Religiøse problemstillinger og debatter

Jesus challenges us to love our enemies. In today's swirl of hatemongering, political polarization, and online nastiness, even Christians have skirted this command or given it up as impossible or foolish. What does it really mean to love our enemies? And how might our lives and our world change if we did? In this issue we apply these tough questions to real situations, and hear from people who have put this command into practice in some of the toughest circumstances.

The starting point is the current text of the Gospel. What Jesus said and did, the event through which God reveals himself as Lord of history, close to and involved with human affairs, is presented as a book written in the second half of the 1st century AD, in a specific cultural environment. The first level of reading is the one that applies to the book: understanding what the author intends to say, with his language and his conception of the world.

?A teen thriller in the vein of the '90s horror movie The Craft . . . A beautiful meditation on meditation . . . Frequently hilarious, and thoughtful throughout.? ?The New York Times Book Review"The Lightness could be the love child of Donna Tartt and Tana French, but its savage, glittering magic is all Emily Temple's own." ?Chloe Benjamin, New York Times bestselling author of The Immortalists A Belletrist Book Club Pick! A Most Anticipated Novel by Entertainment Weekly • USA Today • Marie Claire • Elle • WSJ. Magazine • Glamour • Vulture • Bustle • Buzzfeed • The Millions • The Philadelphia Inquirer • Minneapolis Star Tribune • The Daily Beast • Refinery 29 • Publishers Weekly • Literary Hub • Electric Literature • and more!A stylish, stunningly precise, and suspenseful meditation on adolescent desire, female friendship, and the female body that shimmers with rage, wit, and fierce longing?an audacious, darkly observant, and mordantly funny literary debut for fans of Emma Cline, Ottessa Moshfegh, and Jenny Offill.One year ago, the person Olivia adores most in the world, her father, left home for a meditation retreat in the mountains and never returned. Yearning to make sense of his shocking departure and to escape her overbearing mother?a woman as grounded as her father is mercurial?Olivia runs away from home and retraces his path to a place known as the Levitation Center.Once there, she enrolls in their summer program for troubled teens, which Olivia refers to as ?Buddhist Boot Camp for Bad Girls?. Soon, she finds herself drawn into the company of a close-knit trio of girls determined to transcend their circumstances, by any means necessary. Led by the elusive and beautiful Serena, and her aloof, secretive acolytes, Janet and Laurel, the girls decide this is the summer they will finally achieve enlightenment?and learn to levitate, to defy the weight of their bodies, to experience ultimate lightness. But as desire and danger intertwine, and Olivia comes ever closer to discovering what a body?and a girl?is capable of, it becomes increasingly clear that this is an advanced and perilous practice, and there's a chance not all of them will survive. Set over the course of one fateful summer that unfolds like a fever dream, The Lightness juxtaposes fairy tales with quantum physics, cognitive science with religious fervor, and the passions and obsessions of youth with all of these, to explore concepts as complex as faith and as simple as loving people?even though you don't, and can't, know them at all.?A suspenseful debut.? ?People Pick

60 års åndskamp udgøres af en samling tekster, der kommer rundt om en lang række kirkelige og kulturelle temaer. Bogen er disponeret, så det er nemt at orientere sig og læse efter tematisk interesse, hvis man ikke vil læse hele bogen fra ende til anden. Bogen afspejler en væsentlig del af det, der har rørt sig i samfundet og kirken gennem et par generationer, og vil derfor kunne kaldes et kirkehistorisk dokument.

God has set the stage for our life story to be acted out on and with the gift of a free will, it's up to each of us to decide what role we want to play; wilderness wanderers as the Israelites of ancient times, so close to the Promised Land yet not permitted to enter; or a believer in God's eternal promises fulfilled in Christ. There are only two options. God does have a plan for humanity; he has set forth a calendar, established a timetable; and we all live along that timetable, somewhere from its beginning, to the end of all human rule on Earth. He needs each of us to start again spiritually, to become willing participants in the inward transformation of our disposition, ready for the day to come. Becoming a Christian is easy. Maintaining the claim that Christ lives in you will be the most challenging, life-changing experience. How do we change our inner self to take on Christlikeness? How do we react in times when our faith is put to the test; - times of unknowables, those things sometimes beyond the limits of human experience or understanding? The primary purpose of this book is to introduce the real God, because if we seek a relationship with him, we must think of it in terms of a valuable human relationship. There needs to be a degree of attractiveness; we need to share similar values as God possesses to even begin to flourish and grow.

"Den forunderlige Koran" er en kortfattet men velformuleret bog, der dykker ned i et centralt emne i Islam, nemlig spørgsmålet om Koranens autenticitet. Hvordan kan man afgøre, om Koranen virkelig stammer fra universets Skaber, eller om den er menneskeskabt?

Secularism emerged in 17th-century Europe as an essential element of whatbecame the modern state. The separation of church and state that it entailedpaved the way for the democratic republics we take for granted today.Tolerance, as understood in the West, was sought to be introduced as statepolicy by the British in India too. But our nationalist leaders understood theircountry better than to adopt the concept without local adjustments.Political philosopher Nalini Rajan examines the tension between religiousfreedom and state intervention in India, a tension that comes with the ideaof 'principled' state intervention in matters of religion, as mandated by theConstitution. Demands for reservations and separate electorates by minoritiesin the early twentieth century had essentially ruled out absolute state neutralityin this respect. But it is only by analysing the fascinating debates on secularismin the Constituent Assembly (1946-49) that we see how and why the specificprovisions on minority rights-Articles 25 to 30-came to be adopted. Theseprovisions implicitly envisioned a key role for the judiciary. A full section ofthis book is thus devoted to understanding the role that the courts have playedin establishing, and just as importantly, defining Indian secularism-throughsuch judgements as in the Shirur Mutt case of 1954, the Durgah Committee case of1961, the Satsangi case of 1966, the Stanislaus case of 1977, the Shah Bano caseof 1985, the so-called 'Hindutva' cases of 1996, the Vaishno Devi case of 1997,and the Puttaswamy case of 2017.This exhaustive monograph should be read by all those interested inunderstanding how a distinctive secularism shaped modern India, and how thelatter shaped our secularism.

We human beings have a very big problem with reality. We struggle to know and to understand nature, but we can never know the beginning, cause, and what reality is all about. Our physical sciences cannot give us a complete picture and explanation of reality nor of all the forces, powers, and energies in nature and whether the universe as we know it is all that there is, or is a mere insignificant fragment of an unknowable infinite cosmos and order of things. Our physical sciences do not even know the origin and source of the power and energy that make us live, why our physical life is passing away, and what happens after our physical death. Physicist scientist Max Planck in fact said that, "Science cannot solve the ultimate mystery of nature, and that is because, in the last analysis, we are part of the mystery that we are trying to solve." Religions on the other hand, are trying to fill in the gaps and are offering explanations to what our physical sciences have failed to provide answers. The truth of the matter is that neither science alone nor religion alone can give us a complete understanding of reality. They actually supplement and complement each other in our search for the truth. Physicist scientist Albert Einstein made this matter very clear that, "Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind."This book is my struggle in the synchronization and synergy of religious beliefs and faith with the physical realities and actual discoveries of our physical sciences for their symphony and harmony in diversity in our quest to know the origin, power, and energy that created reality, of the irresistible inviolable laws governing it, and of mankind's existence and destiny in the way of the basic Law of Nature of Cause and Effect.VICK MAIZ BARCELON

This book examines the failure of Islamic politics in becoming a hegemonic force in Indonesia and the far-reaching consequences for current practices of democracy and of Islam itself. In contrast to the thesis of compatibility between Islam and democracy following the dominant discourse of the Global War on Terror (GWOT) and neoliberal democracy, this study situates Islamic politics in broader social settings by examining its nature and trajectories throughout Indonesiäs modern political history. The book thus investigates how the practices of Islamic politics, or Islamism, have shaped and been transformed through political contestations and the formation of coalitions of multiple forces in constructing Indonesiäs socio-political landscape.Using the concept of hegemony from poststructuralist discourse theory, the analytical framework applied in this book goes beyond liberal epistemologies of Islamism that prescribe the separation of religion from politics and treat Islamism as an object of intervention. Instead, the book is premised on the contention that Indonesia is a political construction, in which Islam has become one of the major discourses that have defined and transformed Indonesiäs nation-state throughout history. In this view, it is argued that the nature and dynamics of Islamism are not driven primarily by different interpretations of religious doctrines, cultural norms or by the imperative of institutions. Rather, the struggles of different Islamist projects in their quest for hegemony are contingent on the outcomes of socio-political changes and contestations that involve multiple political forces, both within and beyond the Islamists, in specific historical conjunctures.

This book focuses on the written heritage of Muslims in the Philippines, the historical constitution of chancelleries within the Islamic sultanates, and the production of official letters to conduct local and international diplomacy. The standard narrative on Muslims in the Philippines is one that centres political and armed struggles within the region. However, two important aspects remain unattended: the cultural and intellectual production of the sultanates, and the Moro involvement in Southeast Asian Islamic civilization. This book connects the development and personality of the Philippine sultanates into the regional context of local communities that adopted an international faith. Political alliances and religious missions altered different ethnolinguistic groups and furnished them with the Word, the Qur¿anic message, and the Arabic script. Indeed, customary orality and Adab shaped a way of being and acting modelled after what was called the Bichara. Particularly, the book studies the Moro Letter as cultural craft with political meaning, and Jawi heritage in the Philippines. A general catalogue of Jawi manuscripts from the National Archives of the Philippines is provided as appendix.

A powerful, next-generation manifesto declaring that the future prosperity of Western civilization is dependent upon the ongoing security and success of the Jewish State of Israel, and that the Jewish people's right to self-determination in their ancestral homeland demands a realist foreign policy emphasizing the U.S.-Israel alliance that will require military strength and a focus on Israeli self-defense for the country as well as its individual citizens. Israel is the West's man on the spot--the tip of the spear in the battle against Islamist terrorism and secularist nihilism alike. But the old-guard voices advocating for the full support of Israel as a nation-state and as an idea are being drowned out from all sides--theistic, secularist, right, left, and everything in between. To combat the uproars of multiculturalism, postmodern relativism, "tolerance," and Jew-hating social media, the time is now for voices from a new generation. We must address modern antisemitism and sound a call not just to accept, but to enthusiastically embrace the centrality of Judaism to the very character of Western civilization. In Israel and Civilization, acclaimed journalist, legal expert, and pundit Josh Hammer makes a righteous case that the key to the prosperity of the West is the flourishing of the Jewish people and the Jewish State of Israel. Hammer's uplifting offense is our best defense against the enemies of the Jewish people's right to self-determination in their ancestral homeland. And as Hammer makes clear, manifesting the promise of Israel requires action by the United States and its allies. There can be no overstating the impact of the trauma of October 7, 2023, on the Jewish people. Yet the anti-Israel reactions the world over have been equally devastating. Rallies of hundreds of thousands explicitly or implicitly promoting Hamas violence; demonstrations of Ivy League professors celebrating the pogrom as "awesome" and "exhilarating;" so-called human rights organizations that refuse to unequivocally condemn the use of rape as a weapon of war; and a hydra of multiculturalism, postmodern relativism, and "tolerance"--it all threatens the physical and metaphysical survival of the West and our essential Jewish heritage. Preserving the best of what's been thought and said throughout history and ensuring that there will be centuries more requires a West that is proud of its Jewish heritage. In other words, the continued existence of the Jewish people is inextricably tied to the endurance of Western civilization. Israel is the center of the battle, and Israel and Civilization explains why and how the Jewish state must win.

It was never the intention of the author for this novel to be perceived to be anything more than a fictitious representation of Scriptural prophecy in a modern-day setting. Since prophetical interpretations vary greatly, arguments could be made that the storyline incorporates inaccurate details regarding the Antichrist and end times. I will not debate this point. With that said, it was the intention of the author to present a theoretically feasible and plausible scenario that incorporates the technological capabilities of today's society. And, to demonstrate how those capabilities could be used to promote the interests of a person or group at the expense of humanity. That is why all the events were written with a critical eye toward whether they were realistically achievable within man's limited capabilities. Eric Dent, the oil consortium, Sheik Omani and Sylvan had similar, albeit not identical, goals, and all were willing to sacrifice humanity to achieve those goals within those constraints. When the Antichrist comes, he will have at minimum paranormal and possibly supernatural capabilities. The restrictions that were placed on the characters in this novel will not be placed on him. Prophecy is clear that he will be able to rally the world, en masse, around his person and his initiatives. It is your choice whether you are prepared.

Examines the relationship between Church and State, the character of radical thought in Enlightenment England, and the nature of that Enlightenment itself.

Sometimes generally referred to as "the nones," agnostics, atheists, humanists, freethinkers, secularists and skeptics compose one of the fastest growing faith categories in the United States. Because they are treated as "nones," some people face discrimination as nonbelievers, despite their varied and strong beliefs, values and morals. This basic guide, "100 Questions and Answers About the Religiously Unaffiliated," describes the differences, explains why discrimination and laws force some to hide their beliefs and why they would like to shed the label of "nones." Religious freedom and the First Amendment's establishment clause come up frequently.The key issue for many is whether the First Amendment's guarantee of religious freedom also guarantees the right to be free from religion.Legal issues include school prayer, the obligation to support tax-exempt religious properties and requirements that people profess belief in God to be allowed to vote or hold office.Life magazine called Madalyn Murray O'Hair, whose lawsuit ended mandatory prayer in public schools, "the most hated woman in America." The Secular Coalition for America's website directory withheld the name of its communications consultant because "unwarranted prejudices and discriminatory practices ... affect atheists and humanists. Consequently, s/he felt it was best to be incognito for now, since working for an organization that protects the rights of nontheists might result in lost opportunities with other clients."In this guide's forward, Dr. Phil Zuckerman writes, "Understanding secular people is important for many reasons. For one thing, secular movements, leaders, values and ideals play significant roles in the political landscapes of the world. From the first sentence of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, to Article 20 of Japan's Constitution, from France's laïcité to Vietnam's atheistic dictatorship, and from the founding of the Mexican Republic to India's current political struggles, in many countries secularism is a central pillar of both stability as well as conflict."Additionally, secular men and women are often unjustly stigmatized as immoral scoundrels or angry curmudgeons - negative stereotypes that don't actually accord with reality yet prove to be both persistent and pernicious. For instance, in some societies, such as Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Malaysia, hatred and fear of the secular is so strong that those who don't believe in God can be imprisoned, tortured or even executed. Here in the United States, many state constitutions - such as those of Tennessee, Texas and Mississippi - currently outlaw anyone who doesn't believe in God from holding any publicly elected office."Dr. Morgan Shipley's introduction says, "For the more than 85 million Americans who identify as nonreligious, we witness a turn to secularization as both an explanation for the lack of belief and a source for fulfilling the areas of life commonly associated with religion, such as morality, togetherness and agency. For the nonreligious, then, we find more than a rejection of God and faith. Instead, we uncover various ways humans highlight virtue, pursue a sense of belongingness, celebrate progress and rely on rational discourse to construct meaningful and morally driven lives." Questions include:Who are "the nones?"Who is under the umbrella of the nonreligious?What is an atheist?Who are agnostics?What is secularism? Who are humanists?Who are freethinkers?What is irreligion?Are Pagans and Wiccans nonreligious?What does it mean to be spiritual but not religious?What values do nonreligious people hold? How does one respectfully console a nonreligious person?Do nonreligious people pray?

This translation previously published in 2013 as Guidance for Christian engagement in government by Christian's Library Press, an imprint of the Acton Institute for the Study of Religion & Liberty.

This book focuses on Islam in Indonesia, showcasing the wide range of Muslim organisations, belief systems and movements, together with an analysis of the political behaviour of Indonesian Muslims. It includes an investigation of the structure of groups, organizations, and societies, and how Muslims within the archipelago interact within these contexts. In doing so, it promotes a more nuanced understanding of Indonesian Muslim society by approaching it through the utilisation of scholarly frameworks. Theories related to religion and society are used, especially in characterising the transition of the Indonesian Muslim society from pre-New Order to post-New Order. Particularly significant is Abdullah Saeed's framework in understanding one¿s attitude towards key and contemporary issues, originally used to understand one¿s attitude towards the religious ¿other¿. The authors thus adopt this framework in the book, as a method of categorising people in a diverse society which in turnhelps readers to understand the nuances of Islam and Muslims in a huge country like Indonesia.

"The award-winning journalist and staff writer for The Atlantic follows up his New York Times bestseller American Carnage with this timely, rigorously reported, and deeply personal examination of the divisions that threaten to destroy the American evangelical movement."--Publisher's description.

Israel is a "Jewish state." What is the meaning of this and how does it align with the democratic nature of the country? These are the questions at the core of a contentious debate that has been raging since the establishment of the state. This volume includes 75 essays on the question of Jewish -- Israeli identity, by some of today's best thinkers -- Jews and non-Jews, from Israel and around the world. Its pages include dreams and nightmares, poetic visions and rational analyses, harsh critiques and songs of praise.This collection is a first-of-its-kind nexus of thought on nationality, religion, politics, culture, society, environment, economics, and security. It is essential reading for any future discussion of Israeli identity.

Presents an iconoclastic account of morality and moral discourse from the perspective of Daoist philosophy.

Socrates once said that a good person does not worry much about the little things, like whether he lives or dies, but only about the one big thing: whether he is a good person or a bad one. In Ethics for Beginners, celebrated philosopher Peter Kreeft reclaims the importance of ethical study in answering life's big questions: What is the meaning of life? How should I live? How should I treat other people? Unlike many modern texts on the subject, this one asserts that ethics is real, that good and evil are knowable, and that we can learn to act well and so become better and happier people. Surveying the "big ideas" of the thirty-two most important ethical philosophers, Ethics for Beginners is an apprenticeship to the greatest minds in history. With expert analysis and reflection from Kreeft, it offers a challenging and unforgettable treatment that is suitable for classroom and individual use alike.

Science has been misused and kicked around by the university, postmodernists and atheists for a century or two. It is time for science to be allowed to tell its own story. The overall purpose of this book is to help people better understand what science really is and what it can and cannot do. It is about the road from opinion and conjecture to fact and truth. It is about the discovery, definition, history, and defense of science.

How can Christians believe in an all-powerful and loving God when there is so much suffering and evil in the world? Good God sets out to answer this question.

A transdisciplinary approach to reconciliation practices and policies by an international team of scholars and scholar-practitioners.