The events that occurred during the Crusades, the encounter of Western and Eastern civilisations, led to certain modes of thinking and representations that are still evident today, overtly or subliminally. By revisiting some of the Western and Eastern chronicles of the first Crusade, we hope to capture the source of some of these images and to see…

We evaluate the argument that Islamist terrorist attacks represent a distinctive "4th wave" of transnational terrorism that has supplanted Leftist terrorism. Drawing on ITERATE data for 1968-2003, the annual count of Leftist attacks has declined since the end of the Cold War while Islamist attacks have persisted and spiked upward in 2002-03.…

One of the most confrontational issues before American school boards and administrators is the effort by some Christian fundamentalists to have their views on life and its origins taught in science classes as a scientifically valid alternative to biological evolution. The issue continues to plague science education, suggesting that few school…

Describes the genocidal tendencies of Iran's Khomeini government in dealing with members of the Baha'i religion. States that world outcry may have been a contributing factor in the decline in executions. Concludes that discrimination against Baha'i institutions may lead to destruction of the faith and that averting mass execution does not mean…

Provides a concise summary of the main features of Marxism and challenges the thesis of the Vatican's "Instruction on Certain Aspects of the Theology of Liberation" that any use of Marxist categories or analysis entails a wholesale acceptance of Marxist philosophy, with its atheistic implications. (Author/ABB)

Presented is a court case on the freedom of religion for American Indians who use Peyote, a central element in the ceremony and practice of the Native American Church. (FF)

The author suggests some ways in which the school counselor may serve both skeptical church members and uncommitted searchers in a time of religious change. (MM)

This article reports on two Mideast-themed schools which have attracted fierce controversy amplified in the news media and the blogosphere. A new public school with a focus on Arabic language and culture is set to open in New York City this week, after being assailed for months by opponents who claim it will be a taxpayer-funded Islamic school…

Through the voice of Thomas Nashe in "The Unfortunate Traveller," published in 1594, it is possible to see another side of the historical conflict between splintering Anabaptist groups and the state-operated church which controlled voice and thus literacy and literature during the Renaissance. The Anabaptist movement, forerunner of the…

Rhetorical movement theory suggests two portrayals of social movements: the establishment conflict, or radical innovational portrayal, and the innovational, in which the movement is seen as upholding traditional values while suggesting institutional modifications or additions. A third portrayal, the competitive, lies on the midpoint on a continuum…

Discusses how humanists should respond to the peace movement and attacks made on them by fundamentalist religious groups. The author urges humanists to stress the ethical implications of U.S. foreign policy and to work cooperatively with groups supporting the nuclear freeze. (AM)

Presents an essay dealing with two nineteenth-century incidents of religious intolerance. Recounts the story of Joseph Smith, the founder of the Mormon Church, who was murdered by opponents of the new religion. Explains how the writings of Presbyterian minister and newspaper publisher, Elijah Lovejoy, set off a response that led to his death. (SG)

Guided by First Amendment principles, Americans must agree on a shared civic framework within which to negotiate our deepest differences. A painful first step is acknowledging public education's failure to find a constitutionally permissable, educationally sound role for religion in the schools. This situation has helped convince religious…

Through in-depth interviews with nine adult Jewish nonbelievers, this study explored the onset of their nonbelief and the degree of their spiritual well-being, and compares these results with nine Jewish believers. Findings indicate a need to revise current theories of religious development and also suggest the potential value of counseling…

The titles of the reactions to this major contribution alone set the stage for further exploration of the issues regarding the hopes and dreams of same-sex attracted (SSA) clients in religious conflict and their therapists, issues of choice, and whether or not it is possible - or even appropriate - to depolarize the current debate (Gonsiorek,…