Unlocking the Mason Mystique
- play show:
Date: 24 September 2009
The Not-So-Secret World of the Freemasons
Dan Brown clearly loves religion – really mysterious religion, like his portrayal of the Catholic group Opus Dei in The Da Vinci Code. But then, groups accused of being religious will do just as well. His new novel, The Lost Symbol, offers a semi-truthful peek inside the Freemasons, who has been accused of everything from conspiring with extra-terrestrials to placing secret symbols on dollar bills. Though the reality is a lot less strange, some faith traditions continue to have bad feelings about the fraternity. Christopher Hodapp, a Freemason for 11 years, debunks the myths.
Pictured: the Square and Compasses, the most recognized emblem of Freemasonry.
Christopher Hodapp, author of Freemasons For Dummies
A Year Alone, Very Alone
Begins at 22 min 56 sec
In February of 2001, Bob Kull arrived on the Chilean island where he would live for a full year by himself. By the end of that year, he gained spiritual insight, peace of mind -- and ultimately a Ph.D. Kull shares stories of twelve months of solitude, from injury, to losing track of time, to fearing he might not make it back alive.
Bob Kull, author of Solitude: Seeking Wisdom in Extremes: A Year Alone in the Patagonia Wilderness
Elevating the Soul Through Self Control
Begins at 32 min 25 sec
Religious believers are more likely to exercise, visit the dentist and wear seat belts. That's according to a new study from researchers at the University of Miami, who say that having faith in a higher power increases a key personality trait: self control. Our story first aired in February 2009.
Michael McCullough, professor of psychology and religious studies at the University of Miami
The Domestic Crusaders
Begins at 42 min 57 sec
In many ways, The Domestic Crusaders is a typical kitchen drama, full of laughter and tears. But it's also a theatrical pioneer. Centered around a day in the life of a Muslim-American family, its focus is explosive dialogue, not bombs and terrorist caricatures. Asma Khalid was there for its opening weekend and brings us this story.
Produced by Asma Khalid
Soundscapes: Aum
Begins at 49 min 14 sec
In our third installment of our series on sacred sounds, we listen to the eternal hum said to contain the essence of the entire universe: the Hindu Aum.
Shubha Pathak, professor of religion at American University
