Steveawiggins
MY BLOGS
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Sects and Violence in the Ancient World
http://sawiggins.wordpress.com/
A blog that tries to find intelligent things to say about religion and related subjects.
LATEST ARTICLES ( 4117 )
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Rock Hard Cafe
At first glance it may not appear to be much. A small chunk of rock, probably limestone. Hardly large enough to be used in a sling against a giant in a pinch.... Read more
Posted on 05 December 2012 POLITICS, RELIGION, SOCIETY -
Old Lies
Much of my exposure to literature has come through my daughter. I didn’t really grow up in a literary family. We had a prominent television and not much money... Read more
Posted on 04 December 2012 BOOKS, CULTURE, POLITICS, RELIGION, SOCIETY -
Seeking Sava Savanovic
According to the Associated Press, Sava Savanovic seems to have risen from the grave again. In the world of professional vampirologists, I am a mere hack, but... Read more
Posted on 03 December 2012 POLITICS, RELIGION, SOCIETY -
The Last December
December 2012—it is supposedly the last month in the world. Yesterday did dawn with the date being 1212012, but since the local tree farm opened its gates... Read more
Posted on 02 December 2012 POLITICS, RELIGION, SOCIETY -
Saving Sin
Although it makes little sense, I have always tended toward a monastic outlook. When I see something I want my first impulse is not to get it. I will sometimes... Read more
Posted on 01 December 2012 POLITICS, RELIGION, SOCIETY -
Bible-Landia
It takes a mighty powerful stimulus to get the media to pay attention to biblical scholars. It is no surprise, therefore, when the Society of Biblical Literatur... Read more
Posted on 30 November 2012 POLITICS, RELIGION, SOCIETY -
Creature Feature
Gregory L. Reece’s Creatures of the Night is a strangely profound book. I picked it up to read on the plane home from Chicago and I wasn’t disappointed. Read more
Posted on 29 November 2012 POLITICS, RELIGION, SOCIETY -
Theology of the Apes
“Alter what you believe to be the course of the future by slaughtering two innocents, or rather three now that one of them is pregnant? Herod tried that and... Read more
Posted on 28 November 2012 POLITICS, RELIGION, SOCIETY -
Ruby Tuesday
If you’re reading this, you survived Cyber Monday. Not that I personally remember the Middle Ages—I have no desire to return to them—but there was a time when... Read more
Posted on 27 November 2012 POLITICS, RELIGION, SOCIETY -
Au Fait in the Manger?
On Friday CNN ran a story about the Pope’s new book “debunking” myths surrounding Christmas. The headline certainly looked intriguing, but it turns out that... Read more
Posted on 26 November 2012 POLITICS, RELIGION, SOCIETY -
Phantom Prayers
Religion and theater have much in common. I suspect that this is one reason several religious traditions initially protested against the secular theater. Read more
Posted on 25 November 2012 POLITICS, RELIGION, SOCIETY -
Prayers in Space
Science with heart. That’s one way to characterize Mary Roach’s writing. Uninhibited is another. I began reading her books when I saw Spook on the science... Read more
Posted on 24 November 2012 BOOKS, RELIGION, SCIENCE -
Hallowed Be Thy Kane
Watching the alien burst from Kane’s distended abdomen as he appeared to have eaten too much seemed somehow appropriate on Thanksgiving. Read more
Posted on 23 November 2012 ENVIRONMENT -
Holy Gobblers
I wonder if this is how religions get started. Yesterday President Obama continued the lighthearted tradition of pardoning two turkeys prior to Thanksgiving. Read more
Posted on 22 November 2012 POLITICS, RELIGION, SOCIETY -
Gonad Make Disciples
The funny thing about authority is that when it counts those who have it are often afraid to use it. So yesterday the “mother church” (if that honorific still... Read more
Posted on 21 November 2012 HISTORY, POLITICS, RELIGION, SOCIETY, SPIRITUALITY -
Under the Influence
A news story over the weekend—when oddball stories of religion are welcomed by the media—revealed that a judge in Muskogee County, Oklahoma sentenced a youth... Read more
Posted on 20 November 2012 RELIGION, SOCIETY -
After the Gold Rush
The morning I flew to Chicago for the American Academy of Religion and Society of Biblical Literature annual meeting, the headlines in the morning paper were... Read more
Posted on 19 November 2012 POLITICS, RELIGION, SOCIETY -
Dreaming of a Black Xmas
By my best reckoning, Thanksgiving has not yet taken place this year. Since Halloween, such as it was, is now over, we must still be in November. Read more
Posted on 18 November 2012 POLITICS, RELIGION, SOCIETY -
AAR/SBL Chicago
On just about any playground you’ll spot the kid who’s watching from the side, instead of playing with the others. That’s me. I don’t suspect that anyone... Read more
Posted on 17 November 2012 POLITICS, RELIGION, SOCIETY -
Night of the Johnstown Flood
Floods always have a whiff of old Noah about them. I first heard of the Johnstown flood from a minister who has had a profound impact on my life. Read more
Posted on 16 November 2012 RELIGION, SOCIETY