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By Holly Meyer and David Crary |
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By Holly Meyer and David Crary |
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Dear World of Faith readers,
This week, we introduce you to a 101-year-old Auschwitz survivor who has made fighting hate her life’s mission, and we explore how the quest for dark matter not only drive’s scientific inquiry, but philosophical and spiritual conversations as well. From Chile, we report on the devout Catholic faith of the new president, José Antonio Kast. |
Ginette Kolinka, a 101-year-old survivor of Auschwitz, smiles after meeting with pupils at a high school in Saint-Maur-des-Fosses, outside Paris. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus) |
With Spielberg's help, a 101-year-old Auschwitz survivor has become a mighty warrior against hate |
A 101-year-old survivor of Auschwitz has, with help from Steven Spielberg, become a mighty warrior against antisemitism in France. With books, media appearances and school visits, Ginette Kolinka has devoted the later part of her long life to sharing her firsthand insight of murderous hatred and inhumanity. Read more.
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Kolinka credits Spielberg for helping to precipitate her decision 30 years ago to start opening up about the mental and physical scars that she buried for decades, the survivor's guilt that tormented her, the eternal regret of goodbye kisses that she didn't get to give to her family.
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After the 1992 release of “Schindler’s List,” Spielberg launched a foundation to collect testimonies from Holocaust survivors. When it contacted Kolinka, she was reticent, replying that talking to her would be a waste of time, she recounts in “Return to Birkenau,” her memoir.
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But when its interviewer then sat down with her, in 1997, out the memories flowed, for nearly three hours. Tears, too. The foundation says it has since collected more than 60,000 testimonies and is still gathering more.
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In wrangling dark matter, some scientists find inspiration in the Torah, Krishna and Christ |
Dark matter and dark energy are mysteries that have confounded scientists for decades, even though they comprise 95% of the universe's mass. Such concepts have also sparked spiritual and philosophical conversations – inspirational to some scientists, cringeworthy to others. Several astronomers and physicists who have researched these topics describe faith as inspiring, not conflicting with their scientific inquiry. Read more.
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Across faith and spiritual traditions, there is mention of invisible worlds, dimensions and entities reminiscent of dark matter and dark energy. But scientists say such stories and interpretations are better not taken literally but used as inspiration to explore different approaches to today's scientific puzzles.
For Adam Frank, a Zen Buddhist, the true link between science and spiritual endeavor is the awe they instill. “Whether it’s the poetry of your scripture that you love or the beauty of the equations you are deriving, they’re both calls toward that feeling,” he said.
Adam Hincks, a Jesuit priest who teaches at the University of Toronto and serves as an adjunct scholar at the Vatican Observatory, believes that for some, contemplating dark matter and dark energy could elevate their minds to God.
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Chile’s new president brings openly religious views to a changing country |
José Antonio Kast is a devout Catholic in a country that has grown increasingly secular but retains conservative traits in various areas. His faith resonates with some supporters, even as analysts say it may shape — but not immediately change — policy on issues such as abortion and LGBTQ+ rights. Kast — who took office on March 11 — won 58% of the vote after pledging to crack down on crime and deport immigrants without legal status. Read more.
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As a staunchly conservative lawmaker, the 60-year-old father of nine opposed the sale of emergency contraceptive pills. He has also spoken out against same-sex marriage and abortion.
- Kast belongs to Schoenstatt, an international Catholic movement devoted to the Virgin Mary.
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In Chile, according to a 2024 survey, about 45% of the population identified as Catholic while 37% said they had no religion and about 12% identified as Protestant.
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