Western Sufism: 7 Questions for Mark Sedgwick
Mark Sedgwick Sufis are, of course, always on a search for the sacred. They understand the sacred in various ways, but the classic starting point is the starting point of everything—that is to say, the One of Neoplatonic philosophy, from which all else emanates.
Borders and Walls
Louis A. Ruprecht Jr. But borders are not sources of human crisis. . . until one tries to build a wall.
The Ruling Class: Jeff Tweedy Singing about Jesus
Jeff Tweedy Yeah he’s back jack, smokin’ crack, find him if you wanna get found…
What Makes a Mountain, Hill, or Prairie a ‘Sacred’ Place for Native Americans?
Rosalyn R. LaPier What makes a mountain, hill or prairie a “sacred” place?
Jerry Garcia on the Grateful Dead Concert Experience
Dead concert = religious experience?
In Memoriam: Chuck Berry
Chuck Berry, 1926-2017
Seven Questions for David G. Robertson
David G. Roberston There is nothing more rational about believing in Jesus’ resurrection than believing that Reptilian extraterrestrials secretly run the world.
Get Out: The Ending We Needed
Nicole Symmonds Peele grants viewers, especially black ones, the kind of reprieve we’ve been hoping for as citizens of a world hell-bent on ensuring that our lived experience is one of horror and not happy endings.
Jim James’ Musical Blend of the Religious, Spiritual, and Secular
Scott Muir My aim here is not to fix any “real meaning” to James’ output or speculate about his personal identity, but rather to illustrate how he presents an entangled web of meanings that his listeners may appropriate for their own religious/spiritual/secular constructions of the sacred.
The Changing Nature of America’s Irreligious Explained
Richard Flory Despite the rapid increase in the number of Americans who claim no religious affiliation, nones remain a relatively small group within the American electorate.