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 ( 4559 )
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Nesting Urge
Okay, I’m going to try really hard to do this without spoilers. There’s a twist ending here that, in my humble opinion, works. All I’ll say is that the monster... Read more
Posted on 20 November 2023 POLITICS, RELIGION, SOCIETY -
Not What It Seems
Now for the local news. The ironic thing is I know very few people locally and even though folks are friendly around here nobody really wants to get to know... Read more
Posted on 19 November 2023 POLITICS, RELIGION, SOCIETY -
Cute Monster
Those who make horror films often rely on the cheap and easy tricks to make viewers jump and scream. Some of us are more connoisseurs, preferring films that mak... Read more
Posted on 18 November 2023 POLITICS, RELIGION, SOCIETY -
Buy Books
It’s funny how the bad guy can become the good guy in new circumstances. I’m thinking in the bookstore context. Now, I love independent bookstores. I shop... Read more
Posted on 17 November 2023 POLITICS, RELIGION, SOCIETY -
High Places
Among the many phobias I experience is acrophobia—the fear of heights. I’ve had episodes of vertigo and they never really leave me in the mood to reflect upon... Read more
Posted on 16 November 2023 POLITICS, RELIGION, SOCIETY -
Biggest Book
As a bibliophile it’s kind of embarrassing to admit that I’ve only just learned about the world’s largest book. If you’re like me you’re probably imagining an... Read more
Posted on 15 November 2023 POLITICS, RELIGION, SOCIETY -
Sleep Well
It’s scary, actually. How you think depends on how you sleep. I suspect that the degree of this differs individual by individual, but I recently had a couple... Read more
Posted on 14 November 2023 POLITICS, RELIGION, SOCIETY -
Not Making Decisions
After anesthesia they tell you, “Don’t make any important decisions.” That’s the excuse I’m using for having watched Llamageddon recently. That, and it’s free o... Read more
Posted on 13 November 2023 POLITICS, RELIGION, SOCIETY -
A Century of Horror
I’m not a magazine reader. When I go to a waiting room (which is quite a bit lately), I tend to take a book. The October issue of The Christian Century,... Read more
Posted on 12 November 2023 POLITICS, RELIGION, SOCIETY -
Old Oak Tree
Trees have much to teach us, if only we’ll pay attention. They are fascinating plants in their own right, living longer than just about anything else. Read more
Posted on 11 November 2023 POLITICS, RELIGION, SOCIETY -
Double the Trouble
A down-on-his-luck writer (I’m with you so far) vacations on his wealthy wife’s money in a resort in La Tolqa. La Tolqa is a brutal, very religious, but poor... Read more
Posted on 10 November 2023 POLITICS, RELIGION, SOCIETY -
The Jonah Treatment
A kayak on the ocean might’ve seemed to be a safe place during a pandemic. In November of 2020, however, two women ended up getting the Jonah treatment. Read more
Posted on 09 November 2023 POLITICS, RELIGION, SOCIETY -
Unexpected Gifts
Sometimes horror movie therapy doesn’t go the way expected. (No surprises there, so no snarky comments, please. No therapy is “one size fits all.”) This was... Read more
Posted on 08 November 2023 POLITICS, RELIGION, SOCIETY -
Obscure Subjects
The world is so full of things that require further explanation that I can’t believe there aren’t more universities. No, seriously. Read more
Posted on 07 November 2023 POLITICS, RELIGION, SOCIETY -
Mystery of Poe
I’ve read my fair share of books on Edgar Allan Poe, but I have to say that Mark Dawidziak’s A Mystery of Mystery: The Death and Life of Edgar Allan Poe is... Read more
Posted on 06 November 2023 POLITICS, RELIGION, SOCIETY -
Asking Questions
Strangely appropriate pareidolia is one of those oddly specific things that generates a lot of internet interest. I was late to find out about the “question... Read more
Posted on 05 November 2023 POLITICS, RELIGION, SOCIETY -
Enabling Vampires
I was skeptical at first. Nicolas Cage as Dracula? How could this possibly work? Nevertheless, Renfield works. A box office flop, I suspect that audiences may... Read more
Posted on 04 November 2023 POLITICS, RELIGION, SOCIETY -
The Good Lurid
It takes a lifetime to make a reputation. In high school my teachers and classmates knew mine well: religious and full of integrity. Read more
Posted on 03 November 2023 POLITICS, RELIGION, SOCIETY -
All of Us
All Souls is a democratic holiday. Since Halloween is really the start of the holiday season, we really should keep it, together with All Saints and All Souls... Read more
Posted on 02 November 2023 POLITICS, RELIGION, SOCIETY -
November Nightmares
Music videos weren’t really a thing then. And “Welcome to my Nightmare” was theater as well as rock. I knew a movie of it existed, but I only made an effort to... Read more
Posted on 01 November 2023 POLITICS, RELIGION, SOCIETY
