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New Study Claims to ‘Explain’ Near-Death Religious Experiences

By Michael Schulson

…for neuroscientists interested in religion—and for religious folks worried about the findings of neuroscience. But there’s no need to panic and reassure believers, as Catholic Online recently did, that “faith remains strong” even after this “gruesome study involving rats.” Sure, The Economist is now suggesting that if near-death experiences are divine, then rats must have souls, and there’s always the overeager journalist who will jump to conclusi…

Conservatism’s Bulldog Claims Psychology Tilts Liberal

By Ira Chernus

…oral Foundations Theory.” It glibly assumes that liberals are so concerned about fairness and harm-prevention only because they want their own personal well-being protected, that they don’t care about the well-being of the society as conservatives do. This is a case of seeing the philosophical trees but missing the forest of actual life. Sure, there’s a long history of liberal theory based on individual rights. But when you talk to real live lib…

Holey Holey Holey: The Problem with a New Study Valuing Religion at $1.2 Trillion Per Year

By Michael Schulson

…e of worship, and financial analysts don’t spend too much time thinking about faith. A dearth of data contributes in both cases, no doubt, due in part to special exemptions in the tax code that allow congregations to disclose far less information about their finances than other kinds of nonprofits. Still, when it comes to journalists and scholars writing about the role of religion in America, we’d all do well to remember to follow the money. * * *…

On Pi Day, Puzzling Over the Most Famous Transcendental Number

By Ilana E. Strauss

…ne bother climbing Everest anymore?” he asked me. “Because everybody knows about it.” People pay attention to pi partly because it’s so entrenched in culture. Pi is famous, and fame attracts more fame. Still, he adds, “It’s the only math object that goes back to the history of clay tablets that’s still studied seriously, 4,000 years later.” Pi draws attention not just on its own, but inside equations. For instance, it’s is an essential part of Eul…

House Health Care Bill Discriminates Against Religious Freedom

By Gordon D. Newby

…becomes the basis for new legislation, religious Americans across the spectrum of faiths will be subjected to limitations that will contravene their faith’s most well-considered and cherished views about the major questions of life, reproduction, and freedom of religious conscience; freedoms imagined by our nation’s founders as central to the nature of our country….

Euthanasia Billboards, Post-Rapture Pet Care, Can You Tell a Burqa from a Hijab?

By Michael J. Altman

…aptize you with his handy blow dryer. Or if you do believe in God, worried about what happens to Fido or Mr. Boots after you’re raptured? Eternal Earth-bound Pets, USA is a group of atheists willing to take care of your pet after you’ve been taken to glory. Tuesday marked the 41st anniversary of the moon landing. What did evangelicals think about it, at the time? NPR offers a view into religious life in China. So far, the series has profiled women…

Steve Jobs Reincarnated as Divine Half-Yak

By Andrew Aghapour

For Apple fans still recovering from Steve Jobs’ untimely death last year, there is some hope yet. According to Phra Thepyanmahamuni, the abbot of the Wat Phra Dhammakaya in Thailand, Jobs was reincarnated into a divinity “of middle rank – half a Witthayathorn, half yak.” The Thai Buddhist New Religious Movement posted a three-part essay on their website describing the life, death, and reincarnation of Jobs, claiming that he also invented the win…

Australians Vote Overwhelmingly For Marriage Equality; and More in Global LGBT Recap

By Peter Montgomery

…rld. Indeed, they reminded us at the conference why we were right to worry about the state of democracy.” Brazilian singer Yann has recruited more than two dozen celebrities, including Celine Dion, Britney Spears, Lorde, and John Waters for a music video calling for an end to anti-LGBT violence in Brazil. From Kelsey Minor at NewNowNext: Sao Paulo is home to one of the world’s largest Pride celebrations and Brazil passed marriage equality two year…

Uncertainty About US Role In LGBT Human Rights Under Trump; Global LGBT Recap

By Peter Montgomery

…zations and their supporters—efforts that Sister Jeannine feels will bring about many blessings. When asked about the situation in the U.S. in the future, she responded that the mission may become more difficult to accomplish in the new presidential administration, but like her friends in Poland, she is ready to keep on working. Nigeria: Writers and artists commemorate anti-gay law with anthology Pop culture site Konbini reported this month that N…

Rand Paul’s Buddhist Roots Uncovered

By Julie Ingersoll

…Aqua-Buddha college pranks notwithstanding, Rand Paul embraces Buddhist notions of the interconnectedness of everything and the illusion of difference; “nothingness” is The Word. Thanks to my colleague Jon for sharing. The Colbert Report Mon – Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c The Word – Nothingness www.colbertnation.com Colbert Report Full Episodes 2010 Election March to Keep Fear Alive…