culture
The hidden joke behind “Hogan’s Heroes”
By Jeffrey Salkin — November 17, 2022
Was "Hogan's Heroes" funny? Yes -- and dead serious, as well.
How to bend and not break
By Jeffrey Salkin — October 17, 2022
(RNS) — From the most important word in the history of American cinema ... a lesson in life itself.
Bring Leonard Cohen home for the High Holy Days
By Jeffrey Salkin — September 22, 2022
What can a late, lamented singer-songwriter teach us about inwardness and the Jewish new year? Plenty.
What Americans can learn from other cultures about the language of gratitude
By Jeremy David Engels and Elaine Hsieh — November 18, 2021
(The Conversation) — Cultures around the world say ‘thank yous’ in many different ways. Two communication scholars explain what these expressions can reveal to us.
Dubai’s Expo opens, bringing first world’s fair to Mideast
By Isabel Debre and Aya Batrawy — October 1, 2021
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — After eight years of planning and billions of dollars in spending, the Middle East’s first world’s fair opened Friday in Dubai, with hopes that the months-long extravaganza will draw both visitors and global attention to this desert-turned-dreamscape. The coronavirus pandemic pushed Expo 2020 back a year and may affect […]
In ‘Seculosity,’ David Zahl traces society’s search for righteousness outside of the church
By Aysha Khan — July 17, 2019
(RNS) — You may not follow a religion, David Zahl says. But chances are your life — from your phone to your dinner plate to the way you raise your kids — is still ruled by some sort of a religious impulse.
Why are Jewish celebrities silent about Charlottesville?
By Jeffrey Salkin — August 23, 2017
(RNS) — The Piano Man's yellow star was a good start. We need famous Jews to be activists against hate.
Biggest Christian festival in the UK decides to showcase some Islam too
By Catherine Pepinster — August 18, 2017
LONDON (RNS) — 'It is because we are Christian that we do this. Not because we want to dilute or deny our faith,' said Paul Northup, the festival's creative director.
McDonald’s next to Vatican to offer free meals to the homeless
By Josephine McKenna — January 12, 2017
VATICAN CITY (RNS) The move could help to defuse the controversy over a fast-food joint opening in the shadow of St. Peter's Basilica.
Amazon ad features Muslim cleric
By Jerome Socolovsky — November 21, 2016
SAN FRANCISCO (USA Today) The most surprising thing about Amazon’s latest ad for its Prime service is that it appears to be the first time a Muslim cleric has been featured in a television ad shown in the United States.
In the name of freedom, porn is trashing our lives
By Tahir Nasser — September 20, 2016
(RNS) Fourteen hundred years ago, the Quran warned that the spreading of indecent acts such as pornography only results in pain and misery for society.
‘I don’t’: Conservative pastors vow not to officiate government marriages
By Jonathan Merritt — November 19, 2014
A prominent religious journal has launched a movement encouraging pastors to refuse to perform marriages as representatives of the state. The concept is not entirely novel and isn't just being proposed by conservatives. Americans should seriously consider it.
Should Christians stop defending the Bible? This scholar thinks so.
By Jonathan Merritt — September 29, 2014
A battle over the Bible always seems to be brewing among Christians. But one scholar has a new message: stop trying to defend it!
Have evangelicals diluted Jesus’ radical message?
By Jonathan Merritt — September 11, 2014
A popular Christian blogger says evangelicals have created a domesticated, American Jesus. But is he just making the same old liberal arguments we've heard for decade.
Have Americans made God in their image?
By Jonathan Merritt — August 27, 2014
Matthew Paul Turner argues from history that Christians have Americanized God. But making God into "a naked paper doll," he says, is riddled with problems.
