---

Why are American Jews more liberal than their socio-economic non-Jewish counterparts?
Why are they more politically liberal than Jews in other countries? And what explains the rightward, then leftward, drift of Jews from the 1970s to present? Prof. Ken Wald provides an interesting historical explanation to these three puzzles. A great complimentary episode to last week’s discussion.

Connect with us on Facebook by clicking the icon below and to the right!

[ READ THE FULL ARTICLE ]

---

Carmel Chiswick (University of Illinois, Chicago and the George Washington University) discusses the economics of American Judaism, showing how higher wage rates and the “cost of time” shaped the way that Jewish immigrants practiced their faith. We look primarily at the German and Russian/East German Jewish immigration of the 19th century and how the socio-economic circumstances of those groups shaped the Reform and Conservative Jewish movements. Our conversation also covers the issues of immigration, education, and assimilation, ending with a discussion of what America Judaism looks like today, what it is likely to become, and how it is influencing Judaism worldwide.

Subscribe to Research on Religion on iTunes or Zune!

[ READ THE FULL ARTICLE ]

---

William Donohue of the Catholic League discusses how cultural nihilists are engaging in “secular sabotage.” Our discussion starts with an examination of who are these nihilists and how moral virtue is essential to control unbridled appetites in a free nation. We then weave through a variety of topics including Lady Gaga, Hollywood, and how Catholics and Protestants are often engaging in self-sabotage.

We are on iTunes!

[ READ THE FULL ARTICLE ]

---

Prof. Ruth Melkonian surveys the history of Protestantism in Latin America and examines whether evangelicals and Pentecostals in the region share the same political views as their U.S. brethren or whether they appear more similar to non-evangelicals in Latin America. She reveals that Latin American Protestants are more similar to their non-Protestant compatriots in the region than they are to their counterparts in the United States. We also discuss the issue of Latino immigration into the US and how evangelical leaders have viewed this phenemonenon.

Link to us on Facebook and subscribe to our Twitter feed for weekly updates!

[ READ THE FULL ARTICLE ]

---

David Gallagher, Director of Communications for Opus Dei in NYC, discusses the history, organization and public perception of Opus Dei, a Catholic movement started in Spain in 1928 with the intent of encouraging holiness in one’s daily life.

For updates about forthcoming podcasts, join us on Facebook and/or Twitter. Click the links below.

[ READ THE FULL ARTICLE ]

---

What are the top mainline Protestant hymns of the past two centuries? Why isn’t “Amazing Grace” on that list? Do Catholics share any common hymns with Protestants? Does the contemporary Christian music scene present a significant challenge to the old, traditional hymns sung in churches over the past two centuries? Robert T. Coote joins us to discuss these questions and more in an extremely interesting episode about the role of hymns in Christianity.

Connect with us on Facebook and tell us what your favorite hymns are!

[ READ THE FULL ARTICLE ]

---

Just in time for every taxpayer’s favorite day — April 15 — David Wills, president of the National Christian Foundation, joins us to discuss religious charity and how government spending & taxes can affect where private donations flow. We discuss some potential changes to the tax code, including the definition of what might count as a “charitable organization.” Anyone who runs a charitable organization or who makes even the smallest of financial donations to religious groups will want to listen to this episode. If you know of others who may be interested, please spread the word.

Connect with us on Facebook. Click the link below or search on “Research on Religion with Anthony Gill.”

[ READ THE FULL ARTICLE ]

---

Buckle your seatbelts. James Brettell — preacher, radio host and jack-of-all-trades — leads us through a critique of contemporary Christianity in the United States. Critical of what he calls the “traditional church,” Pastor Jim details a problematic stagnation in denominational Christianity and advocates for a more evangelical method of reinvigorating spiritual life in America and around the world. He takes us through his personal history, from being raised in a Presbyterian Church to being born-again while on military duty in the Caribbean to his experience as pastor at a number of churches around the country. Pastor Jim also discusses his latest venture, the Little Rock NetChurch (an internet-based ministry), and how that is bringing folks closer to the Word of God.

If you “like” us, please click out Facebook page to get regular updates on guests and topics!

[ READ THE FULL ARTICLE ]

---

Manuscript collector extraordinaire, and former professor of ancient history, Scott Carroll joins Tony in a discussion about the King James Bible, as Baylor Univeristy prepares to celebrate the 400th anniversary of this celebrated translation. Our discussion is far ranging, discussing everything from how ancient texts were translated and disseminated to the specific history of Tudor and Stuart England. We finish with some thoughts on the impact that this particular translation of the Bible has had on our contemporary understanding of the Bible and its imprint on the English language.

Sign up with us on Facebook to discuss our episodes and get weekly updates! See the link below.

[ READ THE FULL ARTICLE ]

---

Darin Mather, a PhD candidate at the University of Minnesota, discusses changing racial attitudes among younger evangelicals (defined as being born after 1957) and their elders, showing how the former are much more tolerant than the latter. Mather’s research also demonstrates that younger evangelicals are becoming more tolerant of racial diversity and have a greater sense of racial solidarity much like their younger non-evangelical counterparts. However, we note that younger evangelicals differ from their peers on public policy issues such as affirmative action and economic assistance to historically disadvantaged communities. We explore reasons for these similarities and differences.

“Like us” and link to us on our new Facebook fan page! See the logo below.

[ READ THE FULL ARTICLE ]

---