ROBERT ASKS: Can we read Christ into the Old Testament? THE RELIGION GUY ANSWERS: According to Jewish tradition, no, and understandably so. According to Christian tradition, yes, since the New Testament interprets various passages in the Hebrew Bible (= Old Testament)  as prophecies that foreshadow the future life and message of Jesus. Christians commonly view other Old Testament texts this same way, following Jesus’ own example: “Beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them in all the... Read more

  THE RELIGION GUY INTERRUPTS  this blog’s usual answers to posted questions and feels impelled to highlight a development that ought to receive far more attention than it has. Addressing the United Nations General Assembly September 24, President Obama said “it is time for the world — especially Muslim communities — to explicitly, forcefully, and consistently reject the ideology of organizations like al-Qaeda and ISIL” (the group also called ISIS or “Islamic State”). As if in response, that same day 126... Read more

THE RELIGION GUY EXPLAINS: This is the 100th “Religion Q and A” posting. So instead of answering the usual weekly question The Guy pauses to scan what sort of religious stuff provoked interest since December, 2012. That’s when this blog began posting non-sectarian answers to anonymously posted questions on “any old thing about any and all faith options,” after a strategic boost from Terry Mattingly of the estimable www.getreligion.org. The Guy, as a journalist, naturally wants current topics in the mix, and... Read more

MICHAEL-ANN ASKS: Businesses like Hobby Lobby and Chick-fil-A overtly follow Christian principles and thus promote Christianity. Is it profitable for them to have this ‘brand,’ or do you think the CEOs have some deeper evangelical goal? THE RELIGION GUY ANSWERS: These two remarkable corporations are the largest in the U.S. that operate on an explicitly “Christian” basis, and both have been in the news lately. The Hobby Lobby craft store chain won U.S. Supreme Court approval June 30 of the religious... Read more

TOMMY ASKS: Does someone go to Hell if they take their own life? THE RELIGION GUY ANSWERS: This question was posted shortly before the shocking suicide of superstar comedian and actor Robin Williams during an apparent bout with depression. Following that tragedy, conservative Christian blogger and Williams fan Austin Thompson posted an item of  questionable taste, declaring “with great sadness” that “maybe Robin Williams is in Hell.” The Guy usually sidesteps his personal opinions, but here would advise Christians never to speculate... Read more

LISA ASKS: What exactly is the definition of “new age” thinking? THE RELIGION GUY ANSWERS: This loosely diffuse movement, largely located in America,  is so indeterminate that it’s tempting to simply say “new age” covers any recently formed “spiritual” or “psychic” or “mindful” or “self-discovery” groups that don’t fit snugly into other religious categories. As part of this, new agers don’t fall within the formal organizational life of Buddhism or Hinduism but often appropriate various ideas and practices from Eastern... Read more

LISA ASKS: When a Catholic marries a Jew, does the Catholic Church recognize that marriage as a sacrament, since Catholicism has roots in Judaism? THE RELIGION GUY ANSWERS: No. In the church’s view a marriage between a Catholic and an adherent of Judaism (or any other non-Christian religion) is not a sacrament. This doesn’t mean the church doubts the couple is truly married, nor does it signify any disrespect toward Judaism with which — yes — Christianity has great affinity.... Read more

ROB ASKS: The Song of Solomon gets a lot of ‘bad press.’ Are there spiritual lessons to be found in this book? THE RELIGION GUY ANSWERS: The Song of Solomon or Song of Songs has probably roused more confusion than any other book in the Hebrew Bible, similar to the New Testament’s complex Book of Revelation. Roland K. Harrison of the University of Toronto says the Song provides “almost unlimited ground for speculation.” The Bible’s usual piety, preachments, and prayers are... Read more

GAGE ASKS: Is killing as a protection of the United States, like going into the Army, a sin? THE RELIGION GUY ANSWERS: Adequate treatment of this classic issue would require thousands of words. But start with some venerable quotations: “Do not kill or injure living creatures” (typical wording from Buddhism’s Five Precepts). “You shall not kill” (from the Bible’s Ten Commandments). “Do not kill the living soul which Allah has forbidden you to kill, except for a just cause” (Islam’s... Read more

ROD ASKS: Was Marx right? Is religion the opiate of the masses? THE RELIGION GUY ANSWERS: This blog’s third item about atheism and atheists in seven weeks!  Rod cites the famous quote about religion from a 26-year-old Karl Marx in 1844, four years before he co-authored the momentous “Communist Manifesto.” Here’s the full context in his typically prolix prose, from the introduction to “A Contribution to the Critique of Hegel’s Philosophy of Right”: “The struggle against religion is, therefore, indirectly... Read more