Quran Burning in Sweden Prompts Debate on the Fine Line Between Freedom of Expression and Incitement of Hatred

August 30, 2023 By The Conversation

Iraqis raise copies of the Quran during a protest in Baghdad, Iraq, on July 22, 2023, following reports of the burning of the holy book in Copenhagen. AP Photo/Hadi Mizban By Armin Langer of University of Florida The Swedish government is concerned about national security following several incidents involving the burning of the Quran that have provoked demonstrations and outrage from Muslim-majority countries. The spate of Quran-burning incidents followed an act of desecration by far-right activist Rasmus Paludan on Jan.... Read more

What the pope’s visit to Mongolia says about his priorities and how he is changing the Catholic Church

August 23, 2023 By The Conversation

Pope Francis’ upcoming visit to meet the tiny Catholic community of Mongolia is drawing considerable interest. Filippo Monteforte/AFP via Getty Images By Kristy Nabhan-Warren of University of Iowa Pope Francis’ upcoming visit to Mongolia, which is home to fewer than 1,500 Catholics, has elicited curiosity among Catholics and non-Catholics alike. This will be the pope’s 43rd trip abroad since his election on March 13, 2013: He has visited 12 countries in the Americas, 11 in Asia and 10 in Africa.... Read more

Images of Jesus have always been complex and contradictory − this class looks at how pop culture imagines him, from cartoons to musicals

August 19, 2023 By The Conversation

Actor Dave Willetts as Jesus in a production of “Jesus Christ Superstar” in Zurich in 1992. Philippe Rossier/RDB/ullstein bild via Getty Images By Jeannie Sellick of Bowdoin College Uncommon Courses is an occasional series from The Conversation U.S. highlighting unconventional approaches to teaching. Title of course: “Jesus in the Modern Imagination” What prompted the idea for the course? My only real exposure to religion while growing up was “Jesus Christ Superstar” – the 1973 film version of the much-debated Broadway... Read more

Islam’s call to prayer is ringing out in more US cities – affirming a long and growing presence of Muslims in America

August 17, 2023 By The Conversation

Minneapolis allows call to prayer to be publicly broadcast five times per day. Kerem Yucel/AFP via Getty Images By Leila Tarakji of Michigan State University Minneapolis recently became the first major U.S. city to allow the “adhan,” or Muslim call to prayer, to be broadcast from mosques five times a day. In April 2023, the Minneapolis City Council unanimously approved a change to the city’s sound ordinance, effectively eliminating time constraints that previously prevented the pre-dawn and evening prayer calls... Read more

Tourists search for Mount Sinai in Saudi Arabia – but does a geographical location for pivotal Bible event even exist?

August 7, 2023 By The Conversation

A scholar of the Hebrew Bible argues that very little is known about the location of Mount Sinai, and it is likely that it was once part of a foundational legend. Read more

A chatbot willing to take on questions of all kinds – from the serious to the comical – is the latest representation of Jesus for the AI age

August 2, 2023 By The Conversation

As a chatbot, dressed in a hooded brown-and-white robe, Jesus is available 24/7 to answer any and all questions on his Twitch channel, 'ask_jesus.' Read more

Just about anybody in America can officiate a wedding, thanks to the internet – and one determined preacher

July 31, 2023 By The Conversation

Who did the honors: clergy, a justice of the peace or just a friend? More and more weddings are performed by someone ordained online. Klaus Vedfelt/DigitalVision via Getty Images By Dusty Hoesly, of University of California, Santa Barbara Wedding season is here again, and my calendar is filling up – not just as a guest. Over the past 15 years, I have officiated over 20 weddings for friends and family, plus nearly 200 more as a part-time professional wedding officiant.... Read more

On New Year’s Day, Buddhist god Hotei brings gifts and good fortune in Japan

January 4, 2023 By The Conversation

The Seven Lucky Gods usher in good fortune in the new year in Japan. Among them, Hotei plays the most prominent role, for he is considered not just a lucky god, but also a buddha. Read more