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Religion Dispatches - Religion Dispatches Religion Dispatches
  • Israel’s War on Gaza
    • The Desire to Annihilate Gaza Wasn’t Born on 10/7 — It’s Part of a Long Tradition that Includes 19th Century Travel Writing
      The Desire to Annihilate Gaza Wasn’t Born on 10/7 — It’s Part of a Long Tradition that Includes 19th Century Travel Writing
    • The Antisemitism Awareness Act Just Passed by the House Would Actually Increase Anti-Jewish Violence
      The Antisemitism Awareness Act Just Passed by the House Would Actually Increase Anti-Jewish Violence
    • ‘Do You Want Columbia to be Cursed by God?’ — Alarming Exchanges in Congress and Beyond Highlight the Desperate Need for Religious Literacy
      ‘Do You Want Columbia to be Cursed by God?’ — Alarming Exchanges in Congress and Beyond Highlight the Desperate Need for Religious Literacy
  • Racial Justice
    • Church Attendance is (Once Again) Correlated with Authoritarianism — So Why Do We Refuse to Acknowledge It?
      Church Attendance is (Once Again) Correlated with Authoritarianism — So Why Do We Refuse to Acknowledge It?
    • Well, the Harris-Trump Debate Happened — Now Enjoy Your Freedom and Choose Wisely
      Well, the Harris-Trump Debate Happened — Now Enjoy Your Freedom and Choose Wisely
    • Historian Matthew Stewart Upends the Widespread Belief that 19th Century U.S. Christianity Was On ‘The Right Side of History’
      Historian Matthew Stewart Upends the Widespread Belief that 19th Century U.S. Christianity Was On ‘The Right Side of History’
  • Politics/Law
    • Church Attendance is (Once Again) Correlated with Authoritarianism — So Why Do We Refuse to Acknowledge It?
      Church Attendance is (Once Again) Correlated with Authoritarianism — So Why Do We Refuse to Acknowledge It?
    • Well, the Harris-Trump Debate Happened — Now Enjoy Your Freedom and Choose Wisely
      Well, the Harris-Trump Debate Happened — Now Enjoy Your Freedom and Choose Wisely
    • We Would Be Wise to Pay Attention to Trump’s Apocalyptic QAnon Posting Spree
      We Would Be Wise to Pay Attention to Trump’s Apocalyptic QAnon Posting Spree
  • Sex/Gender/Justice
    • Democrats Have Seized the Narrative Frame From the GOP, But Can They Find a Better Story to Tell About an Inclusive, Pluralist US?
      Democrats Have Seized the Narrative Frame From the GOP, But Can They Find a Better Story to Tell About an Inclusive, Pluralist US?
    • Will Iowa’s Abortion Ban Respect Religious Freedom?
      Will Iowa’s Abortion Ban Respect Religious Freedom?
    • After Her Remarks Pope JPII Was Never the Same — Controversial, Beloved Sr Theresa Kane’s Effect on the Catholic Church Endures
      After Her Remarks Pope JPII Was Never the Same — Controversial, Beloved Sr Theresa Kane’s Effect on the Catholic Church Endures
  • Christian Nationalism
    • Church Attendance is (Once Again) Correlated with Authoritarianism — So Why Do We Refuse to Acknowledge It?
      Church Attendance is (Once Again) Correlated with Authoritarianism — So Why Do We Refuse to Acknowledge It?
    • Historian Matthew Stewart Upends the Widespread Belief that 19th Century U.S. Christianity Was On ‘The Right Side of History’
      Historian Matthew Stewart Upends the Widespread Belief that 19th Century U.S. Christianity Was On ‘The Right Side of History’
    • Will Iowa’s Abortion Ban Respect Religious Freedom?
      Will Iowa’s Abortion Ban Respect Religious Freedom?
goodman1@gmail.com'

Rob Goodman

Rob Goodman is a former congressional speechwriter, PhD student in political theory, and co-author of an upcoming book on the Roman Republic. His writing has appeared in The Atlantic online, The Chronicle of Higher Education, The Millions, and others.

(A)theologies, Politics/LawJuly 15, 2013

Enlightenment’s Islam: A “Necessary Fiction”

By Rob Goodman

When we read of Enlightenment efforts to rehabilitate the image of Islam alongside the fact that outgoing Rep. Michele Bachmann raised more than $1 million in 25 days from a Muslim-themed witch hunt, it’s easy to ask how such openness could curdle into such paranoia. But that would be too simple.

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(A)theologies, CultureAugust 14, 2012

The Bible Is Not a Diet Plan

By Rob Goodman

Rather than approach stories on their own uncomfortable terms, Rick Warren’s new diet plan pulls exiled, bewildered Daniel away from the king’s table and demands, “Tell me the secret to controlling your carb intake!”

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Religion Dispatches

Religion Dispatches

Religion Dispatches is your independent, non-profit, award-winning source for the best writing on critical and timely issues at the intersection of religion, politics, and culture.

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