Christmas Visualization: Metadata

What is metadata? A Christmas themed exploration. By Bonnie Swoger | December 17, 2012 | Scientific American On the same shelf:

Well-formed data: A star for your christmas tree December 16th, 2007

Seeing Standards: A Visualization of the Metadata Universe, 06/30/2010 -- Indiana University Libraries have produced a beautiful visualization of metadata standards, comprising what they term “the metadata universe."[source]

Seeing Standards: A Visualization of the Metadata Universe - Places & Spaces: Mapping Science

2008 Proc. Int’l Conf. on Dublin Core and Metadata Applications

Dublin Core Metadata applied to Websites in Cyber Worship in Multifaith Perspectives

Nash Papyrus Digitized: Ancient Copy of Ten Commandments Goes Online

Extract:
By Stoyan Zaimov , Christian Post Reporter
The Cambridge University Library in the U.K. has released a copy of the Ten Commandments dating back two millennia in what is one of the oldest known manuscripts from the Old Testament.
"Cambridge University Library preserves works of great importance to faith traditions and communities around the world," University Librarian Anne Jarvis said in a statement. continue reading

See also:

Cambridge Digital Library

Mapping the religious wonders of North and South America

Note: CNN found 8 wonders (8 religious wonders to see in the U.S.), and there may be many more depending on the selection or range or more to emerge in the multifaith mosaic of America. No wonder a comment at CNN "missing are: National Cathedral and the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C." Another comment at Newser: "Compared with the cathedrals one can see in Europe, complete with incredible art, calling these marvels is a bit of a stretch.." Yet another comment at Newser: "The archaic structures are very beautiful, and I've always loved Gothic architecture. there's a GORGEOUS Hindu temple down the street from my house. It looks like a giant sand castle. shown here...i cant believe it didn't make the list: Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Lilburn, Georgia

8 Religious Wonders of the American World
This article originally appeared on CNN. Extract:

By Marina Csomor – People visit Jerusalem for the rich history, interwoven religious narratives and crumbling holy walls. They visit Europe for ornate churches with painted ceilings and golden trim. They visit India for peace of mind, finding serenity in its carved and colorful temples scattered along the sacred Ganges River.
But people rarely travel the U.S. in search of such sanctuaries. After all, what religious wisdom could America, a country still in its youth at 236 years old, have to offer?
Although the country may not have a reputation for religious landmarks, America is home to more than just secular city halls and strip malls. Whether or not you practice a faith, visiting these beautiful and historic U.S. religious spots may provide inspiration.

Bahá’í House of Worship in Wilmette, Illinois

Hsi Lai Temple in Hacienda Heights, California

Islamic Center of America in Dearborn, Michigan

Memorial Presbyterian Church in St. Augustine, Florida

Temple Emanu-El in New York City

Palace of Gold in Moundsville, West Virginia

Salt Lake Temple in Salt Lake City, Utah

St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City continue reading @ mysticpolitics.com or @ Newser

5 Religious Marvels in America, SiliconIndia
Extract:

Bangalore: India is globally recognized as the 'Land of Temples' and Indians are known to be immensely fanatic about their religion. Even though America is not so renowned for its religious landmarks, there are few outstanding shrines in the U.S. which draws people from various parts of the world. Here is a list if 5 religious marvels in U.S., as listed by in CNN by Marina Csomor-

The Bahai House of Worship

Hsi Lai Temple in Hacienda Heights, California

Islamic Center of America in Dearborn

Memorial Presbyterian Church

Salt Lake Temple
continue reading @ SiliconIndia

Graphic : A demographic breakdown of the world of religion image courtesy: Graphic religion

Canada:

Hindu Mandir, Dollard des Ormeaux, Québec -- more here: Québec’s attractions: Religious heritage

Swaminarayan Mandir, Toronto

Jame Abu Bakr Siddique Masjid, Scarborough

Ismaili Jamatkhana and Aga Khan Museum in Toronto (under construction)

Ontario Khalsa Darbar Dixie

Zen Buddhist Temple, Toronto

Notre Dame Basilica, Ottawa; see more Ontario - Religious Sites

Much more here: Places of worship in Canada

South America:

The Baha'i temple to be built in Santiago, Chile, will be the first Baha'i house of worship in South America.


On the same shelf:

Design Criteria for Mosques and Islamic Centres, Akel Kahera

Houses of Worship: An Identification Guide to the History and Styles of American Religious Architecture, Jeffery W. Howe

Deconstructing the American Mosque [ DECONSTRUCTING THE AMERICAN MOSQUE, Akel Ismail Kahera

Comprehensive Study of U.S. Mosques, A survey by Hartford Seminary

The Global Religious Landscape: A Report on the Size and Distribution of the World’s Major Religious Groups as of 2010 PEW Forum 

Being Just in the love of the Prophet ~ Innocence of Muslims / Desert Warrior

Note: This post is continuously updated, modified on 3 Oct., 2012

Western defenders of ‘free speech’ need to look in the mirror, October 03, 2012, Toronto Star Haroon Siddiqui

The Arbitrary Limits to Freedom of Expression, Abubakar Kasim, Huffington Post, 10/01/2012

Why ban Kate’s images, but not Muhammed’s? The record (Kitchener, Waterloo), Sep 21 2012

Blasphemy in Islam: The Quran does not prescribe punishment for abusing the Prophet, by Maulana Wahiduddin Khan | Oct 2, 2012, The Times of India

Dr. Hamid Slimi discusses how the Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم‎ - Peace be upon him) would have responded to any matter, in times of trials, tribulations, and massive misinformation-- based on a Chapter of the Quran, Kausar (i.e., Surah # 108).

See also the sequel to the above khutba, "What did this Imam just say about Slander?..."

Extract from Sound Vision, Chicago:

"Let not the hatred of a people swerve you away from justice. Be just, for this is closest to righteousness…” (Quran 5:8). While Muslims love and deeply respect Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, others regularly heap abuse on him. Around the world, and here in the U.S., blogs, television shows, some preachers, commentary, and talking heads regularly insult our beloved Prophet and attack his character in ways that are very painful for Muslims to bear. We need to understand this abuse for what it is: a form of psychological violence intended to hurt and harm. Our response when we encounter such attacks must be to seek God’s forgiveness and respond with what is better: prayers on the Prophet and Duas for him. ... It’s also important to remember to just move on. We cannot allow these attacks to hurt us, for that is their very purpose. It’s also vital to keep in mind that you are limited in your responsibility for what you can do to counter these insults. You don’t control the world, you don’t change hearts. Try your best and then put your trust in Allah. That is all you are required to do. continue reading: Being Just in the love of the Prophet, By Abdul Malik Mujahid

On the same shelf:

Free speech vs. reverence for Muhammad: Can they coexist? -- did you know this CS article? Patrik Jonsson, The Christian Science Monitor

Offensive Propaganda: The Aesthetics of an Islamic Response, Khalid's Blog

Some Muslims Don't Get It: Freedom of Speech and the Legitimacy of Muslim Protests, Mike Ghouse, Huffington Post

Muslims Invited to View Film on Muslim-Christian Relations in USA, By Imam By Habeeb Ali, Toronto

Interfaith groups react to anti-Muslim film, condemn violence abroad, By Samer Hijazi, The Arab American News

Stop Dehumanizing Muslims! By Abubakar N. Kasim

Montreal Muslims react to violence, call for calm and dialogue CTV Montreal

Moderate And Hardline Muslims Struggle Within Popular Rage Against Anti-Islam Film And America Huffington Post

Here Is the Original Script for Innocence of Muslims (Desert Warrior), Adrian Chen

Moderates in West must raise their voices: Haroon Siddiqui, Toronto Star

Greetings in your own way: Religious, Secular, and Others

Extract on Good Morning: This Blog Will Change the World

Perhaps the different outlooks in question here can be reduced to three different ways of saying "Good morning". Most of us mean it as an expression of good wishes: "I hope you have a good morning". The secular humanist intends it as a prediction: "You will undoubtedly have a good morning, and an even better one tomorrow." The totalitarian dictator makes it a demand: "You will have a good morning."

Extract from another site: Catholic Online Forum, GOOD MORNING! Oh, and BTW, The Lord be with you...

There’s also another, more humanistic aspect of this that I find objectionable that goes back to my original post. The greeting, “good morning”, is a generic, often formal or “cold”, greeting and is understood by everyone as such. When you pass someone on the street that you know, but don’t know that well, you often use this greeting. The person to whom the “good morning” is addressed understands that the greeting is generic and formal, so it is understood that it is a nicety and nothing more. It doesn’t matter if the person being greeted is having a horrible day or not.

However, changing the circumstances turns the nicety into something quite different. Take for example: ... continue reading

Other tips:

Sabah al-khair = Good Morning (response = sabah al-noor). Masaa al-Khair = Good evening (response = masa al-noor);

Good morning in Hindi: good morning - सुबह अच्छा (subaha acchā)

in Hebrew, "good morning" is "boker tov,"

On the same shelf:

Spirituality May Boost Mental Health, University of Missouri researchers

THURSDA Y, Aug. 23 (HealthDay News)

Spirituality Correlates to Better Mental Health Regardless of Religion, Say MU Researchers, Aug. 20, 2012

Story Contact(s):
Timothy Wall, walltj@missouri.edu, 573-882-3346

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Despite differences in rituals and beliefs among the world’s major religions, spirituality often enhances health regardless of a person’s faith, according to University of Missouri researchers. The MU researchers believe that health care providers could take advantage of this correlation between health – particularly mental health – and spirituality by tailoring treatments and rehabilitation programs to accommodate an individual’s spiritual inclinations.
Continue reading

On the same shelf:

Meditation Reduces Loneliness -- Yoga reduces stress; now it's known why / UCLA Newsroom
Extract: Researchers from UCLA and Carnegie Mellon University now report that a simple meditation program lasting just eight weeks reduced loneliness in older adults. They also found that meditation could help reduce inflammation.