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Category: Secularization
Rodney Stark on The Triumph of Faith
The decline of religion around the world may be greatly exaggerated. Returning for his sixth appearance on our podcast, Prof. Rodney Stark, co-founder of Baylor’s ISR, discusses his new book “The Triumph of Faith” and reviews how the religious landscapes in various countries and regions of the world has been greatly transformed in the past half century. We look at “nones” from the United States, the rise of indigenous Christianity in Africa, and how even the Japanese still rely upon Shinto priests for blessings. You can find us on Twitter and Facebook. Use the button on the right side of our home page to connect. [ READ THE FULL ARTICLE ] Joseph Castleberry on the New Pilgrims
Dr. Joseph Castleberry, president of Northwest University, discusses how the recent wave of immigrants have been revitalizing religion in America, both spiritually and in terms of civil religion. He connects this revitalization back early “great awakenings” in American history that were spurred by waves of individuals coming to America in search of greater opportunity, and relays stories of how the “new pilgrims” are planting churches and inspiring success. Please connect with us on Twitter and Facebook for regular updates on guests and topics. [ READ THE FULL ARTICLE ] Daniel Libenson on Present and Future Judaism
In a wonderful complement to last week’s episode, Daniel Libenson — creator of jUChicago and The Institute for the Next Jewish Future — discusses the religious challenges facing Judaism in contemporary America and what might need to happen in the future. We explore these issues through the lens of his work with Hillel and his other institutional creations, and how he is using “design thinking” to provide creative ways to engage secular Jews in their historical faith. Join us on Facebook and Twitter for regular updates about future episodes. [ READ THE FULL ARTICLE ] Carmel Chiswick on the Economics of Being Jewish in America.
How does an economist discuss being a religious minority in America? Prof. Carmel Chiswick returns to the podcast to discuss her new book “Judaism in Transition.” Using the tools of economics — particularly the concepts of full price, time costs, and human capital — explains the challenges American Jews face in a Christian culture and how Judaism has changed over time to reflect responses to various costs and benefits. We also talk about some of the newer demographic challenges facing Jews, including intermarriage, later marriage, and empty nesters. We are free on iTunes. Subscribe, or use our RSS feed, and never miss an episode. [ READ THE FULL ARTICLE ] John Owen IV on Confronting Political Islam, Historical Lessons
As ISIS, al-Qaeda, and other radical forms of political Islam take center stage in the news and policy circles, can we learn anything about the broad-based movement known as Islamism from the history of Europe? Prof. John Owen IV discusses how the West has dealt with its own radical ideological struggles and the parallels we can draw to the present situation in the Middle East and North Africa. Does a Scottish rebellion in the 1560s have anything worth informing us about the Taliban? Find out! Please mention us to a friend via our social media links on Facebook and Twitter. [ READ THE FULL ARTICLE ] David Bentley Hart on Atheist Delusions
By listener request, David Bentley Hart joins us to discuss his award-winning book, “Atheist Delusions: The Christian Revolution and its Fashionable Enemies.” We cover who these “new” atheists are, how they differ from the old atheists, and Prof. Hart’s general reactions to more common claims by atheist scholars about the Christian past and the “Age of Reason.” Subscribe to Research on Religion on iTunes for free! [ READ THE FULL ARTICLE ] Religious Liberty & Economic Prosperity: A Panel Discussion
On October 10, 2013, a distinguished panel of scholars gathered at Georgetown University to discuss the relationship between religious liberty and economic prosperity. Sponsored by the Religious Freedom Project of the Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, and World Affairs and moderated by Prof. William Inboden, the panelists included Ilan Alon (Rollins College), Timur Kuran (Duke), Ian Linden (Tony Blair Faith Foundation), and Rebecca Shah (Religious Freedom Project). They discuss the various causal (and sometimes non-causal) pathways wherein greater religious toleration and freedom promotes an environment conducive to entrepreneurship, immigration, and the institutional expansion of othe civil liberties. Give the gift of knowledge during the holiday season and tell your friends about this free podcast series using the social media links below. [ READ THE FULL ARTICLE ] Bradley Murg on Russian Orthodoxy after the Soviet Union
Whereas the Soviet Union was noted for being a state that sought to repress all forms of religious expression, the Russian Orthodox Church continued to exist in a weakened form throughout Russia’s communist era. Following the collapse of the Soviet regime in 1991, Rusian Orthodoxy has re-emerged from its slumber to reassert itself in the nation’s culture and institutional structure. How has it fared over the past two decades? Bradley Murg, a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Washington, explores this question revealing much about the nature of religion in Russian society as well as a thing or two about its evolving political structure. Like us on Facebook at Research on Religion with Anthony Gill. Get weekly updates and nifty promotional pictures. [ READ THE FULL ARTICLE ] Robert Delahunty on Alexis de Tocqueville and Religion
Prof. Robert Delahunty (University of St. Thomas) discusses the life and thought of Alexis de Tocqueville, particularly as it pertains to his views on religion and democracy. We discuss Tocqueville’s personal religious history and how this influenced his thought, as well as the observations he made with respect to the role of religion in a newly-formed democratic nation. Prof. Delahunty explores Tocqueville’s thoughts on church-state relations and the role of civil religion in comparison with Niccolo Machiavelli, and we reflect upon what Tocqueville’s observations recorded in America’s Jacksonian Era tell us about the role of religion in the U.S. today. Subscribe to us on iTunes for free weekly interviews. Assign us to your college or homeschooling classes. We appreciate the company! [ READ THE FULL ARTICLE ] Frank Newport on Survey Research and America’s Religiosity
Dr. Frank Newport, the Editor-in-Chief at Gallup, discusses the process of public opinion research and what it tells us about America’s changing religious landscape. We spend a significant amount of time discussing how polls are conducted, what their limitations are, and how survey companies like Gallup try to overcome these problems. This is a fantastic primer for those who are unfamiliar with survey research. We spend the second half of the interview discussing Dr. Newport’s book, “God Is Alive & Well,” which argues that America is still a vibrantly spiritual nation. Please “like” us on Facebook and tell your friends about our free educational podcast. [ READ THE FULL ARTICLE ] |
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