Every day brings new headlines of horrific violence perpetrated in the name of Islam. This program from American Public Media's Speaking of Faith unit asks: What makes the Muslim religion such a potent vehicle for violence and danger at this moment in time?
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The theory of the "God gap"--which suggests that, in general, religious Americans are Republicans and non-religious Americans are Democrats--has played prominently in press reporting on the 2004 presidential race. At their recent conventions, both parties seemed to grapple with faith and respond to the perceived God gap in interesting and unexpected ways. This special program from American Public Media's "Speaking of Faith" asks whether there actually is such a clear cut rift in American society.
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Minneapolis writer Neal Karlen describes himself as a shanda—a scandal. He grew up Jewish, in a devout Twin Cities family, but he eventually turned away from rabbinical study and drifted afield of his heritage. In his new book "Shanda" he explains how he tried to make people like him by telling jokes laden with offensive stereotypes, and how a chance friendship brought him back to a more meaningful existence.
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Before the Islamic revolution of 1979, Iran was the first country in the Middle East to bring together secular and sacred law. A legal code developed in 1927 did away with gruesome Islamic punishments such as stoning and lashing. Iranian-born NPR Producer Davar Ardalan's great-grandfather was the architect of Iran's legal code in the early 1920s. Ardalan and co-producer Rasool Nafisi look at Iran's long search for a lawful society in this American RadioWorks documentary.
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Hundreds of families on the Red Lake Indian Reservation once made their living from commercial walleye fishing. But decades of over-harvest nearly wiped out the walleye. In 1999, tribal, state and federal officials agreed to a recovery plan. Walleye fishing was banned. Now, biologists say the species has rebounded. They say walleye fishing can begin again in 2006. That presents a dilemma for the Red Lake people. Some tribal members want to open the lake to sports fishing and tourism. Others want the lake to remain off-limits to outsiders.
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You have probably seen the billboards and lawn signs around the region, touting this weekend's Twin Cities Festival, featuring Dr. Luis Palau. The Christian based gathering, with rock bands, a skate boarding park, and demonstrations of extreme sports, is expected to draw about 250,000 people to the Minnesota State Capitol grounds. It is sponsored by about 850 churches, a number of high profile corporate leaders and companies, including the Star Tribune. The focus is on bringing people, especially young people, to Jesus Christ. Dr. Palau is internationally known around the world for his evangelism, and is a protege of Billy Graham. Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer spoke with Dr. Luis Palau.
Sen. John Kerry is just the third Catholic ever nominated to be president of the United States. In 1928, Al Smith, and again in 1960, Sen. John F. Kennedy -- both Democrats -- had to answer questions from voters about the role of their religion in governing. Now, some politicians are answering the same question, but this time it's coming from their church.
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Many great art collections are tucked away in various houses of worship throughout the Twin Cities. Churches and temples use the art to inspire and educate their congregations. But the collections add new wrinkles to the already complex business of collecting art.
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Spiritual speech is becoming a staple on the campaign trail. From conversion to communion, private religious practice is generating passionate political discussion.
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A new Speaking of Faith program about the debate over gay marriage, which has been framed in Christian terms in this country. Hear interviews with two Evangelical Christians, Richard Mouw, the President of Fuller Theological Seminary, and Virginia Ramey Mollenkott, a feminist theologian and Professor Emeritus of English at William Paterson University of New Jersey. They are struggling with the question of gay marriage in different ways.
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