pagan
Where does Thanksgiving come from?
By Jana Riess — November 27, 2013
We know the primary school version . . . but where did Thanksgiving really come from? And why did it take more than 200 years for it to become a national holiday?
The Twible is now available!
By Jana Riess — November 8, 2013
Thank you, thank you to all the people who have followed The Twible from its beginnings as a quirky little Twitter novelty to its fruition as a full-fledged book. The book is out today!
‘Blasphemous’ tweets * God graveyard * Zombie panda?!: Religious Freedom Recap: Oct. 28 – Nov. 4
By Brian Pellot — November 4, 2013
A Saudi man is released as a Kuwaiti’s jail sentence is upheld over “blasphemous” tweets. Atheists erect a fake graveyard for gods that are no longer worshipped. And I still look like an emo teen covered in black eyeliner. Thanks, Halloween.
Finding God in World War Z
By Jana Riess — July 17, 2013
My plot requirements for disaster movies are waifishly thin. So imagine my surprise when the new blockbuster World War Z turned out not only to be intelligent but almost downright theological. (Warning: Contains spoilers.)
‘Pagan’ is getting a makeover. Not everyone got the memo.
By David Gibson — July 11, 2013
(RNS) As the monotheistic Abrahamic religions began to spread, “pagan” took on negative connotations as the antithesis of the “true faith” of the monotheists. Pagans were polytheists who believed in various gods and held to questionable moral codes.
7 observations on North Carolina’s anti-democratic, anti-Muslim, anti-women legislation
By Omid Safi — July 3, 2013
Late-hour, sneaky, and anti-democratic measures sponsored by North Carolina Republicans have brought together two measures that would seem to have nothing in common with another: politics of the abortion debate, and marginalizing Muslims.
Sounds of Protest: Les Miserables, Gezi Park, and the Power of Music
By Omid Safi — June 18, 2013
Ultimately that’s what so amazing about music at Gezi park. It’s not about the notes. It’s not about the words, or the melodies. It’s ultimately about us, all of us. It's about the power of music to unite all of us. It's about this new global generation of humanity who care about the well-being of one another beyond the narrow confines of nationality, race, creed, or class, that give us hope. They give us hope that they will be able to sing together, make music together, make love together, and make of this old world, a new world.
Appeals court OK’s pastor’s suit against Oklahoma license plate
By Greg Horton — June 17, 2013
(RNS) The pastor contends the image of the Native American compels him to be a “mobile billboard” for a pagan religion.
A federal appeals court ruled the suit can proceed.
On the Ground at Gezi Park and Taksim Demonstrations
By Omid Safi — June 8, 2013
This is not simply Islamists vs. Secularists. It is tempting to see this as a struggle of Islamicly leaning AKP against secularists. And that would be a mistake. A strong leader, Erdogan, is facing a substantial percentage of his own society who right now do not feel represented, included, seen, heard, and accounted for. It's a great opportunity for Turkey to become an even more vibrant democracy.
Happy Century, Rite of Spring
By Mark Silk — May 29, 2013
Today marks the hundredth anniversary of the premiere in Paris of the greatest religious musical composition of the 20th century, Igor Stravinsky's ballet, Le Sacre du Printemps.
More than reggae: Honoring Marley, a prophetic voice of protest
By Omid Safi — May 11, 2013
Reggae is at its most revolutionary force when it is prophetic, emancipatory, raw, justice-oriented, anti-colonial, imbued with love and life-affirming.
And very much like Hip-Hop in this case, what a tragedy to see such powerful prophetic medium commercialized to enable awful, awful drunken dancing.
Happy Redemption, O Holy Bob.
Critique, Love, and Community
By Omid Safi — May 1, 2013
Yes, there is need for a liberatory form of criticism against every form of tyranny. And that critique has to be rooted in a deep and abiding love, even when the critique is rooted in a disappointment with how things are now (compared to how they should be). That combination of critique, love, and community is what is needed to bring about meaningful and lasting transformation.
“No more hurting people. Peace.”
By Omid Safi — April 16, 2013
Here was a lesson that Martin Richard, the wise 8-year old, had already learned:
If you can, bring joy and love to humanity.
If you cannot, and you can, at least cause no harm.
The 5 Kinds of People I Unfollowed on Twitter
By Jana Riess — April 12, 2013
I recently unfollowed nearly 1,000 people on Twitter. Here are 5 reasons why.
Matthew Warren’s Death and the Changing Tide of Mental Health Awareness
By Jana Riess — April 9, 2013
As I've followed the story of Matthew Warren's suicide, I've been bracing myself for evidence of ignorant trolls who blame the Warrens for their son’s death. I haven't seen much of that at all, however. Is our nation's awareness of mental illness finally beginning to change?
