Saturday, July 30, 2011

Judaism in the Roman Empire

Finally found some decent work on the place of Judaism in the Roman Empire - not as part of the usual tale of Christians and Jews - but from the point of view of Judaism itself and the degree of social integration with both pagans and Christians - 'The Jews among Pagans and Christians in the Roman Empire' "Lieu, North and Rajak, Routledge, 1992  - the chapters are derived from seminars held at the Institute of Classical Studies in London.  I am mining some interesting nuggets on ordinary believers, which is my principle research interest.





Sunday, July 24, 2011

Reginald Bibby and the Sociology of Religion in Canada

I might make this article the focus of one of the last two discussions this term for students of my World Religions in Historical Context class - but offer it here for anyone to reflect on...

Just click here or on the blog title...

Monday, July 11, 2011

Heritage & History

This post is not about religion, but about what it is to study the past in general. Take an hour from your day and listen to this talk by Sir Keith Thomas. Prof. Thomas wrote a seminal study of religion and magic 40 years ago Religion and the Decline of Magic

Listen here:

http://backdoorbroadcasting.net/2011/04/keith-thomas-heritage-or-history-conflicting-views-of-the-past/