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Category: Religion & Politics
Curtis Freeman on Undomesticated Religious Dissent
In the Bunhill Fields cemetery across from Wesley Chapel in London, there are three graves of prominent English dissenters — John Bunyan, Daniel Defoe, and William Blake. Our guest this week, Prof. Curtis Freeman (Duke Divinity School), encountered these memorials a few years back and he was sent on a scholarly journey that investigated the role of “undomesticated dissent” in British and American history. He shares his findings and why a deeper understanding of these three writers are important for the context of democratic governance. [ READ THE FULL ARTICLE ] Brandon O’Brien on Isaac Backus and Religious Liberty
One of the unsung heroes of religious liberty in the United States is Isaac Backus. Dr. Brandon O’Brien (Redeemer City to City) explores the life and struggles of this colonial preacher and fighter for religious liberty, showing how Backus was able to thread the needle between government endorsed religion and a secular society. Stay tuned for a big announcement. [ READ THE FULL ARTICLE ] James Hudnut-Beumler on Religion in the Now South
Prof. James Hudnut-Beumler returns to our show to discuss his new book “Strangers and Friends at the Welcome Table,” an academic and “road trip” look at Christianity in the contemporary South. We look at Southern religion as it was in the past and what trends are reshaping the landscape today, including the rise of megachurches, homeschooling, and acceptance of alternative lifestyles. [ READ THE FULL ARTICLE ] David Smith on Episodic Religious Persecutions (Encore Presentation)
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. We are still sorting things out with the podcast. Please be patient. [ READ THE FULL ARTICLE ] Richard Nielsen on Deadly Clerics
What motivates some Islamic clerics to advocate political violence? Prof. Richard Nielsen (MIT) talks about the frustrated pathways that many imams — who see themselves as scholars — face. When their intellectual ambition is blocked by actions of the state and other social conditions, one possible pathway is to advocate rebellion. We are back from a short sabbatical and hope to have more fresh episodes in the offing. [ READ THE FULL ARTICLE ] David Patel on Religion & Social Order in Iraq (Encore Presentation)
We are still on a break. In the meantime, enjoy one of Tony’s favorite interviews from the past. Why have many women in the Middle East resorted to increasingly conservative modes of dress in recent decades? And what happens after a political regime rapidly collapses leaving society in near total chaos as happened in Iraq […] [ READ THE FULL ARTICLE ] Barry Hankins on Jesus, Gin, and the Culture Wars (Encore Presentation)
We are still on a sabbatical but hope to return with new audio formatting and access modes in the next month. Please stay tuned. [ READ THE FULL ARTICLE ] Charles North on Religion, Economic Development, and Rule of Law (Encore Presentation)
While we are still on a short sabbatical, please enjoy this popular “blast from the past.” Prof. Charles North discusses his research linking religion to the rule of law and economic development. We survey the literature on religion and economic growth, and then chat about North’s findings wherein Protestantism, Catholicism, and Hinduism were statistically linked to higher support for “rule of law” and lower levels of corruption. We discuss some of the potential causal reasons for this connection, which takes us back to medieval Europe and the rise of canon law. [ READ THE FULL ARTICLE ] Anselm Rink on Missionaries and Political Authority
Missionaries often go forth into new territory seeking to win souls for their faith, but can they also affect the relationship between citizens and political leaders? Prof. Anselm Rink (University of Konstanz) discusses a study conducted on Protestant missionaries in Peru and how they altered levels of obedience and persuadability that regular people held toward government officials. Interestingly, the effects run in contrary directions. We also spend a bit of time discussion religious radicalization among Christians and Muslims in Kenya. Visit us on Facebook and Twitter for ongoing updates. [ READ THE FULL ARTICLE ] Kenneth Vaughan on Consociationalism, Religion, and Lebanon (and more)
Lebanon is one of the more religiously diverse nations in the Middle East with a mix of Sunnis, Shiites, Druze, and Maronites. How does this country maintain stability and have there been any stresses to the political arrangement known as consociationalism that helps to negotiate these differences? Kenneth Vaughan, a PhD candidate in sociology at Baylor University, explores this question and also discusses his other research and experiences in post-Soviet republics and China. We can be found on many podcast aggregators. Find us on your favorite! [ READ THE FULL ARTICLE ] |
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