Home / Sections / Sociology of Religion

Sociology of Religion

Religion is arguably the most difficult topic for scientists to study. Many scientists are not interested in the topic, and won’t even talk about it. Others dismiss it as irrational epiphenomena of primitive ideation. Those who are interested in it often get themselves into all manner of epistemological, ontological, and rhetorical contortions. Despite the difficulties, religion, spirituality, and mysticism are my areas of expertise and in this section I’ll explore the area. I’ll start by posting the first two units of my Athabasca University course here. I’ll then post an introductory article entitled The Sociology of Religion – An Introduction (based on my forthcoming book, The Sociology of Religion: A Mystical and Scientific Approach), and we’ll move on from there. You can direct comments and questions directly to [email protected] , or [email protected]

ISIS behead American journalist

ISIS brand

  The beheading of American freelance photojournalist James Foley by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) has shocked the world. He was taken prisoner in northwest Syria in November 2012 while on assignment for the Global Post. ISIS ...

Read More »

Terrorist groups and European fighters in Iraq

  At present there is no independent Kurdish state but the ‘land of the Kurds’ crisscrosses Syria, Turkey, Iraq and Iran. However, the Iraqi Kurds have been able to gain autonomy from Baghdad. Kurdish aspirations for an independent state stem ...

Read More »

Obama, human rights and ISIS

Western leaders have suddenly woken up and realised that ISIS is a regional global security threat. This realisation has also forced policy makers and security experts to abandon their orientalist monocles. The desire to act ‘now’ by launching airstrikes on ISIS targets ...

Read More »

The Ideology of Darwin

darwin

Humanity used to believe in God, but now they believe in Darwin. This is a bit of an extreme statement, since most people still believe in God, but the sentiment is accurate. Darwin's theories of the MECHANISMS of evolution has had a major impact on the social, emotional, and even spiritual fabric of this planet. There is a problem though. In a lot of ways Darwin's theories seem more like canon, or ideology, than good science. This article explores early awareness of the ideological nature of Darwinian theory, and provides some suggestions on how scientists can break free of dogma that has more to do with religion than with good science.

Read More »

Fortnight Fiasco: Government Grants Freedom, Not God

Catholics Against Contraception

On July 4, 2012, the US Conference of Catholic Bishops concluded their Fortnight for Freedom, a pulpit political initiative that is intended to challenge certain aspects of President Obama’s Affordable Healthcare Act (AHA). The Bishops are cheezed off because, under ...

Read More »