Category: World Region
Rodney Stark on the Crusades
Acclaimed sociologist and popular author Rodney Stark tackles a number of contemporary myths about the Crusades. Discover what motivated the Crusaders to pick up cross and sword and head to the Holy Land. (To download, right click on the button to the right and choose “save target as….”)
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Karrie Koesel on Religion & Politics in China
University of Oregon political scientist Karrie Koesel addresses the relationship between religious groups and the state in the People’s Republic of China. She discovers and interesting symbiosis between church and state at the local level. (To download, right click on the button to the right and choose “save target as….”)
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Mark David Hall on Religion & the Founding Fathers
George Fox University political scientist Mark David Hall examines how various Founding Fathers viewed church-state relations in their time, and how modern Supreme Court justices interpret their writings. Some recent court cases are discussed. (To download, right click on the button to the right and choose “save target as….”)
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Erik Stanley on Clergy & Free Speech
Erik Stanley, a lawyer with the Alliance Defense Fund, discusses whether or not clergy should have the right to endorse political candidates from the pulpit. The historical and legal reasons for clergy remaining silent on candidates is discussed. (To download, right click on the button to the right and choose “save target as….”)
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James Felak on John Paul II and Communism
University of Washington historian James Felak recounts the formative experiences in Pope John Paul II’s life and how he influenced the collapse of communism in Poland and the Soviet Union.
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Steven Pfaff on the Protestant Reformation
University of Washington sociologist Steven Pfaff discusses how professors and students were critical in spreading the Reformation at the grassroots. His micro-level analysis is contrasted with more familiar macro-sociological explanations.
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