I want you all to please get comfortable because we are going to use our imaginations for a bit. Okay? I want you to imagine the following story as a book that has yet to be published. Picture it as a draft of sorts. When I am finished in ten minutes, perhaps all of us,…… Continue reading A Christian Appreciates the Contributions of Muslims to American Society
One picture alone shtters the myth that Islam is a new religion in American society. This is the short story of Yarrow Marmood (pictured). He was allegedly born in the late 17th century in West Africa, but other estimates put his birth in the 18th century. Specifically, he was said to have been brought in bondage…… Continue reading One Picture Alone Shatters the Myth that Islam Is a New Religion in America
A few months ago, when I was teaching Sociology of Religion at Rice University, the topic of Ted Cruz and Christian privilege came up in our classroom. In response to questions about his commitment to conservatism, Cruz stated: “I’m a Christian first, American second, conservative third and Republican forth. I’ll tell ya, there are a whole…… Continue reading Dear America – Check Your Christian Privilege
In recent years researchers have highlighted the US government’s use of sexual humiliation as a form of torture. For example, this article highlights how children were sodomized in front of women by American terrorists at Abu Ghraib, and this piece looks at how American officials ordered prostitutes to menstruate on so-called “terrorists,” also at Abu Ghraib. Several thought-provoking questions come out of these…… Continue reading The Sexualization of Torture: An American Obsession
A great interview with Interfaith Youth Core founder Eboo Patel is up on Real Clear Religion. Patel, who wrote a nice review of Akbar Ahmed’s documentary Journey into America, which I directed, is one of the most important leaders in the U.S. today for his impressive work in promoting pluralism and interfaith dialogue. RealClearReligion: What is…… Continue reading Pluralist working towards making interfaith cooperation a norm in U.S.
Easter Sunday is an appropriate time for Americans to reflect upon the direction of their societies. Should America become a place that embodies the teachings of Jesus or Darwin? Akbar Ahmed weighs in: “A debilitating tension between Darwin and Jesus lies at the heart of American identity. It is not so much about how society…… Continue reading Americans Should Turn Their Minds to Jesus, Not Darwin, on Easter
It’s no secret that the Romney campaign has attempted to paint Obama as the socialist candidate bent on redistributing wealth to the poor. But is there any truth behind this claim? Forbes has recently published a list of the wealthiest people in the United States which provides a snapshot of the gross inequality in American society.…… Continue reading Politics: Rich getting richer under Obama’s watch
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