Targuman » Religion

Science & Religion in Dialogue

Chris Brady — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 12:56:37 +0000

There is some promise. See the story in today’s Inside Higher Ed.

Scientists Get Religion
June 17, 2010
WASHINGTON – Jennifer Wiseman is an astrophysicist and a Christian. Both of those elements will come into play in her new role with the American Association for the Advancement of Science, where she aims to civilize the sometimes-divisive discourse between the broader scientific and religious communities.

It is encouraging to see that such dialogue is continuing to be embraced in the realm of science. However, the very first comment on this story makes it clear that it will not be an easy conversation.

But at the end of the day there will always be a gap between religion and science that cannot be bridged. Scientists cannot accept superstitious beliefs that flout physical laws.Assertions about e.g., winged horses, virgin births, burning bushes, miracles, prophecies,and the like fly in the face of all that the human race has learned about the world and the way it works.

Non-overlapping magisteria

Chris Brady — Fri, 28 May 2010 17:55:43 +0000

It is a reference to Stephen Jay Gould’s excellent article (which you should read if you haven’t, for no other reason than that Dawkins hates it) but it was this cartoon¹ that brought it to mind. That and I happened to have a meeting this morning on a lecture series that is supposed to be concerning Science and Religion. (The lectures have ended upon being about how science can explain religion and religious “things” like morals. Their suggest, not mine.)

Warning! This comic is considered offensive by many. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

Greatest childhood religious fear

Chris Brady — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 22:07:03 +0000

Arlo and Janis by Jimmy Johnson

I remember learning about the saints and the various grisly means of their demise, including modern saints who died for their faith, and praying that God would give me that kind of strength because I was sure I would never be able to endure such trials.

What was your greatest fear, inspired by religion, your parents, or even sermons?

A JW Vampire?

Chris Brady — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 18:14:39 +0000

This cartoon is an image from an ad for a comic (in fact, one that I don’t really read). I have seen the ad numerous times and always thought it was amusing. Which do you think would be harder?

For those who cannot see the image the dialogue is simply:

“It must be hard to be Catholic and gay.”

“It’s easier than being a Jehovah’s Witness and a vampire.”

Atheology

Chris Brady — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 20:21:15 +0000

Such a thing does exist, as many of you know, but the discussion in my previous post makes me wonder about those who claim to do theology without affirming the faith of the tradition that they study. Why bother?

Please don’t get me wrong, I firmly believe that one can, as I do, be a scholar of religions whether or not one is an adherent to any faith or that particular faith. I am not suggesting, for example, that Alan Lenzi cannot “approach the Bible and religion as products of human culture that can be fully interpreted and explained without recourse to theological assertions.” Of course he can. I myself spend most of my research time on rabbinic literature but I am not Jewish. In fact, much of my work has focused upon considering the theology of the targumim. In so doing I am studying someone else’s theology, but I am not “doing” theology myself.

But I know of those who consider themselves theologians but who do not accept the basic tenets of the given faith that they are ostensibly working within. I just don’t get it. That would be religious studies, wouldn’t it?

(“I no you di’ int!” Oh, yes I did!)

Frazz by Jef Mallett

A cartoonist’s view on atheism

Chris Brady — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 02:28:01 +0000

I am sure you all are familiar with the comic artist Dan Piraro. At his blog he regularly posts one of his strips with commentary. Today’s entry along with this week’s discussion of Philip Davies’ essay was worthing of sharing. (NB: The links in the text are Piraro’s.)

Bizarro is brought to you today by Invisible Superheroes.

Let’s talk for a moment about how scary the word“atheist” has become in current-day America. Many people equate the designation “atheist” with epithets like “nazi,” “pedophile,” “criminal,” and “insurance company CEO.” As the funky DJ might say, “Let’s break it down, now.”

Theist: one who believes in god(s).
Polytheist: one who believes in more than one god.
Monotheist: one who believes in only one god.
Atheist: one who does not believe god(s) exist.
Polyunsaturatedtheist: one who believes that god speaks to us through nutrition labels.

Read it all at BizarroBlog.

“You may say that I’m a dreamer”

Chris Brady — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 02:26:08 +0000

Imagine… or “Why can’t we all just get along?”

I think I will use this line in our next faculty senate committee meeting.

Defining religion (or economics)

Chris Brady — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 03:55:04 +0000

The late Johnny Hart, creator of BC, was known for his outspoken Christian beliefs and incorporating them into his comic. His Easter strips were notorious and his theology (as stated by himself) was fuzzy at best. Since his passing last spring the strip has been taken over by his grandson Mason Mastroianni and rather than simply maintaining the strip and its characters and avoiding religious and political topics that once marked Hart’s strip, he has addressed them, but from a perspective far different from Hart’s own. While I never felt that BC was the funniest of most insightful strip around, and I do think that old strips ought to be put to rest with their creators, others are pleased to see BC move from references to Jesus to jokes about pot induced munchies. I find Sunday’s strip lacking in many ways, but at the same time, he has a point…

Speaking about religion without offending

Chris Brady — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 13:17:21 +0000

Sent along by a Penn State colleague. How apropos of our SBL weekend. From Dr. Boli, the inventor of the letter M.

Because this is what ministry is all about, right?

Chris Brady — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 19:20:15 +0000

Churches Vie to Attract The Newest First Family

Washington Post Staff Writers
Saturday, November 22, 2008; Page B01

There have been letters, discreet inquiries and bold appeals. Some are using their connections; others are just seeking a foot in the door.

It’s part of the spirited competition among Washington churches to land the most sought-after Christians in town: the Obama family.