How the Story of Christmas Saved Islam

Kamran Pasha, 12.25.2009

Hollywood filmmaker, author of "Mother of the Believers"

I would like to share a Christmas story that many people today do not know. The true story of how the tale of Jesus and Mary saved the nascent religion of Islam from annihilation.

An American Christmas Playlist

Richard (RJ) Eskow, 12.25.2009

Consultant, Writer, Health Analyst

American music gives us more than enough to provide a great list of songs to play this Christmas. I dug up twelve songs from a variety of styles to inspire you on the holiday.

Have a Very Merry [redacted]

Leah Anthony Libresco, 12.25.2009

Junior at Yale University, double majoring in Political Science and Mathematics

According to Eamon Javers at Politico, Barack Obama has explicitly referenced Jesus Christ more frequently as president than George W. Bush ever did. ...

EBay Listen Up: Who Do You Stand With: The Victims of Genocide or Those Who Celebrate Its Perpetrators?

Rabbi Abraham Cooper, 12.24.2009

Associate dean of the Simon Wiesenthal Center and its Museum of Tolerance

Without a doubt, eBay occupies prime virtual real estate in our digital malls. Out in the real world, malls do not allow the KKK and neo-Nazis to rent space and pedal hate.

Isn't There Anyone Who Knows What the Christmas Legal Holiday is All About?

Jim Thomas, 12.24.2009

Lawyer for business/Steward for Colorado

I started blogging about our country's "legal" holidays out of concern that, for many, these days were just another day off. Well, it turns out that the Christmas federal holiday is actually just that, legally at least.

What I Want For Christmas: Mass Clemency

Jacob M. Appel, 12.24.2009

Bioethicist and medical historian

A mass, collective pardon of nonviolent offenders would reunite hundreds of thousands of families, save billions of dollars in incarceration costs, and might foster a national spirit of forgiveness and reconciliation.

Whoever Jesus Was, He Wasn't A Petty Partisan

Todd Wilkinson, 12.24.2009

Environmental journalist

It's a strange time to call oneself a Christian. What does it mean? Who establishes the definition? And upon what -- or whose -- divine authority do the arbiters judge the veracity of believers?

Breathing in the Buddha

Peter Clothier, 12.23.2009

Author and Blogger, The Buddha Diaries

Documentary photographer Alan Brigish's Breathing in the Buddha is "a photographic exploration of Buddhist life in Indochina." The photographs are absolutely gorgeous.

How Should we View the Christmas Holiday?

Byron Williams, 12.23.2009

Syndicated Columnist, Author, Pastor of the Resurrection Community Church Oakland, CA

Is Christmas a pagan ritual? Is it a vital cog in our economic system? Or is it a religious holiday? "All the above" is probably the best answer.

Sweaty Sex and Alan Watts

Sebastian Siegel, 12.23.2009

Actor, poet, lover of life

I think I'll continue to pay attention to those voracious lovers and darers of life, the risk takers, and the committed like Alan Watts.

Cultivating Compassion: Meditation For Better Relationships

Chade-Meng Tan, 12.22.2009

There are two components to spiritual practice, Wisdom and Compassion, and associating with people helps us grow Compassion. You probably cannot live a holy life without associating with people.

The Meaning of Avatar: Everything is God (A Response to Ross Douthat and other naysayers of 'pantheism')

Jay Michaelson, 12.22.2009

Columnist, activist and author of "Everything is God: The Radical Path of Nondual Judaism"

"If you're an author or Ph.D. candidate who had the foresight to propose a book on the philosophy of "Avatar" before the film was even released in the...

Astoria Characters: The Serious Smiler

Nancy Ruhling, 12.22.2009

Author of "Astoria Characters"

It doesn't matter where he goes -- the corner deli, the N train, the organic market -- Todd Killian stands out in the crowd. Todd smiles a toothy grin and stops to talk to strangers.

The Big Question

Lama Surya Das, 12.22.2009

Lama Surya Das, one of the foremost American Lamas in the Buddhist tradition, has been an integral p ...

Should humanity have been created? Several centuries after Jesus' time, rabbis from the two rival schools of philosophy, Hillel and Shammai, met together to discuss this critical issue.

The Right's Bogus War on Christmas

Irene Monroe, 12.22.2009

Native of Brooklyn, graduate of Wellesley College and Union Theological Seminary at Columbia

What's in a greeting? With Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Winter Solstice and Christmas all going on this time of year, one would think that an all-inclusive se...

Montazeri's Limited Tolerance of Non-Muslims

Jamsheed K. Choksy, 12.21.2009

Professor of Iranian studies at Indiana University

Grand Ayatollah Hossein Ali Montazeri's opinion was characterized by one Iranian Christian clergyman as "rubbing salt into our wounds."

The Magic Of Winter Solstice: Celebrating A Different Holiday

Kiri Westby, 12.21.2009

Change-Maker/Rule-Breaker/Story-Teller

Though our extended family would send Christmas gifts and I knew about Santa and his reindeer, the real magic for me came during the Winter Solstice.

The Ghost of Free Market Past

James Campion, 12.21.2009

Political Analyst for 'The Aquarian Weekly'

If Jesus and Ayn Rand had ever spent any time together in a locked room, neither would be able decide which of them was God.

Be The Change

Robyn O'Brien, 12.21.2009

Author of The Unhealthy Truth

Do we take without giving And consume what we must, Ever heeding the motto: "In consumption we trust"?

No BS Theory of Life: Pain And Holiday Blues Are Money In The Bank

Robert Lanza, M.D., 12.21.2009

Scientist; author, "Biocentrism"

The goal of life is life. Every impulse and thought is a device developed toward that end. Even poetry and art reflect our humanity and are impelled by instincts -- fear and powerlessness, association and love.

Garrison Keillor, Uncensored for Christmas

Jackson Williams, 12.22.2009

Austin-based writer

Some in the rightwing blogosphere, who can't stand Garrison Keillor for his liberal politics, are taking shots at him for his recent pro-Christmas pie...