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Santorum’s War on Satan… er, on Higher Education

By Eric Reitan

…nd if we’re going to compete in the world market, we both have to have the best equipment and the best training. But Santorum doesn’t care about the facts, because attacking Obama on higher education is really just a pretext for pushing what is, for him, a more urgent message—namely that higher education should be viewed as a problem, not an opportunity. Although he currently frames this message in the Tea Party language of “liberal professors” an…

Will the Real Progressive Christians Please Stand Up?

By Delwin Brown

…ho are now gaining voice on the center-right of American politics. And the best way to share that message is to work with these conservatives whenever their commitments overlap with those of progressive Christians. It is not enough to be clear about what we believe, they insist, or even to be forceful; progressive Christians must also get someone to listen to them. And the best way to get a hearing is to work alongside others whenever the opportun…

What is a “Religious Progressive” Anyway?

By Daniel Schultz

…logger!” “Yes, O Majestic Keepers of the Paycheck?” we inquired, doing our best not to snivel overmuch. “Give me nine hundred words on the definition of ‘progressive!’” O.D.O. barked, nearly upsetting their daily snort of Maker’s Mark and English breakfast tea while they lightly tossed a link from TPMDC at our head: Poll: Majority Of Americans Not Quite Sure What ‘Progressive’ Means. “Define it! Own it! Spare no expense! Send a telegram to the Sov…

Marriage Equality: No More (Word) Games

By William Myatt

…nt of this link in paragraph 14, the implicit argument is that marriage is best defined as a one-man-one-woman institution. I appreciated the intellectual care that went into Smith’s analysis. Following the example of some of history’s best thinkers, he took an issue that most people considered straightforward, complicated it, and then redirected the discussion. Ultimately, though, I found his deconstruction unconvincing. Let me explain… Dr. Smith…

‘Pure White’ Examines the White Supremacist Origins of Evangelical Purity Culture

By Emma Cieslik

…be a strong nation, it needs to have a moral core. And that moral core is best defined by evangelical Christian teachings. So, there you have this formula that allows White evangelicals to demonstrate their right to political power: If we don’t have political power, everything’s in trouble. So again, this is the White Christian nationalism that works, not just on the popular level, but also on the political level—and this has been so firmly ingra…

The Great Cremation Debate

By David Marchese

…phere. Lowering a body into the ground and allowing it to decompose may be best for the planet. However, state laws often mandate the use of coffins. But ecology is not the only issue. Rabbi Andy Bachman of Brooklyn Jews, an organization dedicated to helping young Jews build meaningful connections with their faith, has presided over multiple funerals involving cremation. “The horse is out of the gate,” says Bachman. “People are choosing to cremate…

Did Pope Francis Just End the Religion and Science Conflict?

By Donovan Schaefer

…focus on their common problems. Winning theological fights may not be the best use of time and resources when the health of the planet is on the line. This shift may never happen. The shadow of the ongoing debates about Darwinism—especially among American Protestants—may be too long and too dark to challenge popular acceptance of the Conflict Thesis anytime soon. It would also require an enhanced commitment on the part of the Catholic Church itse…

The Night of Power: Laylatul Qadri

By Amina Wadud

…try remembering to humble myself before the throne of the All mighty, the Bestower of favors, and go right on ahead and ask for what I want. That too shows love and trust. I trust that Allah will bring some repose, or grant a favor. I also have a little bit of concern over that: “be careful what you pray for.” Sometimes the consequences of one prayer’s answer are more troubles than you were facing. So, better to be prudent. I used to have a stick…

A New Theopolitical Order: But What About The Women?

By Frances Kissling

…their poverty and marginalization. The first is feminism; the second is at best humanism and at worst patronizing. If you are a left-leaning religious—or nonreligious—person and you do not know what the feminist religious project is, you are not alone. Theo-politics has always been dominantly Christian and male, as is most of American public life—the new theo-politicians are mostly Catholic and evangelical and hold traditional religious views. The…

To the One-Percenters, With Love

By Garret Keizer

…o regroup the protesters who’ve been scattered by the police. Is money the best thing you have to leave your grandchildren? Is a killing in the market your best incentive for not killing yourself? Yes, some of your colleagues would laugh at you if you went out to protest. Marie Antoinette laughed too, until she found herself smiling up from the bottom of a wicker basket. The image will seem over-the-top only to the slow learners. I mean tho…