Monthly Archives: January 2005

CFP: an interdisciplinary conference on divination

Posted on January 18, 2005 by

INVITATION AND CALL FOR PAPERS:Unveiling the hidden – an interdisciplinary conference on divination Funded by University of Copenhagen’s current research program: ‘Religion in the 21st Century’ 1.-3. August 2005. University of Copenhagen Keynote speakers: Philip M. Peek, Drew’s University. Susan … Continue reading →

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Writers on the bridge

Posted on January 12, 2005 by

I got this via email today: January 12, 2005In a first of its kind gathering, Israeli, Palestinian and Arab writers from around the world will meet together at the Sheikh Hussein Bridge on Tuesday, February 15, 2005. An international crossing … Continue reading →

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The Hebrew Hammer (USA, 2000)

Posted on January 11, 2005 by

Over the top parody of blaxploitation movies, where the Jewish Hero saves Hanukkah from getting stolen by Santa Claus’ evil son. Irrelevant and offensive as you would expect from a Comedy Central (US 24 hour cable channel) movie. They go … Continue reading →

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The prophetic role of civil religion

Posted on January 10, 2005 by

The Register Guard from Oregon had an opinion piece about president Bush and an Economist article about his rhetorics. The author, Sam Porter, a sociology of religion professor at the University of Oregon, reminded us that the role of “civil … Continue reading →

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On the Kabbalah Center

Posted on January 10, 2005 by

Three recent articles pointed my attention to the business enterprise called Kabbalah Centre. An interview with one of its rabbis on beliefnet, an expose in the Telegraph, and a social review of Madonna’s embracing them Boston Globe by Perle Besserman … Continue reading →

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Boesman & Lena (USA, 2000)

Posted on January 10, 2005 by

I haven’t been to a theatre since early summer. But this came close to it. Essentially a dialogue between two people on one location, spanning a few hours. There are only a few exceptions: flashbacks to a happier past, and … Continue reading →

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Religion and Gender Conference

Posted on January 9, 2005 by

From an email list. BSA Sociology of Religion Study Group Annual Conference: Religion and Gender 11th – 13th April 2005 Lancaster University Call for Papers Speakers will include: Colin Campbell, Callum Brown, Charlotte Hardman, Dick Houtman, Sevgi Kilic and Penny … Continue reading →

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Bad ma ra khahad bord (The wind will carry us, Iran, 1999)

Posted on January 9, 2005 by

Here is a movie I can honestly say I don’t “get.” Yes, eventually I figured out the plot: an engineer came to a remote Iranian village to shoot footage of a local ritual related to the death of an old … Continue reading →

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Amistad (USA, 1997)

Posted on January 9, 2005 by

I should have seen this move when it came out. But at that time I had the misconception that it has a tragic ending and didn’t feel up to it. Then I should have seen this last quarter, when I … Continue reading →

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Moving Away

Posted on January 8, 2005 by

In Colorado’s Summit County Daily News there was a lively article about the shifts in the county’s religious makeup. Nationwide, the number of Americans moving away from religion has doubled in the last 10 years. Western states attract people who … Continue reading →

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