Research On Religion | 2014

Archive for May, 2014

David Smith on Religion, International Relations, and Foreign Policy

Prof. David Smith of the University of Sydney returns to discuss the role religion plays in international relations and foreign policy. We chat about why international relations scholars have de-emphasized the role religion plays in cross-national interactions and how this might be changing. David also reviews how scholars now think that religion plays a role in diplomacy and foreign policy.

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Donald Kraybill on The Amish and Old Order Mennonites

One of the most distinctive and recognizable Christian groups in the United States are the Amish. But how much do we really know about this group? Prof. Don Kraybill, a noted scholar on Old Order Mennonites and Anabaptists, provides us with a historical background of the Amish and the related “horse and buggy” Mennonites. We also discuss their theology, ethnic/cultural practices, demographics, and economics. Along the way, we explode many of the myths and stereotypes in this wonderfully comprehensive interview.

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Jordan Lorence on Religious Property Cases

Tags: Bronx Household of Faith, Church of the Isaiah 58 Project, church signs, equal access, free exercise clause, Justice John Roberts, New Generation Christian Church, property rights, public schools, Reed v Town of Gilbert, religious freedom, religious liberty, RLUIPA, Supreme Court, tax exempt status, taxation, Tim Keller, Tonka Toys

Battles over property rights are one of the hottest topics in religious liberty litigation today. ADF lawyer Jordan Lorence discusses four current cases involving the ability of churches to rent public school space in New York City, an overdue tax bill for a church that is supposedly tax exempt, the size of signs advertising worship services, and a minimum acreage requirement for a small congregation.

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John Errington on “A Long Way Off” and Religious Movie Making

Tags: A Long Way Off, Destiny Road, Die Hard, Edie McClurg, film making, Gozilla, Harvard, Hollywood, Jason Burkey, Man of Steel, Noah, October Baby, Prodigal Productions LLC, prodigal son, Robert Davi, storytelling, Uptone Pictures, Word Films, Zoe Meyers

Writer, producer, and director John Errington joins us to discuss the most recent film he directed, “A Long Way Off,” a modern telling of the story of the prodigal son. We discuss the process of film making and the role that religious themes play in our contemporary cinematic culture. Our conversation also covers how smaller, independent religiously-based films are marketed through church organizations and via “word of mouth.”

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