Genealogy of Religion

Exploring the Origins, History and Future of Religion

Entries Tagged as 'Christopher Hitchens'

Hitchens on Anti-Semitism

September 2nd, 2010 · No Comments · Axial Age Religions, History of Religions

Provocative and thoughtful as he usually is, Hitchens opines on anti-semitism for The Atlantic:
There is, probably first and certainly foremost, religious anti-Semitism. Unlike other nations or peoples, Jews were among the witnesses to the alleged lives and preachings of Jesus and Muhammad, and turned away from men they deemed false Messiahs. It is inconceivable that [...]

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Christian America and Religious Intolerance

August 11th, 2010 · 1 Comment · Atheism and Religion, Axial Age Religions, Civil Religion, Emotions and Religion

In an odd article that attempts to situate Anne Rice’s very public proclamation that she is leaving the Catholic Church within the larger context of American Christianity, Los Angeles Times religion reporter William Lobdell makes two apparently contradictory claims:

American Christianity is not well, and there’s evidence to indicate that its condition is more critical [...]

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Christopher Hitchens’ Humish Interview

August 8th, 2010 · No Comments · Atheism and Religion, History of Religions, Philosophy of Religion

As many know, Christopher Hitchens (the cheeky British gadfly of God) has esophageal cancer.  Although he announced this and took a break to undergo treatment, I noticed last week he had resumed writing some columns.  Yesterday, I found this recent video interview over at The Atlantic; it is simultaneously heart-wrenching and moving.
It is heart-wrenching because [...]

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The Hydra Head of Islam

July 22nd, 2010 · No Comments · Axial Age Religions, Globalization and Religion, History of Religions, Philosophy of Religion

Over at HuffPo Religion, Cynthia Boaz has written an earnest piece that implores Americans to think harder about Islam and not simply demonize it.  I agree with much of what she says but the unfortunate fact is that her plea will fall on few or deaf ears.  Not many religious or political extremists are reading [...]

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What is Agnosticisim?

July 5th, 2010 · No Comments · Atheism and Religion, Classifications of Religion, Definitions of Religion, Methodology of Religion

Over at Slate, Ron Rosenbaum has penned a manifesto for the “new agnosticism,” which he sees as an alternative to credulous theism on the the one hand and strident atheism on the other.  Rosenbaum’s position deserves considerable merit and has some appeal, but I am not sure I can agree with him on this definition:
Agnosticism [...]

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Hard Science Meets Soft Religion

July 3rd, 2010 · No Comments · Atheism and Religion, Cognition and Religion, Daily Devolutions, History of Religions, Methodology of Religion, Philosophy of Religion, Religion as Evolutionary Adaptation, Religion as Evolutionary Byproduct, Ritual and Religion

Over at HuffPo Religion, Dr. Rustum Roy — a geochemist — accuses the media of criminal conduct in its reporting of the non-existent war between science and religion.  In the course of doing so, Roy tilts at several windmills and claims special authority for “hard” or “classical” science.
Roy begins by touting his credentials as a [...]

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Hitchens Soul-Hammers Prince Charles

June 17th, 2010 · No Comments · Atheism and Religion, Daily Devolutions, Emotions and Religion, Magic and Religion, Power and Religion, Ritual and Religion

Whether or not you like Christopher Hitchens, one thing is certain: he can turn an incisive phrase.  At his best, Hitchens writes with an acerbic aplomb that can be charming; at his worst, he is downright nasty.
With the latter Hitchens in mind, I have not yet been able to bring myself to read his jeremiad, [...]

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Witnessing for Jehovah, Shacking Up with God, and Writing Religion

June 3rd, 2010 · 2 Comments · Atheism and Religion, Axial Age Religions, Cultural Evolution of Religion, Economy and Religion, History of Religions, Recent and New Religions

The Jehovah’s Witnesses are a fascinating group and highly successful in growing their membership.  For those who don’t know much about them, I recommend Rodney Stark’s and Laurence Iannaccone’s article “Why the Jehovah’s Witnesses Grow So Rapidly: A Theoretical Application.”  The article contains a concise history of the Witnesses, and then attempts to explain their [...]

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