This week: A simple twist of faith. Edited by: Carol St.Ann  
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2025 was a little bit bumpy. In someways, I’m am not sorry to see it go. But I have hope. So I will use this space to extend my warmest holiday wishes for all of you, my writing.com compatriots, that this is a blessed and joyful and loving holiday time. Enjoy every minute and  shower the people you love with love. |
It occurs to me every year at this time, that the greatest mysteries in life revolve around faith. So many of our beliefs and religions speak to our everlasting souls and our purpose, and our before life purposes and after life destinies. Many believe in forgiveness, while many rely on revenge, avenging, and karma.
Some believe this life itself is penance or even hell. Others believe our animalistic urges excuse everything, be it deemed good or bad; divine or evil.
While I am personally well-versed in the Christian Bible, and indeed consider myself a dedicated student, I remain at the novice level even at 65 years of studies. I’ve gleaned some knowledge of the Talmud and the Torah and the Quran through friends, neighbors, and colleagues. I know some, but very little about Buddhism and Hindu.
I’m going to include a list of faith-beliefs below that I found online. *To be sure I did not create this list or write it. I found it online and cut and pasted it here below.*
In any mystery I have ever written or read, some kind of personal creed or belief plays a part. From the best of us to the worst of us, we all have some kind of personal idiom, belief, code, ethic, or moral value. These have to be birthed in us somehow. Most of the people I know, follow the religion or faith of their parents and their ancestors. Some are on a personal spiritual journey and deviate far from the faith in which they grew up. But I don’t believe there’s a single human being that doesn’t believe in something, be it good or evil. I think we all long to know there’s something more.
I’ve seen and heard about some interesting cases where a person‘s faith and belief give credence and understanding to an otherwise incomprehensible deed. Would you consider such an incident for a mystery story you might be writing? When you create your characters, do they follow your faith by default? Have you ever thought about that? Do you give them a belief system of their own?
I’m learning to try this twist-of-faiths idea in my writing. And gaining a bit of knowledge, but stunning amount of understanding. Though it is slow, it is profound.
My Gift to you this 2025 season is this list. May you be blessed.
For your consideration, here is the far-from-comprehensive, but interesting list I mentioned.
Major World Religions (The "Big Four" + Others)
* Christianity: Largest religion, with denominations like Catholicism, Protestantism, Orthodoxy.
* Islam: Second largest, with major branches (Sunni, Shia) and Sufism.
* Hinduism: Ancient traditions, often polytheistic or henotheistic.
* Buddhism: Focuses on enlightenment, with traditions like Theravada, Mahayana, Zen.
* Judaism: Monotheistic, foundation of Abrahamic faiths (Orthodox, Reform, Conservative).
* Sikhism: Monotheistic, founded by Guru Nanak.
* Taoism (Daoism): Chinese philosophy and religion focused on the Tao.
* Confucianism: Chinese ethical and philosophical system.
* Shinto: Indigenous Japanese spirituality.
* Jainism: Indian religion emphasizing non-violence (ahimsa).
* Baháʼí Faith: Monotheistic religion promoting unity of religions and humanity.
* Zoroastrianism: Ancient Persian religion, dualistic.
Other Significant & Indigenous Faiths
* African Traditional Religions: Diverse systems like Yoruba, Vodou (Voodoo).
* Chinese Folk Religions: Blends of Taoism, Buddhism, Confucianism, ancestor worship.
* Indigenous Religions: Native American, Australian Aboriginal, Shamanism, Animism.
* Neopaganism: Wicca, Celtic Polytheism, Hellenism, Heathenism.
* Rastafari: Jamaican movement with Abrahamic roots.
* Scientology: New religious movement.
* Unitarian Universalism: Non-creedal faith.
Philosophical & Non-Theistic Views
* Atheism/Agnosticism/Humanism: Lack of belief or uncertainty about deities.
See you next month.
Carol St.Ann 
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Mystery: December 24, 2025 Issue [#13511]
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