Religion in the 'Modern' World
Host:
Produced by:
Subscribe to this Podcast:
Listen to/Watch entire show:
Secularism is a defining characteristic of the "Modern: world. So why is there such an increase in religious belief? On this archived segment of To the Point and with two major religions celebrating holidays, we look at faith in America and other parts of the world. Also, a former Marine remembers celebrating Christmas in Afghanistan, and how religion evolved, beginning thousands of years ago with instincts shared with non-human primates.
This archived edition of To the Point was pre-empted by special holiday programming.
Making News
Christmas in Afghanistan ()
It's Christmas in Afghanistan for the 1st Battalion 6th Marines. As the first troops in President Obama's Afghanistan surge, they left home in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina a little over a week ago. Victor Manzano spent a lot of holidays in both Afghanistan and Iraq. He's now home in Los Angeles.
Guests:
- Victor Manzano: former Infantryman, US Marine Corps
Main Topic
Religion in the 'Modern' World ()
Ever since the Enlightenment, deep thinkers have claimed that modernity would drive out religion, probably by the end of the 20th Century. In April, a Newsweek magazine cover announced "The Decline and Fall of Christian America," while God Is Back, published that same week, is subtitled How the Global Revival of Faith Is Changing the World. The contrast illustrates the worldwide tension between secularism in modern political life and the growing prevalence of religious belief. Free-market thinking has some people shopping between denominations. Some traditionalists threatened by the secular world go to extremes. This evergreen program, originally aired in April, is especially interesting on Christmas Day. Do religions compete for believers? Which one is likely to win? Why is Osama bin Laden's al Qaeda such a "Modern" phenomenon?
Guests:
- Adrian Wooldridge: co-author, 'God Is Back'
- Luis Lugo: Director, Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life
- Akbar Ahmed: Chair of Islamic Studies, American University
- Mark Juergensmeyer: Director, UCSB's Orfalea Center for Global and International Studies
Links:
Reporter's Notebook
The Faith Instinct ()
Religion and science are often at odds, especially when it comes to evolution. A new book argues that religion itself evolved, having gotten its start at least 50,000 years ago in response to two main threats, one from inside the other from outside early human societies. That's according to The Faith Instinct by New York Times science writer Nicholas Wade.
Guests:
- Nicholas Wade: author, 'The Faith Instinct'
Engage & Discuss
Further the conversation with your thoughts and comments. Agree, disagree, present a different perspective -- engage.
For information and guidelines click: Terms of Service | Privacy Policy
Please note, comments are moderated. KCRW reserves the right to edit and or remove posts deemed off-topic, abusive or not in accordance with KCRW's Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
BROUGHT TO YOU BY
