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Date: 2 February 2012
For Many Black Americans, 'Atheist' is a Four-Letter Word
Jamila Bey was 19 when she told her mother she was agnostic. In a country where nearly 90 percent of black Americans believe in God with “absolute certainty,” that didn’t go over very well. “And she said to me, I can’t believe I have a child who thinks that way.” This week: two black atheists talk frankly about why being a non-believer is a cultural taboo, and how that’s beginning to change.
Pictured: Members of Secular Students at Howard University. Mark Hatcher created the group in 2010.
Mark Hatcher, founder of Secular Students of Howard University
Jamila Bey, journalist and host of "SPARring With Jamila: The Sex, Politics and Religion Hour on the Voice of Russia Radio"
Sacred Dance and Censorship in Pakistan
Begins at 37 min
In the 1970s, the Pakistani government outlawed all kinds of cultural performances, from theater and music shows to classical dancing. Under General Zia ul Haq, the arts were considered haraam, or forbidden by the teachings of Islam. But that didn’t stop a tiny group of Pakistani dancers, who continued to practice and perform privately. One of them is Tehreema Mitha, the subject of a new documentary, "The Vigil."
Tehreema Mitha now travels around the world to perform traditional Bharatanatyam dances. She also performs in a style of her own design, fusing contemporary and classical dance styles to tell modern, human stories.
For our DC listeners: The Vigil will be screened at the Goethe Institute on February 12th as part of the Our City Film Festival.
Tehreema Mitha, founder of the Tehreema Mitha Dance Company
Arya Surowijojo, director and producer of "The Vigil"
Web Extra: Your Feedback to the March for Life Rally
Last week we asked for your responses to our audio snapshot of the 2012 March for Life Rally - and we heard you. Take a listen to some of the reactions.
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Date: 2 February 2012
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Date: 26 January 2012
Man Seeks God
When a health scare and the onset of middle age launched him into a deep spiritual crisis, Eric Weiner, a self-described “Confusionist,” started looking for answers in the world’s religions. Eight traditions and three years later, he’s still asking questions, and says he can't "ride off into the sunset with the deity of my dreams.” But he did settle on something. He calls it an "Ikea God" - a kind of religion mix tape, with some assembly required.
Eric Weiner, author of "Man Seeks God: My Flirtations with the Divine"
The Ethics of Drone Warfare
Begins at 32 min 15 sec
Drone warfare – dropping bombs remotely with the push of a button - is less expensive and less risky than traditional combat. And it's changing the rules about what it means to go to war. Two sides weigh the moral pros and cons of the new weapon of choice in the war against terrorism.
David Cortright, Director of Policy Studies at the Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies
Amitai Etzioni, professor of international affairs and sociology at The George Washington University.
Audio Postcard: The 2012 March for Life
Begins at 48 min 20 sec
Every year since 1974, hundreds of thousands of anti-abortion advocates have traveled from all over the country to Washington D.C. to be part of the March for Life. It’s a way to protest Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion in the United States. For many marchers, it’s also a way to show their commitment to their faith. This year’s rally was on Monday, January 23rd. We spoke to some of the crowd about why they were there.
Produced by Ellen Rolfes
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Date: 20 January 2012
Cutting and Pasting the New Testament
With a razor blade and glue brush, our third President carefully excised parts of the Gospels he considered supernatural and untrue - including all references to the divinity of Jesus. The final product is known as the Jefferson Bible. It was a work of private reflection, written in secret. Had it been published during his lifetime, it might have become one of the most controversial religious works of the time.
The Jefferson Bible has just been re-issued by Tarcher/Penguin. The original copy, newly conserved, is now on display at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History until May 2012. Flip through virtual pages of the Thomas Jefferson Bible, courtesy of the Smithsonian.
Pictured: a fold-out tab Jefferson glued to the margin of page 56.
Mitch Horowitz, editor-in-chief at Tarcher/Penguin Publishing House
A Groundbreaking Poll of Mormons in America
Begins at 24 min 2 sec
The Pew Forum has just published the largest survey of Mormon attitudes and beliefs ever conducted by a non-Mormon group. Some findings are what you might expect: most American Mormons are white, conservative, well-educated and family-oriented. Others are surprising: many Mormons still feel misunderstood, but optimistic about their acceptance by the rest of society.
Greg Smith, a senior researcher for the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life
Sex, Mom and God
Begins at 38 min 16 sec
Frank Schaeffer spent his early career in the evangelical royalty - a "700 Club" regular and the son of a famous Christian theologian, Francis Schaeffer. He eventually turned his back on many fundamentalist teachings, and discovered that his mother, Edith, had her own reservations. Especially about teachings on sex.
Frank Schaeffer, author of "Sex, Mom and God: How the Bible's Strange Take on Sex Led to Crazy Politics - and How I learned to Love Women (and Jesus) Anyway"
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Date: 13 January 2012
On Judaism, Spock and Spirituality
From 1966 to 1969, Leonard Nimoy played Mr. Spock on the original Star Trek series. Those three years as a half-human, half-Vulcan science fiction character would change his life, making him the public face of one of the most popular franchises in television history.
But there is an intensely private, spiritual side of Leonard Nimoy that isn’t as well known. The son of a barber, Nimoy grew up in an Orthodox Jewish family in Boston, where he became captivated by the mystery and poetry of Jewish rituals. His interest in Judaism has stayed with him, informing his work as a poet, photographer, and even his portrayal of Mr. Spock.
He spoke to Nadine Epstein, editor of Moment Magazine, the national independent Jewish publication co-founded by Elie Wiesel. This is part of our collaboration with Moment that explores great Jewish artists and thinkers.
Leonard Nimoy, photographer, film director, poet and actor
Would Alien Contact Change Religion on Earth?
Begins at 19 min 21 sec
There will be a moment - perhaps as soon as twenty years from now – when humans make contact with intelligent alien life. And when we do, a host of theologians, scientists and religious leaders will be prepared with questions. Will knowing we're not alone in the universe change the way we understand humanity? Will it change the way we understand God?
Pictured: The star-forming region of the Large Magellanic Cloud, a galaxy about 160,000 light-years away from the Milky Way.
Douglas Vakoch, director of Interstellar Message Composition at the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence Institute
Ted Peters, professor of theology at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary
Brian Greene: Understanding Science, and Ourselves
Begins at 46 min 52 sec
Brian Greene is a cosmologist who studies string theory – a ‘theory of everything’ that attempts to explain all the forces of matter within the cosmos. For him, studying the laws of time and space can lead to a deeper knowledge. “The better we understand the universe's rules,” he says, “the more deeply we can appreciate our lives within it.”
Produced by Jay Allison and Dan Gediman, with John Gregory and Viki Merrick. Available in "This I Believe: The Personal Philosophies of Remarkable Men and Women"
Brian Greene, professor of physics and mathematics at Columbia University and author of "The Hidden Reality: Parallel Universes and The Deep Laws of the Cosmos"
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Date: 12 January 2012
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Date: 12 January 2012
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Date: 5 January 2012
A Year in Religious Publishing
What everyone was talking about: an evangelical pastor’s reflection on where non-Christians spend eternity. What everyone had enough of: books about the King James Bible. This week, we look back on a year in religious publishing. The best-of list includes a memoir of a new Christian mother who’s child has Down syndrome; the story of a group of Buddhist monks who saved their monastery from a wildfire; and a humor book that makes “a serious argument for joy” in religion.
Check out Marcia's selections for the Best Books of 2011
Marcia Nelson, Associate Religion Editor at Publishers Weekly
Churches Take on Big Banks
Begins at 13 min 38 sec
All around the country, a growing number of churches, mosques and synagogues are switching bank accounts. They’re withdrawing millions of dollars out of big banks, like Bank of America and Wells Fargo, and putting their money into community banks and credit unions. It’s a way to protest what they see as unfair mortgage and lending habits- and they’re not quiet about the change.
Pictured: Rev. Bell speaks to crowd about why his church is divesting from Bank of America.
Rev. Ryan Bell, pastor of Hollywood Adventist Church
The Quest for the Historical Satan
Begins at 24 min 53 sec
Most of us imagine Satan as a red guy with hooves, a forked tongue, a tail, and a big pitchfork. We also imagine him as the incarnation of absolute evil. But you won’t find that description anywhere in the Bible. In fact, the scriptures say he looks a lot like us.
Pictured: Satan as Lucifer, the fallen archangel, tempting Jesus in the desert. The name "Lucifer" wasn't clearly applied to Satan until around the third century.
Albert Hernandez, co-author of "The Quest for the Historical Satan"
The Church of Satan: Loving the Carnal Self
Begins at 35 min 31 sec
Despite their name, Satanists don’t worship the Devil. They don’t even believe he exists. For members of the Church of Satan, there is nothing supernatural about the universe. There is no God or devil, no heaven or hell, and no need to worship in religious organizations. Magus Peter Gilmore explains that Satanists
"see Satan as a symbol of a deeply human approach to existence, of triumphing carnally and enjoying life, and not putting it off to look for some possible spiritual existence.”
Magus Peter H. Gilmore, high priest of the Church of Satan
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Date: 29 December 2011
Inside the Believing Brain
Don’t tell Michael Shermer about your quirky new medical cure or folk legend – he probably won’t believe you. He’s the founding publisher of Skeptic Magazine, which he created in 1992 to help people think more critically about pseudoscience and superstitions – everything from Holocaust denial to a belief in Bigfoot. In his new book, Shermer says we’re hardwired to form strong beliefs, even when those beliefs don’t make much sense. From July 2011.
Michael Shermer, author of "The Believing Brain: From Ghosts and Gods to Politics and Conspiracies: How We Construct Beliefs and Reinforce Them as Truths"
Should Doctors Hasten Death?
Begins at 21 min 36 sec
Dr. Jack Kevorkian – the public face of physician-assisted suicide – died in early June. He said he helped about 130 people end their lives with homemade machines he called the “Mercitron” and “Thanatron.” A bioethicist explains the pros and cons of one of the most controversial practices in both religion and medicine. From June 2011.
Web extra: Hear the full interview
Art Caplan, director of the Center for Bioethics at the University of Pennsylvania
Making the Choice: Merrily's Story
Begins at 42 min 25 sec
Last year, when Merrily Laytner learned that her ovarian cancer left her with only a few months to live, she chose the option of a physician-assisted suicide – or as she preferred to call it, death with dignity. She passed away Oct. 24, 2010, though in the end she chose not to take the prescription that would end her life. Her husband, Rabbi Anson Laytner, talks about the most difficult decision he and his wife ever had to make. From June 2011.
Pictured: Anson and Merrily Laytner in February 2010.
Rabbi Anson Laytner, hospice chaplain at Kline Galland Home
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Date: 23 December 2011
A Short History of the Christmas Masterpiece
You know it’s Christmas when you hear Handel’s Messiah, an 18th century oratorio best known for the 'Hallelujah' chorus. Its words are taken from the King James Bible and the Book of Common Prayer, covering the entire arc of Christ as the Christian savior - from Isaiah’s first prophecy to his ascension into heaven. This week we find out why, 270 years after it was first composed, it remains one of the most beloved choral works in all of Western music.
Ellen Harris, music historian and professor of music at Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Five Years 'On Faith'
Begins at 25 min 30 sec
Five years ago, Washington Post reporter Sally Quinn – a devout non-believer - decided to tackle one of the touchiest topics in all of journalism. She created the Web site and blog, On Faith, which has become a public forum for clergy, scholars, and the interested public to reflect on religion in the news.
Sally Quinn, Washington Post columnist and moderator for "On Faith"
Project Conversion: Reflecting Back on a Year of 'Spiritual Promiscuity'
Begins at 39 min 15 sec
This week we say a sad farewell to Andrew Bowen, creator of Project Conversion. We’ve followed him as he slept on the floor as a Jain monk, got harassed as a Sikh, celebrated Passover as a Jew, and fasted as a Muslim – among other things.
He joins us with his wife, Heather, who says the year was “the greatest challenge, blessing and threat” to their seven-year marriage.
Pictured: Bowen praying the Rosary. He spent December practicing Roman Catholicism.
Andrew Bowen, creator of Project Conversion, and his wife, Heather Bowen
