I recently watched the film “Kingdom of Heaven,” and I was struck by one of the final lines spoken by the character Saladin, a Muslim leader who battled to take over Jerusalem during the era of the Crusades. When questioned by Orlando Bloom’s character, Balian, a valiant defender of the Read More…
As is common in the religious world, the concepts of both agnosticism and atheism are unforgivingly complicated. Even the standard Google search does not adequately resolve inquiry into their basic definitions. My own attempts to tackle these two subjects were in fact quite humbling — I realized, once again, that Read More…
Three experts discussed religion’s role in Israel-Palestine conflicts Wednesday night at UC Berkeley. The discussion was organized by the Olive Tree Initiative, a student- and faculty-founded group with chapters on five UC campuses. Read More…
The truth is, I probably don’t agree with you. On one issue or another, I hold beliefs that fundamentally differ from those of my family members, roommates, other Cal Bears and fellow Americans. And this difference of opinion is the pride and joy of the American social makeup — we Read More…
A tiny scrap of papyrus is creating quite the buzz lately. Last Tuesday, Harvard Divinity School professor Karen King made public the text of this tentatively authentic fragment, which includes an alleged quote from Jesus saying the phrase “My wife …” followed by, “She will be able to be my disciple.” Read More…
Potential danger aside, I am a true lover of religion, even though I consider myself an atheist at this particular moment in time. My interest in religion stems from a long and complicated history in which people, places and dramas have left an indelible mark on my religious identity. Read More…
A tall man in his 40s with a booming laugh and a silver earring, Pastor Jeff Johnson has a lot to say about the role of the Christian church in the love lives of Christians and non-Christians alike. It is Taco Thursday at the University Lutheran Chapel, and Johnson is Read More…
