Category Archives: Religion

The problematic concept of religion

Christmas time highlights — usually in relatively trivial ways — the tensions between traditionalists and advocates of progressive forms of secularism and multiculturalism. The underlying issues run deep, however, and go to the heart of some basic political principles and … Continue reading

Posted in Religion | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on The problematic concept of religion

Criticizing Islam is turned into “hate speech” on Facebook

Obviously, this isn’t happening to everyone who criticizes Islam. But someone like Abdullah Sameer is getting popular, and he’s a pretty attractive face for apostasy from Islam. He was until recently a rather conservative Muslim himself. He’s the person you … Continue reading

Posted in Religion | Tagged | Comments Off on Criticizing Islam is turned into “hate speech” on Facebook

Radicalism, religion and climate change

Although Christianity is now in rapid decline, secularized versions of Biblical ethics and eschatology still flourish and continue to exert a profound influence on moral and political thinking, especially in left-wing and radical circles. But a case can be made … Continue reading

Posted in politics, Religion | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

The Difference Between Berkeley and NYC is Collapsing

The New York Times recently published a piece on Wiccans in New York City, “Witchcraft in the #MeToo Era.” Despite the name, the article has nothing to do with #MeToo – there are no tales or even allusions to Wiccan … Continue reading

Posted in Odds & Ends, Religion, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 2 Comments

On the semiotics of secularism and nakedness of village atheism in the culture war

Listening to the lovely bells of Winchester, one of our great mediaeval cathedrals. So much nicer than the aggressive-sounding “Allahu Akhbar.” Or is that just my cultural upbringing? pic.twitter.com/TpCkq9EGpw — Richard Dawkins (@RichardDawkins) July 16, 2018 One of the great … Continue reading

Posted in Religion | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

New Era, New Priests: E.R. Dodds, Rome, Christianity and Intersectionality

Writing in the  American Conservative, here’s Gilbert Sewall on the Oxford classicist, E.R. Dodds. Read the whole thing, really, but here is Sewall discussing Dodds’ Pagans and Christians in an Age of Anxiety (1965): In 380, Theodosius I declared Christianity … Continue reading

Posted in history, Religion | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Tom Wolfe, R.I.P.

“A cult is a religion with no political power.”

Posted in Religion | Tagged | Comments Off on Tom Wolfe, R.I.P.

Mobile Phone, Immobile Superstition

Yet another reminder that, to quote (yet again) Carl Jung, the Middle Ages…live on merrily. The Catholic Herald: Priests have been carrying out exorcisms over the phone as demand continues to rise, a Cardinal has said. Speaking at the Vatican’s … Continue reading

Posted in Religion | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Mobile Phone, Immobile Superstition

Liberalism as Faith

Cross-posted on the Corner (and a post, I would hope, that ‘Secular Humanists’ would read): The British philosopher John Gray is not someone to shy away from ‘difficult’ topics. If you are looking for a provocative long read this weekend, … Continue reading

Posted in history, Religion | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Liberalism as Faith

Like An Oscar, But Not

Blocked! I don’t know what brought on my inclusion on this sort of reverse Index librorum prohibitorum (I don’t think I’ve ever engaged with this particular site) but recognition is recognition…  

Posted in politics, Religion | Tagged , | Comments Off on Like An Oscar, But Not