Sightings Articles

Orthodoxy | Holy and Great Council | ethnophyletism | autocephalous | diaspora | Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople | Orthodox Primates | fundamentalism

Fate of Orthodox Christianity's Great and Holy Council Hangs in the Balance

The Holy and Great Council (if it takes place) will have historical momentum, not only for Orthodox believers, but also for the global religious landscape....

January 21, 2016

Anglican Communion | Episcopal Church | global South | same-sex marriage

Fractured Christian World(s)

Look at medieval maps of Europe, urges Robert D. Kaplan in the Wall Street Journal (see "Resources" below) and you will be overwhelmed by the dizzying incoherence—all of those empires, kingdoms, confederations, “minor” states, “upper” this and “lower...

January 18, 2016

Islam | Charlie Hebdo | Jesus | Saudi Arabia

Blasphemy

Rethinking blasphemy...

January 11, 2016

feminism | Buddhism | Japan | Episcopal Church | Otani sect | Pure Land School

When It Comes to Gender Equality, Religion in Japan Lags Behind

Religion in Japan still lags far behind Japanese politics when it comes to gender equality. The World Assembly for Women (WAW!) convened in Tokyo last August, and, although it focused on the protection of women against violence and discrimination,...

January 7, 2016

Seekers | Spirituality | nones | Deepak Chopra | Ram Das | Marianne Williamson

Post-Religious, Post-Spirituality Seekers

Asking questions about new spirituality...

January 4, 2016

epidemic | contagion | gun violence | Second Amendment | gun lobby | gun legislation

Epidemic as Metaphor: Meaning and Morality in Our Narratives of Gun Violence

Much could be written, has been written, and still needs to be written about gun violence, the Second Amendment, responsible gun ownership, the gun lobby, and politicians. But here—for a moment—I want to pause and consider two metaphors that are beco...

December 31, 2015

Larycia Hawkins | Wheaton College | hijab | ISIS | Miroslav Volf | God

Tolerance and Truth(s)

upheavals at suburban Wheaton College...

December 21, 2015

climate change | Paris Agreement | COP21 | Tearfund | Islamic Climate Change Declaration | Global Catholic Climate Movement | ACT Alliance | Religions for Peace | Our Voices

Historic Paris Climate Agreement Reflects Years of Advocacy by Religious People

Last Saturday, world leaders from 196 nations who had gathered in Paris adopted a historic agreement about climate change ...

December 17, 2015