religion

"The Bonobo and the Atheist: In Search of Humanism Among the Primates" by Frans de Waal

Joe Donahue — Fri, 03 May 2013 15:12:00 +0000

For many years, Frans de Waal has observed chimpanzees soothe distressed neighbors and bonobos share their food. In The Bonobo and the Atheist: In Search of Humanism Among the Primates, he delivers fascinating fresh evidence for the seeds of ethical behavior in primate societies that further cements the case for the biological origins of human fairness. Interweaving vivid tales from the animal kingdom with thoughtful philosophical analysis, de Waal seeks a bottom-up explanation of morality that emphasizes our connection with animals.

Albany Metro Area #1 Among 'Post-Christian' US Cities

Dave Lucas — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 19:32:39 +0000

Recent polls and surveys show a huge shift in religious identity in many areas across the country, with attendance at religious services lagging. According to one evangelical marketing group, the once faithful are now identified as "post-Christians," and Albany, New York is number one on a list of the most post-Christian cities in the United States.

Is the nation moving away from Christianity and other forms of conventional faith?

Jewish World Ventures Into Digital Waters

Dave Lucas — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 17:10:26 +0000

Capital Region Bureau Chief Dave Lucas sat down recently with Robert Titov, the Digital Development Director at the Jewish World. They discussed how the paper is adapting to cultural shifts away from traditional print media.

Listen to the interview by clicking on the link provided. You can experience Robert Titov's work by visiting jewishworldnews.org ... you can follow them on twitter at @jw_news and join them on Facebook at jewishworldnews.

4/3/13 - Panel

Ray Graf — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 13:00:00 +0000

Today's panelists are WAMC’s Alan Chartock, WAMC’s Morning Edition Host, David Guistina, and Associate Editor of The Times Union – Mike Spain. Ray Graf moderates.

This morning our discussion topics include:

State Senator Malcolm Smith corruption case
Gun Control Reform, President Obama is in CO today, CT next week
Gallup Poll shows The Capital Region is among the least religious regions in the nation
China Smog Linked to 1.2 Million Premature Deaths

Sword of the Spirit, Shield of Faith

Joe Donahue — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 15:35:00 +0000

We welcome Andrew Preston and speak about his book, Sword of the Spirit, Shield of Faith.

"The Myth of Persecution" by Candida Moss

Joe Donahue — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 14:45:00 +0000

In The Myth of Persecution, Candida Moss, a leading expert on early Christianity, reveals how the early church exaggerated, invented, and forged stories of Christian martyrs and how the dangerous legacy of a martyrdom complex is employed today to silence dissent and galvanize a new generation of culture warriors.

According to cherished church tradition and popular belief, before the Emperor Constantine made Christianity legal in the fourth century, early Christians were systematically persecuted by a brutal Roman Empire intent on their destruction.

Irshad Manji at MCLA Public Policy Lecture Series

Joe Donahue — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 14:35:00 +0000

Irshad Manji is Director of the Moral Courage Project at New York University and she will be speaking at the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts in North Adams Thursday night at 7PM.

"Why Priests?" by Garry Wills

Joe Donahue — Fri, 15 Feb 2013 14:35:00 +0000

Just days after the Pope announced his resignation; we will talk about the priesthood with Garry Wills. Bestselling author of Papal Sin and Why I Am a Catholic?, Wills spent five years as a young man at a Jesuit seminary and nearly became a priest himself.

But after a lifetime of study and reflection, he now poses some challenging questions: Why do we need priests at all? Why did the priesthood arise in a religion that began without it and opposed it? Would Christianity be stronger without the priesthood, as it was at its outset?

His new book is Why Priests?: A Failed Tradition.

Vatican announces pope's retirement

Associated Press — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 11:21:20 +0000

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Benedict XVI announced Monday that he would resign Feb. 28 — the first pontiff to do so in nearly 600 years. The decision sets the stage for a conclave to elect a new pope before the end of March.

The 85-year-old pope announced his decision in Latin during a meeting of Vatican cardinals on Monday morning.

He emphasized that carrying out the duties of being pope — the leader of more than a billion Roman Catholics worldwide — requires "both strength of mind and body."

"Going Clear: Scientology, Hollywood, and the Prison of Belief" by Lawrence Wright

Joe Donahue — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 14:35:00 +0000

In Going Clear: Scientology, Hollywood, and the Prison of Belief by Lawrence Wright, we learn about Scientology’s complicated cosmology and special language. We see the ways in which the church pursues celebrities, such as Tom Cruise and John Travolta, and how such stars are used to advance the church’s goals. And we meet the young idealists who have joined the Sea Org, the church’s clergy, signing up with a billion-year contract.