From Jihadist to Moderate Muslim — This 40 min. audio from NPR’s Fresh Air interviews a British citizen who extracted himself from radical Islam. He explains how he was recruited at age 16, describes 4 stages of radicalization, 3 approaches to recruiting, and includes an interesting discussion on adolescent identity. Could offer useful insight into […]
Items included on this page come from a variety of sources. The perspectives conveyed may or may not express a Lutheran ethos. They can serve our instruction as discussion-starters, examples (positive and negative), and illustrations of intersections between God’s two kingdoms, intersections sometimes characterized by tension, sometimes by congruence. Inclusion does not imply endorsement.
Changing Our Mind
Changing Our Mind — Sojourners has begun a series that “explores the ongoing conversation within the church over LGBT identities, affirmation, and inclusion. As the push for equality expands, how are communities of faith participating and responding — and is it enough?” For those following various discussions within the church, this source will give you the Sojourners take on […]
Ten Ways to Care for Widows and Orphans
Ten Ways to Care for Widows and Orphans — How do you “visit” widows (including single parents who might not technically be “widows,” but are effectively just as alone) and orphans in meaningful ways? This list might provide students with a sampler that makes sanctification accessible and practical. Don’t ask them what you can do — […]
The Right Church?
The Right Church? — Long-time religion writer Richard Ostling (Christianity Today, the Associated Press) offers this approach to guiding church shoppers and seekers: “This request characterizes the church-shopping by many would-be returnees and is worth some attention.” Of possible interest as spiritual diversity increases on campus.
Top 50 Countries Most Difficult for Christians
Top 50 Countries Most Difficult for Christians — Open Doors released its annual World Watch List (WWL) that ranks the top 50 countries “where Christians face the most persecution,” aiming to create “effective anger” on believers’ behalf. It wasn’t increased violence that primarily drove persecution to record levels in 2014, but rather increased “cultural marginalization.” […]
Covering Religious Violence: 8 Factors Journalists Should Know
Covering Religious Violence: 8 Factors Journalists Should Know — Journalists and policymakers must not jump to the conclusion that religious differences are enough to fuel religion-related violence, warns Prof. John Wolffe, in a report titled, “Religion, Security and Global Uncertainties.” Wolffe advocates digging deeper to learn why and how stable, diverse communities break down, resulting […]
Faith on the Hill
Faith on the Hill — Nine-in-ten members of the newly elected 114th Congress are Christian — a significantly higher share than is seen in the general population. Many other major religious groups are also represented in the body, including Jews, Buddhists, Muslims, Hindus and the unaffiliated. This Pew Center report does the break-down.
In Search of a Science of Consciousness
In Search of a Science of Consciousness — Philosopher Alva Noe reviews Waking, Dreaming, and Being, (Columbia Univ. Press, 2014) a new book by Evan Thompson on neuroscience, the problem of consciousness, and religious meditation. Thompson continues the ongoing discussion on the phenomenological gap between what neuroscience accounts for and what we actually experience.
A Teacher’s Guide to Discussing Religion in the Public Classroom
A Teacher’s Guide to Discussing Religion in the Public Classroom — From a public high school social studies teacher, this brief article continues the discussion of the place of religion in tax-funded schools and the role of religious content in civil discourse in a liberal democracy.
How Institutions Can Die Well
How Institutions Can Die Well — This essay, titled “Final Gifts,” suggests that institutions in the church need to think and talk about how to die well: one of the mistakes institutions make is to defer facing their failure to the point that they have no more resources to attend to the end. They just […]
