Peter Evans brings example of humanitarian and historical benefits of music

[caption id="attachment_22462" align="alignleft" width="336"] Peter Evans[/caption]

Carol Forsloff------Among some of the unsung heroes in any culture are many musicians who write original music and offer their work freely, in dedication to helping others.  In a world where music is sometimes treated with cynicism, and where competition and focus is much on the young and often the transient, older performers who have tasted life in its abundance can convey feelings and bring attention to social needs.  That's the initial summary of the music of Peter Evans.

Evans steps out of the ordinary and the mundane to speak about the needs of the homeless.  In that way he joins the seasoned troopers like Willie Nelson, Barbra Streisand, Herb Alpert, and Bono from U-2 fame in being generous with this time, as they are generous with large sums of money.  To offer music is a step up to help others, for music carries a message in a different way than advertisements and speeches.

In addition to using music to call attention to social problems, like homelessness, those who bring this type of music elevate the music itself and become part of the history of it that reflects how it has been used to call attention to issues, to relate events and to become the repository of what happens today that people can learn about for all time.  Like books that stay with us, music that is part of that history, stays with us as well.

Honoring people who care for others through music is a reminder that service is important, and that every person has a role to play in service.  Some may work in the soup kitchen, others go out on the streets and render aid to the poor and the homeless.  Others, like Peter Evans, shine a light like a beacon of attention and hope that can raise our consciousness while offering the beauty of music itself.

Evans is a popular musician on a site called Fandalism, a man respected for his kindness and support of others and for his charitable giving by way of his original music.

How to teach your children religious tolerance

[caption id="attachment_22276" align="alignleft" width="178"] World Religion Day symbol[/caption]

Carol Forsloff---Many children grow up with no religion or one that teaches theirs is the best or only one of significance, when there is a world of people with differing beliefs; and the fact that is not emphasized has created prejudice and intolerance, leading to strife and war.  How can we change that focus and teach our children religious tolerance?

Brad Hough has an idea that makes that kind of good sense to make a difference.  He hopes to publish a children's book that emphasizes the fact that all people are part of God's world and that most religions believe in the same God, but may refer to Him with a different name.

Like the song, "One God," recorded years ago by Barbra Streisand and Johnny Mathis, and its most recent Internet recording by Kathy Songbird and Mark Hall,  and recently described in this magazine, there are many paths to God, according to the concept put forth by Hough and others like him, of various faiths around the world.  That is why World Religion Day is celebrated across the United States and in other places where people are open to sharing religious ideas.

Hough tells us, "

We all pray to the same God....whether we realize it or not. About 5 years ago I told a bedtime story to my daughters. Fast forward to today and they're still talking about it, so we figured it was time to share with the world. My now 10-year old daughter and I took the time to animate the story. She helped with voices, drawings, and even an original piano piece.

After a very positive response, we decided it was time to create it into a children's book."

To do that Hough hopes to raise enough money to self publish and to obtain guidance to direct the marketing so that it opens the door to readership.

Brad Hough is a software engineer at Exelis, Inc.  He received his degree in electrical engineering from the University of Maryland, College Park in 1993.  He volunteers in his neighborhood as a teacher of virtues classes for children from 1^st to 5^th grade.  In his spare time, he likes to write and edit videos.  He currently resides in Brambleton, VA with his wife Nassim, two daughters (Sarah 13, Layla 11), and their dogs Chloe and Jasmine.  He is a member of the Baha’i Faith, which teaches that all religions are one.

Other recommendations given by experts on parenting about how to teach children religious tolerance that include first understanding your own spiritual values, defining them and deciding how you want your children to learn and practice them.   Treat religious discussions as education, focusing on developing curiosity and respect for others, as a value.  Provide information on how in many parts of the world religion becomes part of the culture and focus of family traditions.

There are many ways to help children learn about religion and respect the beliefs of others.  Hough focuses on teaching children directly through stories, while others through concepts; but however the belief is developed it becomes a way to bring new generations to understanding and goodwill that may reduce conflict and war, often with their roots of religious intolerance.