Why is a love poem full of sex in the Bible? Readers have been struggling with the Song of Songs for 2,000 years
Figuring out what to do with the ‘Song of Songs’ has preoccupied people reading the Bible for centuries. 'Song of Songs' illustrated by Florence Kingsford/Southern Methodist University/Wikimedia Commons Jonathan Kaplan , The University of Texas at Austin Many Americans have heard the expression “I am my beloved’s, and my beloved is mine” – in fact, a quick Google search turns up myriad websites offering wedding bands inscribed with the much-loved line . Search Etsy for Valentine’s Day gifts, and you’ll see jewelry, T-shirts and…
Best Easter pageant ever? Half a century of ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’
Best Easter pageant ever? Half a century of ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ Henry Bial , University of Kansas In the days leading up to Easter Sunday, Christians around the world will participate in retellings of the story of the last days of Jesus’ life, from his entry into Jerusalem to the Last Supper and to his trial, crucifixion and resurrection. They may walk the Stations of the Cross – a processional ritual marking key points in the biblical narrative – attend a pageant or simply gather in church for religious services. And some people wil…
When Putin says Russia and Ukraine share one faith, he’s leaving out a lot of the story
Kathryn David , Vanderbilt University Russian President Vladimir Putin has often asserted that Russians and Ukrainians are “one people .” He points to a few factors: the Russian language spoken widely in both countries, their similar cultures, and the two countries’ political connections, which date back to medieval times. But there is one more factor that ties all these together: religion. Grand Prince Volodymyr, leader of the kingdom of Kyiv, converted to Christianity in the 10th century and forced his subjects to do the same. As Putin see…
Americans are in a mental health crisis – especially African Americans. Can churches help?
Brad R. Fulton , Indiana University Centuries of systemic racism and everyday discrimination in the U.S. have left a major mental health burden on African American communities, and the past few years have dealt especially heavy blows. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicate that Black Americans are twice as likely to die of COVID-19, compared with white Americans. Their communities have also been hit disproportionately by job losses, food insecurity and homelessness as a result of the pandemic. Meanwhile, ra…
9/11 survivors’ exposure to toxic dust and the chronic health conditions that followed offer lessons that are still too often unheeded
Roberto Lucchini , Florida International University The 9/11 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center in New York resulted in the loss of 2,753 people in the Twin Towers and surrounding area . After the attack, more than 100,000 responders and recovery workers from every U.S. state – along with some 400,000 residents and other workers around ground zero – were exposed to a toxic cloud of dust that fell as a ghostly, thick layer of ash and then hung in the air for more than three months. The World Trade Center dust plume, or WTC dust …
What schools teach about 9/11 and the war on terror
Jeremy Stoddard , University of Wisconsin-Madison and Diana Hess , University of Wisconsin-Madison The phrase “ Never Forget ” is often associated with the terror attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. But what does this phrase mean for U.S. students who are too young to remember? What are they being asked to never forget? As education researchers in curriculum and instruction , we have studied since 2002 how the events of 9/11 and the global war on terror are integrated into secondary level U.S. classrooms and curricula. What we have found is a r…
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