Sightings Articles
Defining American Culture: Secular, Religious, or Religiosecular? -- Martin E. Marty
In the constant efforts, over the definition of American culture as "secular," "religious," or, as we prefer (though we'd look for a better word), "religiosecular," religious apologists regularly point to the academy and politics as the most secular ...
September 17, 1999
Handling Distinct Religious Beliefs -- Martin E. Marty
In our business of monitoring the press coverage of religious themes, we find that from time to time it is in place not just to make news about news but to reflect upon reflection. This we now do in reference to an important column on a neglected the...
September 16, 1999
Examining Words: Religion, Faith, and Spirituality -- Martin E. Marty
"Religion," designed to be used as a neutral term, has come to be part of a "them's-fightin'-words" debate in public. Many have noted that in the mouths of many, "spirituality" has come to mean a replacement for "religion." But a foreign visitor or...
September 13, 1999
What Is the Status of the Denomination in American Public Life? -- Martin E. Marty
Seldom have we gone sighting religion in its denominational forms. With good reason, some would say: religion draws attention today more in expressions of individualized spirituality, at local assemblies, through causes and caucuses and parachurches,...
August 26, 1999
"The State of the Arts" and Public Religion, Part 2 -- Martin E. Marty
A few days ago we ventured to do some sightings of public religion in the arts, drawing on a tenth anniversary issue of IMAGE and its "State of the Arts" symposium. Having scanned in the last Sighting the print media, let's look at other arts as ex...
August 20, 1999
"The State of the Arts" and Public Religion, Part 1 -- Martin E. Marty
Public religion, we cannot repeat often enough, is not the same thing as "religion and politics." Public religion has to do with faith and spirituality in the academy, the forum, in media and the marketplace, in the conference hall and the gallery. W...
August 17, 1999
Books: Private Religion Is Big -- and an Important Public Fact -- Martin E. Marty
Sighting "religion" and "spirituality" in American bookstores will beeasier than ever this fall. In PUBLISHERS WEEKLY'S semiannual preview (July 12), Lynn Garrett summarizes: "The sleeping giant of religion/spirituality book sales began to stir more ...
August 5, 1999
Directions in the Academic Study of Religion -- Martin E. Marty
"Have you read Luke Timothy Johnson's review in COMMONWEAL?" a friend asked. We hadn't. "Johnson's comment on religious studies in the academy relates to your 'public religion.'" Yes. Emory University's Johnson reviews Carol Delaney's ABRAHAM ON T...
August 4, 1999
"God Decides Who Goes to Heaven, Not George W. Bush" -- Martin E. Marty
Unfair! That is what we would have to say in response to a July 21 column by Michael Kinsley, who writes for (and edits) SLATE, the Internet magazine of opinion. Eric Greenberg, of the JEWISH WEEKLY, called it to our attention and asked for comment...
August 2, 1999
Rites of Mourning and a Grand Narrative -- Martin E. Marty
Discussions continue: Do American citizens share any "grand narrative," any common framework of stories that helps bind them? Did they ever, or should we be content to be "storyless" people, constituted by separate and conflicting stories, each appro...