agree that children are the greatest risk takers! We see it right in front of our eyes, as they learn to jump, skip, go up and down the stairs and make new friends.

I am excited and look forward to my readings. I know that every chapter will give me greater insight on the many wonders of life. I find these women and their stories to be inspirational. The impact of their stories, at times, includes the emotions of hurt, shock, and sadness. Although this chapter didn’t mention much about children, it was easy to make the connections, because like adults, they must learn to adapt to their environment.

Our Differences Make Us the Same

This handsome little guy (the one with the great smile) is the son of KaBao, the author of our final entry on chapter 5. She said he was playing with this other boy in a mall play area. She explained that, she wants "to teach him that everyone looks and acts differently, but they can all play together. Their similarities will help them to continue sharing about their differences."

I think I might have been smiling like her son when I read her entry, and I think you'll enjoy it, too.

In chapter five, the girls confronted each other about their own stereotypes about each other. Suzanne’s confession letter was a brave move, I thought. It is often difficult to confront others about our own feelings when we know that it will hurt the other person. The girls gathered together to settle their issues because if they wanted to continue with the faith club, they would have to let their own stereotypes go.

This chapter helped me realize that stereotyping happens all the time. As a child, I never realized that it existed because no one told me directly what their stereotypes of me were. I remember that in elementary school, my fellow classmates would always want to sit by me during our math sessions. I never thought that they were stereotyping me until now, really. That Asians are naturally good in math was the stereotype. My classmates always complimented how easily I understood the problems and wanted to be my friends. For once in my life, I felt like I belonged. I was so pleased by the thought of having friends that the stereotypes blew right past my head. My family moved around so much during my childhood that I never had friends. Having this group of kids become my friends because I was good in one subject seemed reasonable at the moment.

This chapter also reminded me of being stereotyped by kids who were from the same ethnic background. Some of the girls in school picked on me because I seemed to be “white-washed.” Yes, I agree that my parents spoke to me in English more than the rest, bought brand-name materials for me, and we were not as traditional as the majority, but that did not mean I was whitewashed. It made me not want to befriend my own kind so I never really had Hmong friends until the eighth grade.

I agree with what Suzanne said – that being from a majority group does not mean that she is unable to connect to some of the feelings that a minority group might have. People have minority groups that they can belong to even if they are the majority. To me, this means that everyone has problems in their lives, and though some are more devastating than others, they are all struggles. For example, I grew up with enough income so I had no problem skipping out on meals while others only had one meal per day. One thing I always tell people who stereotyped me is that my parents worked so hard to make sure we had everything we wanted that we hardly saw them throughout the day. Some of my peers never had that longing for their parents because their parents were always home when they were home. I struggled through my childhood waiting for my parents to come home from their long shifts so I could get my goodnight kiss before bedtime. Even though we seemed to have a good life, it did not mean that our life was perfect. We never know what goes on behind closed doors so before we stereotype, we should allow ourselves to get to know one another.

This point also goes with my next thought about child development. I want to encourage young children to understand their differences and similarities. Learning that at a younger age is more beneficial because I believe that it will prevent them from stereotyping each other. The reading has inspired me to point out not only what our similarities are but our differences as well. I am beginning to think that it is our differences that make us similar. We all are different in many ways and somehow that makes us very similar, if that makes any sense at all. The reading also inspired me to not judge different groups of people because I may unknowingly be talking about them directly to them. Sometimes we do and say things without thinking, not realizing how hurtful those things can be for others. If we can teach young children to accept differences in life, there will not be so many hate groups in the world.

Marking the Race Box on that Form

This is Ritchiel, the author of our third entry on chapter 5. She said this is the only picture she currently has of herself as a child, as all of her other pictures are back in her home country, the Philippines. She is pictured here with her sisters. Happy reading!


My first confrontation with racial issues was when I was in the first grade. My class was taking a standardized test for the state and one of the items before starting the test required me to state my ethnicity. I remember staring at this question for a long time, even having difficulty answering it. As the teacher proceeded to make her rounds through the classroom she noticed I had paused at a particular question. She proceeded to look over my shoulder to see what I was struggling with, then without hesitation she told me to choose Asian. Later that day I went home and asked my mother what it was that I should have stated on the test. I recall her exact words: “Honey, you have the right to decline that answer.” Being seven years old and having just moved to the United States from the Philippines, I did not fully understand my mother at the time. I never thought it was so important to label yourself by your ethnic background. Now I realize the resentment and tone of voice that accompanied those words. I can not fully relate to my mother’s childhood experiences, but I know that for me this first encounter with ethnicity was only the beginning.

From reading The Faith Club, it is clear that stereotyping can have effects on not only adults but on children as well. Many of the authors’ experiences and encounters with racism involved their children. One child’s reaction to crude behavior toward her race was, “You should have said something, Mommy” (p.71). The mother’s silence and resentment reminded me of my own mother’s reaction when I asked her what race I was. I believe a child’s first confrontation with race sets the stage for him/her later on in life. I remember resenting my race and nationality; growing up I just wanted to be a part of the majority, not be different from everyone else.

I think as adults it is important to keep in mind that children’s minds are developing and absorbing everything in their microsystems. I believe in keeping an open mind and letting children pick their friends. One of the ladies from the story shared that she did not have any friends outside her own culture. It shocked me to realize that I too could also relate to this statement. Most of my high school friends were Filipinos, and it was not until I entered college that my world views on different cultures started to change. Basically I think our parents have the biggest influence on where we stand in acknowledging our own culture.

Reading this chapter has sparked my interest in the development of children of different races. Could it be that other children share a similar story to mine, and do they also experience resentment toward their own race? Or maybe they had a pleasant experience?

What exactly was your first introduction to your ethnic background?

Being Stereotyped

Misti has written our second entry on chapter 5, and is what she said about her photo: "This is my Daddy Guido and me. Yes, Guido, like the name. No, not Guido like the 'Jersey Shore'-inspired stereotype...I was 2 years old. We were at Micky's grove in Stockton, which is like Storyland here in Fresno." Misti has shared quite a bit of insight here about stereotypes, so happy reading!


Chapter five was the chapter about stereotypes. These categories that we place people into may not seem offensive to us, but the moment we say them we may offend someone we care about without trying. In this chapter, Ranya, Suzanne, and Priscilla discuss the stereotypes that they hold about each others' religions. This ultimately brings them closer, but the beginning of the process stirs a huge emotional response and causes the women to look deeper into their personal beliefs about Christianity, Judaism, and Islam.

I think that this process was necessary in order to bring the women closer and make them more comfortable discussing sensitive subjects with each other. In class we did a prejudice reduction workshop that essentially opened our class up to the discussion of sensitive subjects such as our own cultural backgrounds. After that exercise, I was most interested in learning about the groups that I was least knowledgeable about. I agree with Ranya that most Americans view the common beliefs about Islam as truth rather than stereotypes. The typecasting that she commonly faces are based more on the ignorance people have surrounding Islam. Most people face the labels from prejudicial jokes rather than actual ignorance about a culture.

As a child I did not face as many religious or cultural stereotypes as I do now. Now that shows like "Jersey Shore" are popular, all Italians are viewed as being that way. I want people to understand that being called a Guido or Guidette is not offensive to me, but the characteristics that come along with the name are. My dad’s name is Guido and he is not a “Juice Head” or a “Gorilla,” but he is a biker, and I am sure that he would rather be stereotyped into that category because it is one of his passions. We are more willing to accept jokes that come along with a choice we have made in our life rather than something that we were born with, like ethnicity.

Reading this chapter made me think about how a child learns to stereotype. A child notices differences in a purely observational way. Adults give children the language to not only see those differences as positive or negative, but also to view their own characteristics as superior. Stereotyping is a learned behavior and by teaching children to be culturally competent, we can teach children to also avoid stereotyping. As Child Development majors, we have discussed many things about learned behaviors in children, but we often talk about the positive learned behaviors. I realize that learned behaviors are not all positive; in fact, some learned behaviors are hurtful.

I believe it is up to teachers, caretakers, and parents to teach children to be accepting of others and curious about beliefs different than their own. When I have children of my own, and a career working with children, I would like to encourage them to be curious. Children should feel free to ask questions and learn about the cultures surrounding them. The more children feel comfortable to ask, the better their language will become when talking about differences. They will establish the vocabulary necessary to discuss differences between people without offending anyone.

The women in this book face stereotypes within their own small group. This chapter makes me wonder how their parenting skills changed after their discussion. Did the women talk to their children about combating stereotypes and overcoming the stereotypical beliefs we have about others?

Confronting Stereotypes

If you look carefully, you'll see the author of our first entry on chapter 5 tucked in here with all these cute children -- it's Jacqueline. She said, "This is a picture that was taken on one of my Missionary trips with my Christian Church. We went to Mexico and built two houses and tried to teach the children who live in poverty about God. I really enjoy traveling with my church and trying to reach people who have lost faith or do not know about God." As you read her entry, you'll see that she's really intrigued by the authors' journey to understand each other and their various religions. Enjoy!

Stereotyping happens all the time, but I never thought about the person’s feelings or thoughts about being stereotyped. I think that is was a good idea for Priscilla, Ranya, and Suzanne to discuss their stereotypes about each others' religions. Although it seemed to cause upset, it made me realize that it is better to talk about it with someone who is from the religion you are stereotyping. This way you are more likely to gain a better understanding of what you are saying about a religion you know nothing about.

I cannot believe that Suzanne wrote her thoughts about Jews in a letter and gave it to Priscilla. It was very brave of her to express her feelings towards Jews. I thought of my own religion and how I have been stereotyped by some of my family members as well as some of my friends in elementary school.

Growing up I was raised Catholic by my mother’s side of the family. It was a very strict upbringing for my brother and me. Every Sunday we went to church and it was boring. I remember that nothing the priest said made any sense and he seemed to just be reading the bible. I did what all Catholics do: get baptized, make your first communion, then your confirmation. I honestly never fit in with my religion; once I was in high school I switched my religion to Christian. I finally found where I could believe in something I felt was right for myself, and I understood my Preacher a lot better than I ever did a Priest.

I think people should be aware what they say or even think about others. I felt like Ranya and Priscilla were very aware that their religions are in the minority. I grew up with mostly Catholics and when I switched religions, I felt like I no longer belonged. I had to explain to my family that I always felt like I was in the wrong religion. They eventually accepted it, but there are still times when my siblings make a joke or stereotype Christians in front of me. It is hurtful, but it makes me realize that I am proud of my religion and I know in my heart that I am where I belong. I tell people who question or make fun of my religion that I am in the right religion that fits me, just as they are in one that fits them.

One day I hope to become a Marriage Family Therapist. And I know that I am going to encounter children who come from many different religions and cultures. I think reading this book has opened my eyes to the fact that I live in a country with a variety of religions. I know that I need to learn more about other people’s religions because one day I am going to have to help someone who is not from the same religion as me. It would be amazing if this country would accept all religions and not stereotype them as we still do. I cannot imagine what children go through in elementary schools when they are from a religion that is in the minority.

Varying Perspectives on Faith

In the first few weeks of class, students brought "cultural objects" from home to share with their small groups as well as the class. I had explained that for the purpose of this class, the cultural object should be something that is not only something they personally cherish, but that, for them, it represents their family culture. I will eventually post some photos of these objects as well as explanations of them here on the blog, but for now, can share Eriko's cultural object: the kimono. This is Eriko and her brother, and she chose to include this photo with her blog entry since she'd shared the kimono as her cultural object. At the bottom of the entry, you'll also see a photo of Eriko's family (her dad, mom, sister, and brother) at her cousin's wedding. Eriko's mom is wearing a kimono, and Eriko thought it would be nice for us to see a child and an adult in the kimono. I think she was right!

And I also think you'll really appreciate her perspectives on chapter 3 and 4 -- our last entry on those chapters. Enjoy!


Due to the fact that I was not raised in a family where a strong religion or belief was a part of life, this topic of religion is difficult for me to understand. So it was awkward and confusing for me to read the book “Faith Club.” I grew up with a family who is not religious, and having strong religion is not common in my community. Therefore, I never had any conversation with my parents about what to believe or what not to believe, or the idea of God and a place where we would go after death.

As a child, I did not know about Jesus Christ or the Jewish faith, and I also had no idea what religion teaches and leads us to. Therefore, the concept of Christianity, Judaism, and Islam as well as some information about religious terms such as Passover Seder, Pharisee, Semitism, etc. discussed throughout “Faith Club” were all new to me; I could not understand such terms without the dictionary. The schools I attended as a little child did not care much about religion. I learned some general information about the types of religions demographically, but information I learned in school did not stay long in my memory because I thought the knowledge about religion was not important, and was not useful and helpful for me. However, Priscilla, Ranya, and Suzanne are completely opposite and have had very different experiences in their lives. They have strong beliefs, and those beliefs are part of their lives.

It is obvious that people have different cultures, ethnicities, and religions in the United States and this makes people unique. However, it is not simple for those who have different religions and beliefs to work together and have the same goals. It is not easy to understand, accept, or appreciate profoundly different religions, especially if the different religions have a history of feuds or war. It can be expected that there may arise a conflict over the different beliefs and ideas.

In the chapters, there was a conflict and an argument between Priscilla and Suzanne about Jesus’ crucifixion. Suzanne is a Christian and she thought the story of the crucifixion was fascinating and essential to learn. On the other hand, Priscilla is a Jew and she had a bad experience being discriminated against related to Judaism in the past. Since then, she became very sensitive about anything related to Judaism. So when Suzanne was talking about how Jesus Christ was crucified, Priscilla was upset and defensive toward Suzanne’s explanation about the crucifixion. Two different women have very different perspectives about their own religions. It is normal for those different people to disagree with each other; however, it is not easy to understand each different perspective and disagreement. Suzanne tried to understand what Priscilla had been through as a Jew: how Jewish people feel about Jesus Christ, and how hard it must be to get over being called “Christ killers” or being told “Jews were the people responsible for the death of Jesus.” Finally she understood why Priscilla was very sensitive and obsessed with the meaning of the crucifixion, and what it means to her. She tried to acquire more knowledge about Judaism to understand Priscilla. Priscilla also tried to understand and respect Suzanne’s perspective. As both of them learned more about Jesus Christ and Judaism, their perceptions and knowledge became wider and deeper than before. As a result, they could accept and respect each others' perceptions.

As Priscilla learned more about Jesus Christ, her attitude toward Jesus Christ was gradually changing, and the fear she used to have was diminished. However, her son was confused and was not comfortable with his mother’s change. It seemed to be hard for him to accept his mother’s change because she used to hate Jesus Christ and be anti-Christian. However, now she was watching TV shows about Jesus Christ and learning about him, and she seemed comfortable with the change.

I understand the feelings of confusion, upset, anxiety and discomfort that her son felt. He might feel as if he was betrayed because it seemed like whatever he had seen during his childhood was wrong. It is not easy for him to adjust his idea of what he had been taught and knowing that Jesus Christ was taboo to Jews, and it is hard for him to accept the reality that his mother has now become more comfortable with Christians and Jesus Christ. This change in his mother caused fear and discomfort. So it is important for Priscilla to show her understanding with her son. It is also essential to encourage him to learn about different religions in depth so that his understanding will be much better and deeper.

In order to reduce conflict or to understand differences, it is important to seek knowledge and be aware of differences. If we could successfully accept disagreements showing our respect toward differences, we could have a goal to achieve; as a result, we could avoid a conflict. Indeed, Priscilla and Suzanne did succeed. We do not have to try to change what we believe or what others believe; instead, we can foster our knowledge and respect the differences by learning more about cultures and religions. We are then able to view and feel the world differently, and our lives would be more fun and wonderful.

Confronting Misconceptions

Ashleigh is the author of our latest entry on chapters 3 and 4. This is her as a child with her family. Happy reading!

Ranya is scared to be in New York because she is a Muslim and it is after September 11th. I am not able to relate to her because I am not a Muslim. I do not feel in danger because of September 11th, but it is a scary thing to think about. It is sad that people sometimes do not feel comfortable living their day-to-day lives because of a tragedy. If I were her I would be scared too, because no innocent person wants to be targeted because someone in their ethnic group did something bad.

I thought it was interesting how the three women each shared a story from their faith. They understand that things happened long ago in each of their religions and do not hold that against anyone. I feel that these women are able to overcome problems in their religions. They realize that they have things in there faiths that help them become stronger and closer. I think in today’s day and age it might be somewhat difficult to find people who are receptive to hearing and talking about different religions. Most people are indifferent to religions other than their own. In my case, I did not know that at the beginning and end of a Muslim prayer, they wish peace with Jews and Christians. I think that is really very nice and unfortunately this vital piece of information is not generally known. I had preconceptions about Muslims and thought they really only focus on themselves and do not welcome other religions. It is nice to know more about the Muslim religion.

The part in the book about the Crucifixion was really meaningful to me because I am Christian, and I related to that story more than the stories about Jews and Muslims. The reason for that is because I do not know as much about Jews and Muslims as I do about Christians. It is really sad to me that Jesus was crucified because of his teachings. I do not think anyone should have to go through what Jesus went through. I believe that every religion has its particular way to worship God. Therefore one religion is not better than another. People practice their religion because they have been either born into a family practicing that religion, or as adults, might even decide to embrace another religion after they have studied their teachings. In my case I was born into a Catholic family but I feel more comfortable being a Christian.

When the story of the crucifixion was brought up, Priscilla felt it was anti-Jewish. She felt that when Suzanne said “Christ killer” (p.39), that it related to Jews, and Priscilla did not like that. Priscilla wanted Suzanne to remove the story of the crucifixion, but Suzanne refused to do so. I do not think that just because someone is not happy with what happened in someone’s religion, people should forget the event. What happened in history and in different religions is important to different people and those people want to share and commemorate those events. I know that Suzanne did not intend to offend Priscilla. Suzanne said what I agree with, that “It never crossed her mind to hold Jewish people responsible for Jesus’s death” (p. 41). When I think of the crucifixion I do not automatically get upset at Jewish people; I do not usually associate this with Jewish people. It happened because a group of intolerant rabbis [Pharisees] were so against Jesus that they convinced Pontius Pilate to order His execution as a common criminal.

Faithful Entry

Nicole wrote our second entry for chapters 3 and 4, and this is a photo of her when she graduated from Cuesta College before coming to Fresno State. She is with her best friend, who, she said, "is also my boyfriend." You'll enjoy her post!

In chapters 3 and 4, the women start talking more in-depth about their religion than in the first two chapters. Priscilla talks about her fear of living in New York. She tries to justify being a real New Yorker because she fears that terrorists will try to knock New York off the map. Ever since the September 11 terrorist attacks, she has not been riding the train due to fear of bombings on the train. She continues to try to justify driving a car to work every day. Her husband takes the train 3 hours a day and to her, it’s more justifiable for her kids to lose one parent, rather than two.

I can relate to having a strong fear, and for me, my fear was of living as a Christian and not being baptized. I always wanted to be baptized but I never was as a child. When I was 21, I started going to a Christian church in San Luis Obispo. I would attend every Sunday. They had two services and one was in the morning and the other was in the afternoon. I was so involved in the church I would go to cell groups, which were led by higher up church leaders. On the weekends I would go on trips to learn about God at other churches. I felt uncomfortable around these people because they were all baptized as children. They all encouraged me to get baptized at 21 years old. I felt that this was even more awkward because I thought you could only be baptized as a baby. I was wrong. My church pastor and cell leader convinced me to get baptized. They held a special baptism for people who had never been baptized, or wanted to wash away their sins and start a new life. It was a great feeling to be able to finally feel like I was living my life for God.

The ladies also got together to talk about what they wanted to put in the book. The Christian woman, Suzanne, said that she wanted to talk about the crucifixion of Christ. When Suzanne was finished telling the story according to her faith, Priscilla was offended because in Suzanne’s story, the Jews were the ones who wanted Jesus to be crucified.

I never really knew the Jewish faith. I was raised in a small town where everyone knew each other. There were a few Jewish and Mormon families in the area. Still, the schools celebrated holidays like Halloween, Christmas, and Valentine’s Day without even thinking about the other faiths. I didn’t realize it then but some of the children of these other faiths skipped class on the days we had parties. There were also those children that were bicultural individuals and still came to class the day of these events. They participated in the same holiday activities at school with the rest of the students, but were able to still go home and give faith to their god.

I am now a little jealous of these students who were not of the mainstream culture. They were able to gain the skills of being culturally competent that I am trying to learn right now. Having this knowledge and these skills is so important today. We come from a world of different faiths. The Faith Club is also a great way for others to learn about what people of other faiths are feeling. For instance, when Suzanne started to write about the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and Priscilla got offended, she learned that there were some things she might have said that other people might take offensive to, so she rewrote it. At the same time Priscilla was mad that Suzanne wrote this, but was trying to be more understanding as to why she wrote that. The next week they got together, Suzanne had rewritten her story and Priscilla came in ready to be more understanding. In the end both ladies were satisfied with each other’s view points and understood that was just their faith.

This is a picture of Nicole with a few of her friends -- and Santa!