Category Archives: The Scoop

by Dalia Hashad “Islam: Questions and Answers,” a recent special edition of ABC's “20/20,” promised to shed light on America's most misunderstood religion. That promise went woefully unfulfilled. In fact, riddled with misinformation, confused logic and racist rhetoric, the show … Continue reading →

Much wailing and gnashing of teeth followed the recent release of the Pew Forum's survey of Americans' religious knowledge. The news that, on average, most of us know only half the answers to questions on the Bible, global faith traditions … Continue reading →

by Richard Flory Left behind: cell-phones, wallets, the deed to a house and farewell letters to relatives that ended, “We're going to heaven to meet Jesus.” It all spelled “cult” to officials in Palmdale, a parched city of 150,000 where … Continue reading →

by S. Brent Plate I currently teach a course called, “Religion and Modern Art.” When I mention this to people, they usually look puzzled. “How can you study that? Modern artists aren't religious!” Most reporters who cover the arts share … Continue reading →

by Su'ad Abdul Khabeer In the past week, “the apology” has been presented as a salve to the current anti-Muslim hysteria plaguing the United States. The first apology was extended by New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof, who apologized for … Continue reading →

by Brie Loskota and Nick Street Woody Allen recently opined in the New York Times that “there's no real difference between a fortune teller or a fortune cookie and any of the organized religions. They're all equally valid or invalid, … Continue reading →

by Samuel Chu Christine O'Donnell, the newest Tea Party darling, caused a stir with her surprising win in the Delaware Republican primary for the U.S. Senate. Since her win, news stories about her non-mainstream beliefs and practices have surfaced almost … Continue reading →

Last week, New York Times columnist Ross Douthat told a SoCal audience that religion reporters need to take theology seriously: theology has consequences. Differing from his professional peers who see the world through a political lens, Douthat said many people … Continue reading →

by Kevin Healey Last year, Keith Olbermann repeatedly compared Glenn Beck to Harold Hill, the instrument-toting con-man from “The Music Man.” The comparison seems even more apt after Beck's Restoring Honor rally; borrowing a bit of mojo from his prominent … Continue reading →

by Omri Elisha When lists start to appear ranking the “Top 10 Religion Stories of 2010,” Glenn Beck's Restoring Honor rally will almost certainly be among them. But amidst the hype surrounding his efforts to reinvigorate theocentric civil religion, more … Continue reading →