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Jewish Past/Israeli Future: A Review of The Invention of the Jewish People

By Shalom Goldman

….” The article focuses on Sand’s argument that most of the Jews of Eastern Europe were descended from the Khazars, an eighth century A.D. Turkic tribe that converted en masse to Judaism. In Goldstein’s reading of Sand: Put differently: If most Jews are not Semites, then what justification is there for a Jewish state in the Middle East? By attempting to demonstrate the Khazar origins of Eastern European Jewry, Mr. Sand—a self-described post-Zionist…

Sex Comes For the Archbishop: Rembert Weakland’s Unflinching Memoir

By Mary E. Hunt

…ing) tour of the world that took him to remote parts of Africa and Eastern Europe, all over Latin America, as well as throughout Western Europe, Asia, North America, and Australia. It read like good training for being Pope, if you ask me. Weakland was a contemporary and friend of the Jesuit’s beloved leader Pedro Arrupe. It was Rembert Weakland who gave Thomas Merton’s still-warm body the last rites when he died in Thailand. Benedictine life obvio…

Young Imam Reality Show, Debating Secularism, and More

By Michael J. Altman

…a symbol?” Like crucifixes in Italy, Muslim veils are facing bans in many European states. The Council of Europe urged countries to reconsider and passed a resolution stating that all-out bans on the veil violate women’s human rights. Some folks are even asking “Should I Quit My Religion?” And if you’re an atheist looking for a way to get the kids out of the house, think about Camp Quest, a camp for kids of “atheists, agnostics, humanists, and ot…

If Muslims Stop Drinking Will They Become Violent?

By Haroon Moghul

…ason Muslim women veil is because they are forced to. The evidence in many European societies, such as France, suggests otherwise. And while certainly there are extremists who believe their vile actions are justified by Islam, this is not what the majority of Muslims believe. Further, these assumptions handicap us because they mislead us about extremism’s origins. Rather than blame political causes, which are potentially solvable, we are pushed to…

Muslims Are Not the Only Group Endangered By Hate

By Shabana Mir

…troom and the proceeding silence in Germany point to a disturbing trend in Europe. It is okay to hate Muslims. Alex W. was not a “lone wolf” and many xenophobic groups are no longer quite fringe. These developments are disturbing to all Europeans, not just to Muslims. Because the doors of hatred do not operate singly. One door of hatred opens multiple doors. Non-Muslim immigrants and minorities should not reassure themselves that the focus on Musl…

Christianity v. Christ: An Excerpt From A People’s History of Christianity

By Diana Butler Bass

…at theologian but a killjoy. Eventually Calvin’s heirs, the Puritans, left Europe to set up a Christian society in the New World. The United States of America then became the most important Christian nation in the world, a beacon of faith and democracy. Big-C Christianity is militant Christianity. It is not necessary conservative religion, for there exist liberal versions of it as well. Rather, it is a theological disposition that interprets Chris…

Pariah or Charmed Hero: America’s Obsession with Jews and Israel

By Shaul Magid

…of guilt or, as she prefers, collective shame, what is interesting is that Europe’s renewed interest in (its) Jews and Judaism more generally does not translate into a reflexive support of Israel. This, I think, is a healthier attitude than America’s, which seems to have has less of an interest in Jews and Judaism per se, yet reflexively supports anything Israel does. It is true, I suppose, that some of this is a product of 9/11, “the War on Terro…

Opening the Door to Hell: Jewish Terrorism in Israel

By Shalom Goldman

…the holiest site in Judaism]. On the other hand, although in much smaller numbers, there are Jews who regard the very presence of the mosques as an obstacle to the redemption of the people of Israel. A larger number hold a Kahanist worldview, according to which—irrespective of the conflict with the Palestinians—the Jewish state should cast out the Arab minority from within. Some of them are willing to try to implement this goal in a violent way o…

Christian Conservatives Turn Off A Generation Of Voters (Or Maybe Not)

By Daniel Schultz

…-40 years there was long-term secular trend in the US as there has been in Europe. It always could happen but there is no evidence that it is happening at all….I think American religious life will renew itself. It will no doubt change; it always does. Historically, religion was a very positive progressive force in America. None of the major social movements in America lack a very positive religious motivation. The Civil Rights movement was at…

Abortion and the Stories Clergy Tell

By Dennis S. Ross

…las Windsor of England argued recently that abortion is a bigger threat to Europe than al-Qaeda. The reality is that when a woman believes she needs an abortion, not being able to get one poses a significant threat to her health and safety. And any member of the clergy can tell the tale. Clergy tell stories. It’s a tradition as old as the Bible. And it’s a common practice when someone dies. I just finished leading a burial service for a man I didn…