Religious Extremism

WATCH: How To Deal With Homophobic Religious Extremists

Jordan Bach | Posted 05.23.2012

Jordan Bach

These pastors choose to use their pulpit to spread pain, disharmony, and hate in the world. I choose to broadcast a message of peace, forgiveness, hope, and understanding -- with the intention of validating the millions of gay people who live, love, and learn around the world.

Cosmic War Comes To Toulouse

Mark Juergensmeyer | Posted 05.23.2012

Mark Juergensmeyer

The killing spree by Mohammed Merah in Toulouse, France is an eerie reminder of the War on Terror. It has come when we thought that religious terrorism was a thing of the past.

4 Myths That Led To The NYPD Attack On Muslim Civil Liberties

Daniel Tutt | Posted 04.25.2012

Daniel Tutt

The damage that these scandals have caused in severing the lines of trust between law enforcement and the Muslim community may be irreparable in the short term, but it is not too late for the NYPD to begin assessing the policies that led us here.

Turning Enemies Into Friends In Israel And The Palestinian Territories

Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch | Posted 03.26.2012

Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch

Religious moderates must build new bridges of coexistence or religious extremists will burn the last bridges of peace.

Religious Extremists in Israel and How the Mainstream Must Combat It

Rabbi Shmuley Boteach | Posted 03.04.2012

Rabbi Shmuley Boteach

If we Jews are enjoined to emulate our patriarch Jacob who wrestled with an angel, then surely we must also respectfully challenge our spiritual leaders and reclaim our human voice.

Egyptian Elections: Five Reasons to Stick With the Process

Neil Hicks | Posted 02.01.2012

Neil Hicks

Egypt's democratic transition faces two main threats: subversion by anti-democratic religious extremists; and obstruction by an authoritarian military junta loathe to yield power to civilian rule. Those who support continuing democratic progress in Egypt must oppose both.

The Growing Impossibility Of Interfaith Dialogue

Tony Campolo | Posted 12.14.2011

Tony Campolo

In today's world, the voices of moderation are becoming fewer and fewer, while extremist groups are growing in size and are flexing more and more political muscle.

Kazakh President Tightens Registration Rules for Religious Groups

AP | By PETER LEONARD | Posted 12.13.2011

ALMATY, Kazakhstan -- Kazakhstan's president on Thursday approved a bill tightening registration rules for religious groups that has been described by...

College Decides Not To Invite Controversial Church To Campus

The Miami Student | Posted 11.23.2011

The department of comparative religion has decided to pull plans to invite a member of the Westboro Baptist Church (WBC) to Miami University's campus....

Kevin Smith's 'Red State': Masterful, Spiritually Powerful

Cathleen Falsani | Posted 11.09.2011

Cathleen Falsani

Smith uses shock-and-awe violence in "Red State" to bring viewers into the fullness of his commentary on the nature of belief, religious fanaticism and insipid hatred masked as piety.

Does Religion Cause Terrorism? It's Complicated

Posted 10.31.2011

By David Gibson Religion News Service (RNS) The shock of the 9/11 attacks was so great, and the personal losses so deep, that many people understa...

Evaluating the Post-Secular Return to Belief

Feisal G. Mohamed | Posted 10.18.2011

Feisal G. Mohamed

ave wounds of deadly hate pierced humanity -- and humanities scholars -- so deep that we are no longer capable of blind hopes?

From Jihadism To Crusade-ism

Mustafa Akyol | Posted 10.11.2011

Mustafa Akyol

Since it became clear that the culprit of the horror in Norway was not a Muslim jihadist, but a self-proclaimed "Christian Knight," the popular perceptions of terrorism are being questioned.

Threats To America: Islamic Law Taking Over! Jews Controlling The Media!

Moriel Rothman | Posted 08.03.2011

Moriel Rothman

When the discussion of sharia law is based on the premise that Islam is inherently criminal, or that all Muslims have a proclivity towards violence, then that discussion shifts from legitimate intellectual debate to hateful religious scapegoating.

This Is Pakistan's Story: A Dialogue on Violence in Pakistan

Anushka Jatoi | Posted 09.26.2011

Anushka Jatoi

Violence and terrorism have taken over Pakistani society -- every member of society has been affected in some way or another. Be it through losing a l...

Voices Of Pakistan: Drifting In And Out Of Education

Sobia Ali | Posted 09.20.2011

Sobia Ali

Following my completion of reading Three Cups of Tea, I found it unfortunate that people would so vehemently attempt to derail such a brilliant project, while ignoring all of the noble progress which has been documented.

When Loyalty To Family Conflicts With Loyalty To God

Eric Felten | Posted 07.14.2011

Eric Felten

As attractive a moral strategy as it may be to always put God first, does loyalty to God really mean casting aside every other commitment we have?

Post-Bin Laden: 9/11 And The Conversation We Never Had

Frank Fredericks | Posted 07.09.2011

Frank Fredericks

Maybe this Sept. 11 can be what Eboo Patel has been calling "our Tahrir moment," enabling us to take the baggage from 9/11 and transcend it into wisdom for the American future.

Will Bin Laden's Death Make A Difference? Please Let It Make A Difference

Dr. David Liepert | Posted 07.03.2011

Dr. David Liepert

It's difficult to conceive of a worse Muslim curse or Islamic affliction than bin Laden. Seeking to drive a wedge between Muslims and non-Muslims in America, he ignited a firestorm.

The Dangers Of Religious Extremism

Dr. David Liepert | Posted 06.15.2011

Dr. David Liepert

Regardless of what religion we follow, we've all got our Osama bin Ladens, our Donald Rumsfelds and our Dov Liors. In the wrong hands, no religion is a religion of peace.

Suicide Bombers Kill 30 At Pakistani Shrine

AP | By KHALID TANVEER | Posted 06.03.2011

MULTAN, Pakistan -- A pair of suicide bombers struck a shrine in Pakistan Sunday, killing 30 people gathered there and pressing a campaign of attacks ...

Recanting In The Face Of Religious Extremism

Michael Zimmerman, Ph.D. | Posted 05.25.2011

Michael Zimmerman, Ph.D.

Unfortunately, when it comes to the evolution/creation debate, Christian fundamentalists are not alone in issuing threats and demanding adherence to religious dogma from their academics.

In Defense Of Religious Moderates

Rabbi Alan Lurie | Posted 05.25.2011

Rabbi Alan Lurie

The core teachings of all great religions is the middle path, drawing us to humility and telling us that what matters most is not how well we follow any specific doctrine or scripture but how we treat each other.

Time to Rethink Using the Term "Extremism"

Chip Berlet | Posted 05.25.2011

Chip Berlet

Every time liberals and leftists use the term "extremist" it undermines the movement for progressive social change.

Media Images Of Religious Americans: Elitist, Condescending And Wrong

Rabbi Eric H. Yoffie | Posted 05.25.2011

Rabbi Eric H. Yoffie

Americans believe in God, send their children to Sunday school, and seek out the holy far more than others in the developed world. More Americans will attend a house of worship this week than will attend football games this season.