Most Australians claim they believe in God or some kind of “higher power” and yet fewer than one in 10 of us attend church every week. We don’t actively “worship” and yet are apparently comforted by the mere presence of the many churches that operate in our community.
Books
INTERVIEW: Humans Become God? Yes, It’s Catholic Theology
A new book, Called to Be the Children of God: The Catholic Theology of Human Deification, offers essays from more than a dozen Catholic scholars and theologians to examine what this process of “deification” means in their respective areas of study. ZENIT asked editor Fr. David Meconi, S.J., to tell us about this doctrine, which might sound anything but Catholic, and about the book.
Coming of Age: Growing up Muslim in Australia
Growing up not-white and Muslim in Australia means becoming inured to a media and popular culture reflecting back faces and worlds which bear little resemblance to an everyday reality punctuated with ritual, some kind of after-school class, parental expectations and confusion.
Reading the Qur'an in the 21st Century – A Contextualist Approach
There is a need when reading the Quran in the 21st century, so everyone can understand and identify with it and the importance of looking at previous verses and the verses after it – a contextualist approach is needed. Prof. Abdullah Saeed of the Centre for Islamic Excellence has written one such text on this topic.
Great Spiritual Leaders
The death of Nelson Mandela in December 2013 prompted a global outpouring of both grief and celebration. The modern world had lost one of its great leaders. Mandela’s extraordinary personal gifts generated considerable discussion about public leadership.
The Journal of Dialogue Studies
The first issue of The Journal of Dialogue Studies has been made available on the Academia Edu website.
America's Blessings
Events in Egypt may well raise concerns again about the role of religion in society. While extremism or violence in the name of religion is certainly deplorable, overall religion is a positive influence. Author Rodney Stark concludes so in America’s Blessings: How Religion Benefits Everyone, Including Atheists.
Education Integration Challenges
Australia displays an outstanding record, says Dr Ata, in displaying tolerance and in accommodating an incredibly diverse population, in his new book, Education Integration Challenges.
Many Religions, All Australian
Quietly, with comparatively little drama, a large number of very different religious groups came and settled in Australia, becoming part of the landscape, part of Australian life and society
Down in the Chapel: Religious Life in an American Prison
Joshua Dubler’s Down in the Chapel opens with a scene of surprising calm for a book about maximum-security prisons. Al, a devout if extreme Protestant, and Baraka, a Warith Deen Mohammed Muslim, are debating the knowability of God’s intentions. Al thinks God is totally accessible, while Baraka disagrees. The two lightly bicker back and forth, but their tone is respectful. When asked how they remain so calm, Baraka jokes, “The creator made the world and said, ‘Have at it, fellas.’”
Reza Aslan on Zealot, the life and times of Jesus of Nazareth
From the internationally bestselling author of No god but God comes a fascinating, provocative, and meticulously researched biography that calls into question everything we thought we knew about Jesus of Nazareth.
