Genealogy of Religion

Exploring the Origins, History and Future of Religion

Entries Tagged as 'sharia'

“My Sharia” — Not in Oklahoma

November 3rd, 2010 · No Comments · Daily Devolutions

Yesterday Oklahoma voters approved a new law that prohibits state courts from considering Sharia or Islamic law in their decisions.  I have yet to do a Westlaw or Lexis search, but am confidently guessing that not a single Oklahoma state court has ever cited such law in a published decision.  It is of course always [...]

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Newt & The Holy Grail

September 25th, 2010 · No Comments · Daily Devolutions, Emotions, Power

While I wish it were true that Newt Gingrich were a comedian and his shtick was harmless fun, his high-profile pronouncements are so bizarre and paranoid that it truly is dangerous to national discourse.  Here is the latest from the fear monger, discussing his favorite incendiary issue — the Islamic Center to be built in [...]

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Hipster Christianity & Imam Idol

August 14th, 2010 · No Comments · Cultural Evolution, Globalization, Philosophy

In a competitive religious marketplace, producers are becoming increasingly savvy and perhaps even post-modern.  Although some old-timey producers bemoan this commercial development, others are embracing it.
Over at Rupert Murdoch’s transformative Wall Street Journal, the 20-something Brett McCracken churlishly warns his cohort about the “Perils of Hipster Christianity,” and discusses some of the uncool ways in [...]

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A Certain Kind of Islam and the Heinous Oppression of Women

July 31st, 2010 · 2 Comments · Classifications, Methodology, Morality, Power

Not long ago, I discussed an article on Islam by Cynthia Boaz.  In her article, Boaz attempted to correct several misconceptions regarding Islam and presented us with a progressive, liberal, and tolerant interpretation of Islam.  While there are Muslims outside of the US who interpret Islam in the way Boaz does, there are also Muslims [...]

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The Prayer Trade in Iran

July 1st, 2010 · No Comments · Axial Age, Economy, Magic, Ritual

Reuters reports that “specialists” in prayer writing and ritual are doing a booming business in Iran.  The whole business — or commodification of prayer — reminds one of the prayer and dispensation trade that existed in the Catholic Church for hundreds of years, and which so incensed Martin Luther:
In Islamic Iran where clerics rule, [...]

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Hitchens Soul-Hammers Prince Charles

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

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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