To the Point
Religion in the 'Modern' World
Secularism is a defining characteristic of the "Modern: world. So why is there such an increase in religious belief? In 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 recalls Christmas in Afghanistan. On Reporter's Notebook, is there a gene for religion? This archived edition of To the Point was pre-empted by special holiday programming.
By Warren Olney • • 50m ListenSecularism 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.
In this episode
3 storiesChristmas 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.
Read the story8 minReligion 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.
Read the story34 minThe 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.
Read the story9 min
