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On the Difference Between Rendering to Caesar and Rendering to God
Let’s be very clear about one thing: Mark 12:17 says: “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” It does NOT say: “Render to God whatever you want, and...
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Dr. Hector Avalos Responds to Claim that Sandy Hook Massacre Was Result of...
My colleague, Dr. Hector Avalos of Iowa State University, has written a letter to the Editor of the Des Moines Register that swiftly exposes the fallacy of claiming that “a lack of prayer in schools,...
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Is the Internet bringing about the end of organized religion?
No, the Internet will not bring about the end of organized religion. But it is making it much easier to leave. There is a thoughtful article at AlterNet by Valerie Tarico entitled “Does the Internet...
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New Video from NonStampCollector: Biblical Slavery (It’s TOTALLY Different)
NonStampCollector (@nonstampNSC; YouTube; blog) has just released his latest provocative video. This time, he addresses the issue of biblical slavery. Definitely watch this video! It is a GREAT...
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NonStampCollector Comments on the Same-Sex Marriage Debate
NonStampCollector (@nonstampNSC; YouTube; blog) has just posted a short comment on attempts to use Christianity – and especially Christian appeals to biblical mythological accounts like the story of...
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Westboro Baptist Church to Protest 3 Churches in Malibu…but NOT Pepperdine,...
I have been embarrassed on a few separate occasions to be associated with Pepperdine University, where I received my Master of Divinity. But I have never been as embarrassed, nay, as ashamed as I was...
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Dr. Morten Schlütter to speak at UCLA on “The Turbulent Life of the Platform...
My Department of Religious Studies colleague, Dr. Morten Schlütter, Associate Professor of Chinese Religions and Director of the Center for Asian and Pacific Studies at the University of Iowa, will...
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An Observation on Religious Argumentation
Listening to people argue about religion is often like watching two drunks argue about which is the best sports team, with two glaring differences: drunks can bring actual evidence in the form of...
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I AM ON RECORD in support of marriage equality for all Americans
Come on folks. It’s time to stand up and be heard on this issue. Marriage equality for same-sex couples is now before the Supreme Court. Stand up and be counted. PLEASE DO NOT stand idly by and hold...
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Marriage Equality for All Americans
Even the Bible(s and dictionaries) support marriage equality for all Americans. Filed under: art, causes, christianity, gender issues, judaism, religion, robert cargill Tagged: bible, california,...
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On Genesis 6:6-7 and Political Claims that God is “Pro-life”
Verse of the Day: Genesis 6:6-7: Gen. 6:6 And the LORD regretted that he had made humankind on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart. Gen. 6:7 So the LORD said, “I will blot out from the earth the...
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that awkward moment (surreal actually) when Christians dismiss the...
So it turns out that there has been a discussion online regarding my personal religious views (or lack thereof). Ironically, the subject made its way into the public realm when my friend, Dr. Jim West,...
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The Biblical Dilemma of Denouncing Slavery, Yet Opposing Homosexuality (again)
In light of recent claims that one most “possess the Holy Spirit” in order to interpret the Bible “properly”, I’d like to ask someone who believes he/she DOES possess the Holy Spirit and who is...
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Perhaps God IS trying to tell you something…
NBA player Jason Collins comes out as gay the same day Tim Tebow gets cut from the Jets. Perhaps God IS trying to tell you something… NBA player Jason Collins comes out as gay the same day Tim Tebow...
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Maury has “You are NOT the Father”, so Chris Broussard should have a segment...
Maury Povich has special episodes of his Maury Povich Show called, “You are NOT the Father,” where men learn via paternity tests whether or not they are the father of a child, usually with the...
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Still one of the oddest biblical commands: COVER YOUR POO! (Because God might...
One of my favorite obscure biblical commands is from Deut. 23:12-14 (v. 13-15 in the Hebrew). Right after God gives rules concerning how to deal with wet dreams (i.e., nocturnal seminal emissions – the...
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Three Iowa Religious Studies Profs Author Joint Editorial on Claims of...
Three Iowa Universities: The University of Iowa, The Iowa State University, and The University of Northern Iowa. Three religious studies professors: Dr. Hector Avalos (Iowa State), Dr. Robert R....
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Huffington Post story on Iowa Professors’ Des Moines Register Editorial on...
Meredith Bennett-Smith of the Huffington Post has published an article entitled, “Biblical Marriage Not Defined Simply As One Man, One Woman: Iowa Religious Scholars’ Op-Ed“, which examines an...
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Done and Done: Supreme Court invalidates DOMA, Effectively Ends Prop 8 in CA
Sometimes they get one right! And on this occasion, it’s a Double Rainbow all the way! ;-)...
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“The Rule of Creative Completion: Neofiti’s Use of שכלל” now available in...
You are invited to read my latest article in the Brill Journal Aramaic Studies entitled, “The Rule of Creative Completion: Neofiti’s Use of שכלל“. Here is the abstract: The verb שכלל never appears as...
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