By Bruce B. Miller Have you ever heard the standard advice not to discuss religion or politics at the dinner table? Conversations around both subjects can be tense, awkward and downright confrontational. This is especially true when someone tells you that their way of thinking is the only right way—particularly if you don’t agree with their beliefs! This kind of interaction can be annoying, frustrating and offensive. In part, this is why we tend to put a premium on tolerance,... Read more

Today there are more options for spiritual enlightenment than ever before. One that I continue to hear about is Progressive Christianity. In my efforts to better understand this movement, I’ve discovered a major flaw — I can’t find a clear definition of it. Without a doctrinal statement, it’s difficult to understand how one can choose to be a Progressive Christian. While claiming the title “Christian,” Progressive Christianity represents a broad range of views, from those who claim to believe in... Read more

The Holy Land (Al-Ard-al-Muqaddasah) is an area roughly located between the Mediterranean Sea and the Eastern Bank of the Jordan River. It is synonymously linked with Palestine and the biblical land of Israel. It roughly corresponds to the modern state of Israel, the Palestinian territories, western Jordan, parts of southern Lebanon and South-western Syria. Another term that is commonly used to refer to the region is the Levant, a French word meaning “to rise” as in the “sun rising” from... Read more