10 Top Religion and Politics Stories

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Friedrich Nietzsche wrote "God is Dead" in "The Gay Science" in 1882. However, it is only now in 2010 that scholars are able to explain how and why people can come to believe in religion. Dell Hymes shows how we can understand conversation analysis by using the research tool and the mnemonic device "S-P-E-A-K-I-N-G." He shows how difficult it really is to write down with accuracy, how someone can record utterances other people make, let alone record something that someone said 150 years before they were born.
John L. Austin explains how people "Do" things with words, in order to get what they want in an economic cost/benefit reaction. Pierre Bourdieu explains with his practice theory how people's worldviews are shaped and molded by close associations with those around them, i.e. how thoe with whom we surround ourselves on a daily basis define our identies and shape our perpetual habitus, which make up our worldviews.
Erving Goffman uses performance theory to explain how behavior patterns are structured in social situations based on his notion of dramaturgy, and that given certain contingent factors, humans and human behavior is able to be patterned and understood.
Given these integral theories developed in the recent past, there is scientific evidence to conclude that humans are social animals, social animals that need to socialize in order to survive, define themselves within social structures and establish identities, identities that define them as humans that have a sense of belonging.
Religion is a place for people to belong. People need reinforcement in a place to belong. Religion is a tautology. It begins with a premise or the notion that God exists, and much like conspiracy theories, they utilize anything and everything within their realm of possibilities as evidence for the perpetual conclusion that a God must exist, without ever stopping to test whether or not a God exists, never once being skeptical, or questioning the possibility that they might be wrong. Scientists are humbled before factual evidence rooted in observations, observations of human conversational analysis, conversational analysis that can be employed cross-culturally, ultimately testing the universality of the human condition, and need for searching for their own identities.
Religion, and ultimately God, is dead.

Daniel of AZ 1:59PM August 08, 2010

Delivers the Bottom Line World View!
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Answer Life's Biggest Questions!
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Mr Dennis Hibbard of CA 9:01PM January 18, 2010

In the bible. Their are storys about Lord Gods displeasement.Around 2004 a christian revival was happening. Millionaires groups would not share(create jobs, find out about helpful). Mobs after jobs. Every where. Politicians yelling for abortion. A new cell, a new person! Babys are a blessing. Scam science after businesses. Starvation is still happening! Abusive taught to go after christians. I was slander at church. I am vey poor. I am stuck in a small town backroads. I have asked several millionaire groups for help. No help happened. My neighbors after me and my family to make them theirs or they woul be ... Over 3 evil angels torment me. I am not mr. robot like my Father Lord God. Evilist and white sup constantly target. Scammin pharma and fd. No property to have medicaines.(animals, plants) Millionaires have not shared with christians. They have been targeted. I did not get start up money after high school. usa businesses are on the wrong path. I am displeased!!!!!!!! 1 corinth 14:26. Rev 12:9.Consequences of sin-poverty, violence. Mob is not the way. Righteouss justice is a way. Say no to abortionist liberals! Say no to cults. Gal 3:3.God is greatest. Witness and go. Surrender all!

andy tucker great Jesus c. 1 of IN 9:20AM January 02, 2010

Your piece is well said.
Let me add to it by saying that many of the Christian leaders and so called Christians of America have compromised the very principals of the Christ by aligning themselves with a political philosophy that is diametrically opposite to that of the teachings of Christ. In fact they have remade God in their own image and likeness to the point that if he came in disguise preaching the same words today, he would be accused of being a "Socialist and a Communist" and perhaps sent to his second "Crucifixion" if they could get away with it.

Chris of ID 3:23PM January 01, 2010

To me, religion is the antithesis of politics. It is an inner developmental and not outer thing. When it becomes the latter it often turns people into the very opposite of what it should be - angry mobs of people who cannot think for themselves, who lack respect for others not of like mind, who try to (innocently at times) institute an autocratic type of rule.
There is a reason why Jesus did not involve himself in politics. He made no attempt to change the politics of the countries He visited. Some of today's modern Christians could learn from Him.

Joan Dalton of AL 10:03AM December 31, 2009

If I read your your blog correctly, you are not ending blogging. You are ending your blog here. Where are you going? Can you provide a link?

D VanAartsen of IA 9:24AM December 31, 2009

Mr. Gilgoff,
Where are you going? Why is this blog ending?
Along with Steven Waldman's blog (which sadly ended a month ago), yours was my favorite faith and politics blog in existence.
Granted, there are other decent observers on your blog roll (i.e. Brody, Dreher, Sullivan et al) but I will surely miss this blog.
What's next for you?

Dan S. of HI 7:54PM December 30, 2009

It's ending in some part because of the elitist and cynical
views like Hanks, from TN. He and Mr. Obama must be soulmates.
God Bless you nonetheless. He loves us all.

Bill of VA 4:50PM December 30, 2009

Your list appeals to an narrow elite politically inclined crowd, and doesn't say no much about the role religion plays in America. Note the fascination with Newt Gingrich on your list demonstrates another pol using religion for political gain and no one misses the blatant pandering.
With all due respect, thanks for admitting that this exercise of using religion for political gain is not gaining any traction, and rightfully should die on the vine.
Excuse us if we haven't had enough narrow interpretations of religious blogs that don't come close to reflecting the numerous views of religion in America, except in some evangelical wish tanks. We see way too much evangelical conformity and obnoxious censorship to hold their line in all too many religious blogs these days, so this one never stood out as anything different.
So like the way of the Whig, we are all too happy to say adios to this kind of blog.

Hank of TN 3:42PM December 30, 2009

Thank God for the last post of God & Country.
How about a New Year's Resolution that we have a post on individual accountability and responsibility in this life, a morality and ethics based on universal survival and a cure for xenophobia?

Morton Kurzweil of FL 2:28PM December 30, 2009