The recent gang rape of a 12-year-old girl in a Paris suburb has sent shockwaves throughout France, leaving many to wonder how such a heinous crime could occur. Two 12-year-old boys have been charged with the assault, which was allegedly motivated by antisemitic slurs. The girl, who is Jewish, was r
In a most disturbing development, Trump has taken to exploiting his supporters' religious beliefs to further his own political ambitions. This toxic cocktail of religion and politics is a clear and present danger to the very fabric of our democracy. To understand the depth of this threat, it's essen
The recent lawsuit filed by civil liberties groups against Louisiana's new law requiring the display of the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms has sparked a heated debate about the separation of church and state. The law, signed by Republican Governor Jeff Landry, requires all K-12 classro
The recent directive issued by Oklahoma's State Superintendent Ryan Walters ordering the inclusion of the Bible in lessons for grades 5-12 has sparked widespread controversy. While Walters claims that the Bible is an "indispensable historical and cultural touchstone," critics argue that it is a clea
The age-old debate about displaying the Ten Commandments in schools has once again ignited a fiery conversation. David Herlich recently wrote that Louisiana's decision to display the commandments in schools is an attempt to convert every student to Christianity. But, is that really the case? Let's d
Josh Hawley, a U.S. Senator from Missouri, has recently sparked controversy by advocating for Christian nationalism, a far-right ideology that claims the United States was founded as a Christian nation and promotes Christian fundamentalism as a national religion. But is this ideology really as benig
Have you ever felt a sense of unease on Friday the 13th, or perhaps wondered why your favorite sports team's fans always seem to have a few "lucky" rituals? Superstitions are fascinating and pervasive, yet often irrational and illogical. But why do we believe in them, despite knowing they don't make
The recent docuseries, "Secret Lives of Mormon Wives," has sparked widespread interest and debate about the lives and practices of Mormon women. To shed some light on the misconceptions and stereotypes surrounding the religion, Taylor Frankie Paul and Mayci Neeley, two stars of the show, appeared on
As the curtains open on The Front Room, a sense of unease settles over the audience. The film's title, borrowed from a short story by Susan Hill, hints at the tension that lies beneath the surface of this seemingly ordinary family's life. The Eggers brothers, Sam and Max, have taken the original sto
When someone rudely sneers at your religious beliefs or lack thereof, the best response depends on who they are and the nature of your relationship. Can you easily walk away from them? Is there an obvious power differential (e.g., a workplace scenario)? Do you have an emotional bond or just wa
