Category Archives: Islam
Children of Heaven
My kids loved this award-winning 1997 Iranian film. They were very hesitant to watch another sub-titled foreign film but I told them to try the first 10 minutes and then we can stop if they don’t like it. My son … Continue reading
We aren’t a religion
The best way to get away from all the accusations against religion is real simple: just claim that you are not a religion. I can’t tell you how many times, I have heard religions say that their religion “… is … Continue reading
Filed under Buddhism, Christianity, Hindu, Islam, Religion
Credal Belonging: Buddhist, Muslim & Christian
Buddhism has many sects — all with varying beliefs and practices. Many of these beliefs and practices contradict each other boldly – for instance: Pure Land Buddhism offer faith-based one-the-spot (sudden) salvation schemes surprisingly similar to Christianity while Soto Zen … Continue reading
Filed under Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Religion
Classifying Atheists (part II)
My chart in the last post looked at two qualities of Atheists in relationship to discussing religion: their systematic interest level in religion and their religious temperament. Below is the same chart but now plainly illustrating some sub-groups. My experience … Continue reading
Filed under Atheism, Christianity, Cognitive Science, Islam, Judaism, Philosophy, Religion
A Fictitious-Jesus Salawat
When a Muslim uses the name of Muhammad, they tag on the expression Alayhis salaam (“peace be upon him”). In written English, “Peace be upon him” is abbreviated “PBUH”. “PBUH” is thus a mandatory tagged-on honorific salutation called a “salwat“. … Continue reading
Filed under Atheism, Christianity, Islam, Religion
Atheist Practices Lent
Christians use Lent, the 40 days prior to Easter, as a time of self-reflection, self-denial, penitence and prayer. Muslims use Ramadan for a month-long time of self-restraint and day-time fasting. Jews use Yom Kippur as a day of fasting where … Continue reading
Filed under Atheism, Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Philosophy, Religion
Religious Sell-out
Many years ago I was in a dual Ph.D. program in Philosophy and South Asian Studies at the University of Minnesota with a sub-specialty of comparative Religious Studies. For money I worked nights and weekends at a Psychiatric Juvenile Center … Continue reading
Kabir’s Dead Body
“I am not a Hindu, Nor a Muslim am I! I am this body, a play Of five elements; a drama Of the spirit dancing With joy and sorrow.” – Kabir (1440 – 1518) Kabir was an Indian mystic composer … Continue reading
Filed under Christianity, Hindu, Islam, Religion
Atheists get more dates !
The on-line dating service OkCupid, analyzed >500,00 first contacts on their dating site to see what factors make a reply more probable. Below are some of the fun facts their data revealed: This graph illustrates that, on OkCupid, declaring oneself … Continue reading
Convert an Atheist Contest
I subscribe to a news magazine called “The Week” which is running a contest to name a TV show about Atheists. The show is a Turkish game show which pits a Greek Orthodox priest, a rabbi, a Buddhist monk and … Continue reading
Filed under Atheism, Buddhism, Christianity, Humor, Islam, Judaism, Religion, Religious Dialogue
Mirror Neurons : Our Moral Imagination
I am reading Robert Wright’s excellent book on “The Evolution of God”. Over at “Liberty and Skepticism“, I wrote a short post on one of Wright’s recent essays — please go take a look.
Filed under Atheism, Buddhism, Christianity, Evolution, Islam, Philosophy, Political Philosophy, Religion, Science
Curriculum of Understanding
Imagine an acquaintance … who is a non-believer but who is interested in examining your beliefs1 but who is only mildly interested and doesn’t want a large commitment they want to understand your faith from your perspective Consider developing a … Continue reading
Filed under Atheism, Buddhism, Christianity, Critical Thinking, Islam, Judaism, Philosophy, Religion, Religious Dialogue, Taoism, Theology
Sources on Islam
Koran On-line Sources: IslamiCity An Islamic site. Searchable. Translations: M Asad, Yusuf Ali, Picktall Commentary by Asad University of Southern California: “Center for Muslim-Jewish Engagement”. Can’t search, but side by side translations. Translations: Yusuf Ali, Pickthall, Shakir. University of Virginia … Continue reading
Islam’s Goyology
Gentle Edicts “But if they strive with thee to make thee ascribe unto Me as partner that of which thou hast no knowledge, then obey them not. Consort with them in the world kindly, and follow the path of him … Continue reading
Muslims Plea for Understanding
On a liberal Christian site (one I like reading occassionally) I saw this letter posted pleading for an end to torture. Indeed, a wonderful plea. Obviously it was also trying to help non-Muslims see that there are Muslims who are … Continue reading
Goyology
Goyology (definition): One’s beliefs, attitudes and behaviors towards others outside your group Goyology exists in religious groups, philosophical circles, ethnic groups, clubs, nations or any grouping of people who self-define their group. Etymology: I found no theological category capturing this … Continue reading
Filed under Atheism, Christianity, Ethics, Islam, Judaism, Philosophy, Religion, Religious Dialogue, Theology
