Steveawiggins

LATEST ARTICLES ( 4522 )

• Oxford’s Hire

  

  In 1478 the first book printed in Oxford heralded the eventual founding of Oxford University Press. Just two years earlier Vlad III, the Impaler, had been... Read more

  Posted on 18 November 2013 POLITICS, RELIGION, SOCIETY

• I See Only Nothing

  

  Once considered to be bad omens, comets are becoming a fad for those who can take their eyes off the screen for a few moments to look at the sky. Read more

  Posted on 17 November 2013 POLITICS, RELIGION, SOCIETY

• History Bites

  

  After reading a post I’d written about Dracula last year, a friend recommended that I look at Elizabeth Kostova’s The Historian. Read more

  Posted on 16 November 2013 POLITICS, RELIGION, SOCIETY

• The Problem with Apocalypses

  

  Over on The Daily Beast, Joe McLean points out “How the Tea Party’s Apocalyptic Politics Are Destroying the Republican Party.” I say good riddance. Let me... Read more

  Posted on 15 November 2013 POLITICS, RELIGION, SOCIETY

• Honorable Theft

  

  Young adult literature can be amazingly profound. My curiosity about Markus Zusak’s The Book Thief bubbled to the surface after the movie was released last... Read more

  Posted on 14 November 2013 POLITICS, RELIGION, SOCIETY

• Beliefism

  

  A question never adequately resolved revolves around the status of atheism. What exactly is it? Well, I suppose it is many things, actually. Read more

  Posted on 13 November 2013 POLITICS, RELIGION, SOCIETY

• Atomic Girls

  

  Ray Bradbury. Ray Harryhausen. Radioactive dinosaur loose in Manhattan. What’s not to like? I was inspired to watch The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms again for a... Read more

  Posted on 12 November 2013 POLITICS, RELIGION, SOCIETY

• Ancient History

  

  Every great once in a while somebody in the popular media seems to remember suddenly that the ancient world existed. I suppose that it is the fate of... Read more

  Posted on 11 November 2013 POLITICS, RELIGION, SOCIETY

• Alien Bears

  

  “And if there’s life on other planets, I’m sure that he must know, and has been there once already, and died to save their souls. Read more

  Posted on 10 November 2013 POLITICS, RELIGION, SOCIETY

• A Theistic Nation

  

  That’s a dill-pickillial of a peccadillo, if you’ll pardon my Ned Flanderism. I’m referring to the issue of the Supreme Court dealing with public prayer. Again. Read more

  Posted on 09 November 2013 POLITICS, RELIGION, SOCIETY

• Vampires Versus Science

  

  In keeping with my current explorations of vampire religiosity, I watched Blade for the first time. I’m aware that the figure of Blade is based on a comic book... Read more

  Posted on 08 November 2013 SCIENCE

• Heilige Geist

  

  Poltergeist is one of those movies that evokes mixed emotions. Sure, it was one of the really scary ones when it just came out, and the rumors of a curse after... Read more

  Posted on 07 November 2013 POLITICS, RELIGION, SOCIETY

• Voting Vicissitudes

  

  “Remember, remember, the fifth of November, the Gunpowder Treason and plot. I know of no reason, why the Gunpowder Treason, should ever be forgot. Read more

  Posted on 06 November 2013 POLITICS, RELIGION, SOCIETY

• Falls Tree

  

  The autumn trees have been absolutely transcendent the past few days. From my earliest memories fall has been my favorite time of year, and a large determinant... Read more

  Posted on 04 November 2013 POLITICS, RELIGION, SOCIETY

• Vampire Science

  

  How is one to take a book that combines science and vampires? That was the thought going through my head as I stood in Borders during the sad process of their... Read more

  Posted on 03 November 2013 POLITICS, RELIGION, SOCIETY

• Final Frontier?

  

  Stay away from the dark side. That’s generally good advice. Ironically, new religious movements (NRMs, in the biz) have come up in my conversations quite a bit... Read more

  Posted on 02 November 2013 POLITICS, RELIGION, SOCIETY

• Sacred Fear

  

  Last week’s Time magazine ran a story about fear. I’m no stranger to this emotion, so long ago I decided to engage it creatively rather than run away. The... Read more

  Posted on 01 November 2013 POLITICS, RELIGION, SOCIETY

• Conscientious Ghosts

  

  It’s finally Halloween. In keeping with the spirit of the season, NPR recently ran a story on ghosts. I’ve posted on the topic of ghosts several times since the... Read more

  Posted on 31 October 2013 POLITICS, RELIGION, SOCIETY

• World War 1.2

  

  75 years ago today Orson Welles presented a radio drama version of The War of the Worlds. Perhaps it was the looming fear of the Second World War in a society... Read more

  Posted on 30 October 2013 POLITICS, RELIGION, SOCIETY

• Hungry Again

  

  Vampires are on my mind. The funny thing is this often is the case when I’m unemployed. Feeling lost and alone, I settled down to watch the most depressing... Read more

  Posted on 29 October 2013 POLITICS, RELIGION, SOCIETY