Ep 1. Latino Converts to Islam; John Unger; Shinnyo Lanterns

Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly season 18 episode 1 features three segments exploring different themes related to religion and ethics. In the first segment, the show investigates the growing number of Latino converts to Islam. Through interviews with several Latino Muslims, the segment sheds light on the reasons behind this trend, including a desire for a deeper spiritual connection and a sense of community. The segment also addresses some of the challenges that Latino Muslims face, including discrimination and the pressure to choose between their Latino and Muslim identities.

The second segment profiles John Unger, a West Virginia man whose friendship with his dog, Schoep, went viral after a photograph of the two of them floating in a lake went viral. Unger opens up about his struggles with depression and how Schoep helped him find purpose and hope during a difficult time in his life. The segment concludes with Unger discussing the legacy he hopes to leave behind through his work with animals.

In the final segment, the show explores the tradition of Shinnyo Lanterns in Japan. These lanterns represent the Buddhist concept of a lantern offering, in which the light represents spiritual illumination. The segment features interviews with members of the Shinnyo-en Buddhist community and highlights the significance of the lanterns for their spiritual practice, as well as the broader social and cultural importance of the tradition.

Throughout the episode, Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly seeks to foster a deeper understanding of different religious and ethical traditions, as well as the ways in which they intersect with other aspects of people's lives. From exploring the Muslim faith in Latino communities to highlighting the power of human-animal relationships and the cultural significance of spiritual objects, this episode invites viewers to reflect on the diverse ways in which spirituality and ethics shape our world.