Search

In the fall of 2009 I visited eight cities in China. I discussed Marxist understanding of religion, homosexuality, the persistence of popular religiosity, freedom of research, and approaches to the study of religion with Chinese colleagues in a carefree and open atmosphere. The Chinese colleagues followed closely what was happening outside and asked me about the schism within the Anglican Communion over the issue of homosexuality. I found many new books on religion by Chinese scholars and translations of Western religious texts selling in local bookstores. I offered lectures on feminist theology in top universities and a Protestant seminary. Religion was no longer a taboo subject. These kinds of exchanges would have been unimaginable twenty years ago.

Putting generosity to the test.

Packed with conspiracy theories, while claiming to be about sustainability.

Martin Gaskell said he was denied job because of religious beliefs.

Once again the religious right has sought to recreate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in its own image.

The Qur’an-burning Terry Jones is back to put the text on trial. Maybe he’s just a comedian in disguise.

The demand by a Muslim group for a loyalty oath means they don’t really understand America.

Former adjunct professor tells all.

After the Tucson shootings, a prayer for Jared Loughner.

While the details of Loughner’s views on currency and language might not have a following, they differ only in degree and not in kind from the autodidactic, eccentric musings of senatorial candidates who cite the unconstitutionality of unemployment insurance and minimum wage, who see in health care reform a plot to kill senior citizens, who propose the gold standard as a solution to the national debt, or who question the president’s birth certificate. If Loughner’s radical vision of individual autonomy is deranged and psychotic, it is a kind of derangement and psychosis that increasingly characterizes our political climate.