Religious Arguments Research Articles

‘Without Al womanly modesty’: civility, gender and women’s preaching

ABSTRACT This article explores discourses of civility in the key religious debates of the English Civil War period, revealing how appeals to civility were used in anti-toleration discourse and attacks on women’s preaching. It contextualizes the gender politics associated with this topic by examining early seventeenth-century conduct manuals for women, and then determining the connection between civility with other feminine ideals, such as modesty and silence. It then demonstrates the role that such a gendered notion of civility took in key religious debates of the times, including Quaker and anti-Quaker discourses of the 1650s. Anti-toleration polemicists portrayed women preachers as both uncivil and a symptom of increased social and religious disorder. I contend that at this time of increased political and religious discord, appeals to ‘civility’ and other feminine codes of conduct aimed at restricting women’s agency also served as a potent rhetorical strategy in dominant religious debate and conflict.

Dissemination in Social Media and Blogs of Public Health Information and Misinformation on Covid-19 Containment in Switzerland

Future epidemics are perceived as inevitable. Dissemination of information can enhance awareness, serving as an initial stride towards fostering desired epidemic-controlling actions among the public. In this study, a qualitative content analysis of Covid-19- and Switzerland-related social media and blog contributions points at a limited adoption of public health key messages and a negative reputation of the informing authorities. The authorities are to a marginal extent the source of information and a controversial sentiment towards vaccination emerges. In addition, we find a large share of disseminated information that is not conducive to pandemic containment. Within this, a substantial volume of misinformation emerges in statements on Covid-19-related issues. The misinformation consists primarily of unsubstantiated health consequences of the Covid-19 vaccination (both efficacy and side effects), and, less often, of trivialisation or denial of the pandemic. Furthermore, in a phase of political campaigning on a Covid-law referendum in Switzerland, social media contributors often portray pandemic containment as an undue, unlawful, or autocratic imposition on individual and collective freedom, and as a tool deployed for political repression. In addition, the pandemic or its containment are embedded in various conspiracies by users and containment measures are contested with religious, naturopathic or esoteric arguments.

Religion in Right-Wing Ecological Discourse. A Critical Content Analysis of a Far Right Periodical

Abstract While the climate crisis was denied for many years in right-wing movements, shifts in discourse have become apparent recently. Right-wing populists and extremists are developing their own narratives, such as population growth in the Global South. Religious references also become relevant in these right-wing narratives but empirical studies on religion in right-wing environmental discourse have been rare for the German-speaking region so far. The paper examines religious motifs and arguments in the new-right periodical Die Kehre representing the line of thought of the new-right discourse on ecology. 15 issues of the journal are analysed with the help of the structuring qualitative content analysis. The analysis aims to develop a first descriptive assessment of the significance of religion in the right-wing ecological discourse. Therefore, this paper is also critical to the thesis that religion contributes substantially to global climate justice.

Salafism and dialectics of Muslim identity in Nigeria and the Sahel

ABSTRACT Using examples from West Africa, this paper argues that Salafism has become modular. In interrelated trends, some Salafis have revised their postures towards other Muslims, while some non-Salafis selectively adopt elements of Salafism; both trends lead to forms of ‘post-Salafism’. The paper investigates three facets of these nascent ‘post-Salafi’ trends. First, Salafis have championed the hadith report as the main currency of evidence-giving in religious debate, but have lost ‘market share’ in the interpretation of hadith. Second, intellectuals trained in comparative jurisprudence can stake out an appealing middle ground between Salafism and traditionalism. Third, Salafis’ need for coalition partners in politics and society can blur the boundaries of Salafism, even to the point that some Salafis compromise on anti-Sufism, a core element of Salafism. Discussing Nigeria, Mauritania, and Mali, the paper highlights how local contextual factors have affected the construction of Muslim identity since the 1990s. These factors include democratic openings, exhaustion with Sufi-Salafi polemics, the appeal of Shi‘ism, and mass protests with religious colourations.

Gender Construction at Islamic Poor Community

This study focuses on studying gender construction in the Islamic community in Surabaya. This community is in Kampung Sidosermo Dalam, one of the Islamic area in Surabaya. In everyday social and cultural conditions, women always wear the hijab and men wear koko shirts and sarongs. Women are always constructed as the second social class below men. The social construction that is built is not only agreed upon by men, but women also agree on it. The motto that women live by every day is suwargo nunut neroko katut. That a woman's heaven and hell is with her husband. The aim of the research is to dismantle unfair gender constructions so that hopefully there will be enlightenment leading to correct gender constructions. The research method uses qualitative with a critical ethnographic approach. The data collection technique used in-depth interviews for 15 informant with Sidosermo Dalam figures, kyai, nyai, RT, RW, as well as women who agreed that they were always in the second class. Apart from that, researchers also used participant observation techniques to explore data. The research results show that women have always experienced oppression since childhood. Every day they receive different treatment from men. The doctrine that women are always subordinate to men has been taught to the population from generation to generation. The construction of suwargo nunut neroko katut becomes a guide for interaction. This social construction is built and maintained using religious arguments as legitimacy. This patriarchal and oppressive condition must be immediately changed and corrected by the government, mass organizations and citizens themselves.

Creation by Means of Loss and the Paradox of Expenditure—A Contribution of Theology to the Vulnerability Dispositive

This article argues that the COVID-19 pandemic has created a new dispositive of power, the vulnerability dispositive, and it clears up what a power dispositive is. It then explains what theology can contribute to this new dispositive. The paradox of expenditure (creation by means of loss) plays a special role here. Human vulnerability is an unprecedented power in personal and political life, social and cultural life, and not least in religion. It is therefore not surprising that it has become a key concept in international, interdisciplinary research in recent decades. At least since the 1980s, it has resulted in an enormous number of scientific publications in almost all scientific disciplines. For Christian theology, this has particular significance because of the doctrine of the Incarnation: when God becomes human in Jesus Christ, God risks being wounded. Christianity ascribes salvific significance to this path into vulnerability. But what significance does this have for interdisciplinary discourse beyond theology? What can theology contribute to interdisciplinary vulnerability research? The starting point for the following considerations is a specific point in vulnerability discourse: the new dispositive of vulnerability that emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic. It made vulnerability an important argument in social, political, and religious debates. The vulnerability paradox is particularly important in this context. This paradox holds that strategies designed to protect against certain dangers paradoxically intensify the damage if that damage nevertheless occurs. Theology can supplement this paradox, which is highly destructive, with a paradox that in turn promotes and strengthens life: the expenditure paradox that says that creation can occur by means of loss.

Anti- Judaic polemics in the Polish sixteenth- century printed books

The author analyzes the features and main directions of the discussion, within the framework of which the Jewish question arose in Polish printed texts throughout the 16th century. Both spiritual and secular authors of this period used religious logic, argumentation and motivation in the narratives of the studied works, which testifies not to the “anti-Jewish” or “anti-Semitic” (ethnogenetic) nature of the polemics, but to its anti-Judaic property. The image of the Jew is important for Polish literature of the Early Modern Period, and the Jewish question occupied a significant place, in particular, in the printed embodiment of this literature (the works of S. F. Klonowicz, M. Rej, P. Skarga, M. Bielski, etc.). However, printed texts that directly appealed to the Jewish readership with proselytizing purposes are quite few in number: the majority of anti-Judaic works published in the 16th century in the territory of the Polish Kingdom were not polemicized with Jews, but with opponents of another Christian confession (pamphlets of Catholics against Protestants, Lutherans and Calvinists against anti-Trinitarians, and so on; the exception is the discussion of M. Czechowicz with Jakub of Bełżyce). Such texts include the works of B. Herbest, J. Górski, W. Neothebel, Grzegorz Pawel of Brzeziny and others. Thus, the main expression of the Jewish question in the Polish press of the 16th century was the intra-Christian polemic, within which the appeal to Judaism either directly arose from the issue under discussion (such as the question of the relationship between the Old and New Testaments), or was used as a rhetorical device in criticizing the opponent.

Kobieta jako materia comica – polski ślad nowołacińskiej publicystyki z przełomu XVI i XVII wieku

This article addresses the issue of the use of female themes in Renaissance journalism with a religious argument. To exemplify the issue, several examples were selected from the New-Latin literature of Silesia during the formative period of the Reformation. The most obvious example of the use of female themes was a work (allegedly) proving that women are not human, which caused quite a stir in Europe. This treatise was attributed to Valens Acidalius, who, however, in letters to friends that are not widely known, points to a Polish trace of the dispute’s origins.

Split in bhakti, United in bhakti

Jaimini’s Book of the Horse Sacrifice (Jaiminīya Āśvamēdhikaparvan) is a late mediaeval Vaiṣṇava text that is unusual for several reasons. In this article we examine the interplay of violence, devotion and ritual in the Sanskrit vorlage and its Kannada transfiguration—the Jaiminibhārata of Lakṣmīśa (ca. 1500 CE). Violent emotions or extreme feelings are deeply imbricated in South Asia religious discourse. Extreme feeling is entangled with the history of texts that emerged as a result of interreligious and intra- religious debate. Our article puts forth the idea of violence as a mode of bhakti devotion, and we historicize the emergence of violence-as-bhakti in the Vaiṣṇava context, using the tale of Mayūradhvaja from Jaimini’s Book.

On Becoming Human and Being Humane: Human Rights, Women’s Rights, Species Rights

This essay focuses on the nexus of vulnerability and rights. It argues that in transforming vulnerability from a stigma that alienated women from their humanity to the signature of human dignity, women bridged the gap between the liberatory promise of human rights and its exploitative patriarchal politics. It finds that the ideas of Mary Wollstonecraft, Simone de Beauvoir, Drucilla Cornell, and Jean-Luc Nancy were/are crucial to this transformed idea of dignity. Religious ideas have played a complex role in this transformation. Wollstonecraft appealed to theological ideas of the soul to contest men’s claims that the Bible enshrined women’s subordination to men. Current abortion politics in the U.S., and the Iranian women’s Women, Life, Freedom rebellion continue to show how sacred texts have been used to defend and reject women’s demands for rights. Religious and secular arguments for the dignity of vulnerability, used by feminists to re-write the sexual difference, direct us to rethink our exploitative relationship to the earth and the multiple species it harbors. As we take up the task of confronting the environmental crisis of our times, they call on us to see ourselves as stewards of the earth’s bounty who are morally obliged to create humane relationships with our other-than-human neighbors.

The Father of the School Choice Movement

ABSTRACT Milton Friedman is widely considered the intellectual father of the school choice movement. While Friedman deserves much credit, Father Virgil Blum stands out as an influential figure in the nascent school choice movement. Using archival research, this paper examines Blum’s contributions to the movement. From his 1954 doctoral dissertation, which made the legal case for funding religious schools, to his 1958 book, Freedom of Choice in Education, and his decades-long career as a professor, Blum was a tireless advocate for educational freedom. While Friedman made the market argument, Blum made the legal, moral, and religious freedom arguments for school choice.

CONTEMPORARY APPROACHES TO RESEARCHING POLEMICS AND POLEMIC DISCOURSE

The article is dedicated to identifying the approaches to researching polemic discourse and the general idea of polemics. The concept of "polemic" is explored through linguistic and cultural lenses, considering its definitions in both English and Russian. While in English, it is primarily understood as a form of written argumentation, in Russian, it encompasses a broader range of communicative situations, including debates and discussions. The historical evolution of polemic writing is examined, tracing its origins to religious debates during the Middle Ages. Early polemics were characterized by aggressive language and one-sided arguments, often lacking consideration for opposing viewpoints. Translation played a significant role in shaping these debates, as linguistic barriers hindered mutual understanding. Despite changes over time, modern polemic writing continues to be subjective and aggressive, although contemporary examples often incorporate irony, satire, and grotesque elements. The scientific novelty of this article lies in the fact of addressing polemic discourse from different angles, considering the cultural implications which may influence the dichotomy in researching this study object. Theoretical analysis, comparison, and contrast methods are employed toreview the body of research related to polemics, providing insights into its complexity and evolving nature. The practical significance of the research results lies in their contribution to the understanding of polemic discourse, which has implications for communication strategies and cross-cultural communication.

The Emergence and Main Trends in the Activities of the Imperial Orthodox Palestine Society in the Sphere of Organizing Pilgrimages (1882-1905)

The article considers the problem of the emergence and main trends of the pilgrimage activity of the Imperial Orthodox Palestinian Society in 1882-1905. It is established that during this period there was an actualization of the Eastern issue and increased competition between the leading states in the Middle East, who covered their geopolitical goals with religious arguments. This posed an imperative for the Russian Empire, a world power that traditionally defended Orthodoxy in the Holy Land and had its own interests in the region, to respond. After the Crimean War, the idea of forming a sphere of Russian presence in Palestine was put forward at the state level. There has been an increase in Russia's diplomatic and spiritual influence in the Holy Land, which has manifested itself in the functioning of a number of relevant representative offices here, the creation of infrastructure and the activation of the Orthodox pilgrimage movement. Subsequently, in order to systematize and increase the effectiveness of efforts, the Imperial Orthodox Palestinian Society was founded, an organization with a special status, state and church support, which became the main coordinator of the humanitarian presence of the Russian Empire in the Middle East region. The methodological basis of the research is the synthesis of systemic and geopolitical campaigns, the expediency of which interaction is justified by modern trends in the development of the methodology of social sciences and humanities. This led to the use of research methods. The historical and genetic method made it possible to study the peculiarities of origin, establishing appropriate cause-and-effect relationships. The application of the institutional method helped to determine the importance of various institutions in the process of functioning of Society. Based on the analysis of a wide source base and numerous studies, it was revealed that during the period under review, along with charity, education, scientific and publishing activities aimed at maintaining and developing Orthodoxy in Palestine, one of the main tasks of the Society was the organization of a Russian pilgrimage to the Holy Land. It was characterized by the following manifestations: dissemination of information about pilgrimage trips; reduction of tariffs for participants of pilgrimage trips; establishment of transport links between Russia and Palestine; publication of relevant auxiliary, educational and scientific literature; acquisition of new land plots in the region; repair of existing and construction of new infrastructure and religious buildings in Palestine; systematization and improvement of pilgrimage routes; conducting special educational events by the Society.

BLASPHEMY LEGISLATION IN INDIA: SPOTLIGHT ON PUNJAB'S NEW LAW AND ITS IMPLICATIONS

This article delves into the contentious issue of blasphemy and the specific context of blasphemy laws in India, with a focus on the introduction of such legislation in Punjab, a state in northern India. Blasphemy, defined as the act of showing contempt or disrespect towards religious beliefs or sacred objects, has long been a sensitive subject with implications for religious freedom and social harmony. The article examines the historical and legal background of blasphemy laws in India, highlighting the recent development of Punjab becoming the first state in India to enact its own blasphemy legislation. Through an analysis of the Punjab blasphemy law, the article explores the provisions, controversies, and potential ramifications of such legislation on freedom of expression, religious tolerance, and communal harmony. It also considers the various perspectives surrounding blasphemy laws, including arguments for their necessity in protecting religious sentiments and arguments against them, emphasizing the potential for misuse and stifling of dissent.

The New Civil Religion

Social scientific studies find that religion plays a limited role in shaping Americans’ climate attitudes. I argue that a major type of religiosity has been missed: that which is expressed in conservative media. This religiosity is not associated with religious institutions but rather takes the form of civil religion. Because the US is now religiously polarized, today’s civil religion differs from what Bellah identified in 1967: rather than serving to unify the entire country, it serves to unify the political right, setting it against what is constructed as the secular left. I show how the religious discourse Rush Limbaugh employed on his radio broadcasts exemplifies this new civil religion, and further, that he used civil religious arguments to denigrate climate action. The new civil religiosity on the right, sometimes called Christian nationalism, reduces support for climate legislation by portraying a powerful federal government as a threat to religious liberty.

Engaging in a Secularized Public Sphere – a Possible Qur’anic Perspective?

Abstract For Habermas, social cohesion in liberal democratic societies is created and ensured by public discourse, which creates and regulates democratic virtues through non-hierarchical communication in which all citizens participate equally. According to the understanding of post-secularism, this public discourse must be secular. This requires religious citizens to translate religious arguments into secular ones in public discourse. However, it remains an open question to what extent religious citizens in plural societies can or want to participate in such a communication process based on their religious self-understanding. In this article, an attempt will be made to investigate this question, at least within the Islamic faith tradition. A Qur’anic narrative will be examined for possible indications of how the Qur’an conceives communication with those of different worldviews. The analyzed narrative reveals perspectives of understanding from which remarkable contributions to social cohesion can be derived.

Revisiting Wise “Barbarians” in the Hellenistic Era

ABSTRACT: The overriding sense of civilizational superiority among Greeks was encapsulated most potently in the concept of the “barbarian,” an uneducated foreigner who could do nothing more than babble nonsense, let alone contribute to civilization. The strong distinction between Greeks and barbarians was not always perfectly dichotomous, however, as seen in the wise barbarian theme that scholarship has long tracked, particularly in connection with ethnographic works and, in the Roman era, philosophical and religious debates. Taking a decolonizing approach that also moves beyond the problematic modern categories of “philosophy” and “religion,” this article explores the wise barbarian as part of a more widespread set of ethnic discourses in the period after Herodotus (ca. 420 bce) and before Poseidonios of Apameia (ca. 50 bce). I argue that these discourses were employed not only among Greeks such as Ephoros of Kyme (ca. 350 bce), but also among subject peoples themselves, as in Bel-re’ushu (Berossos) of Babylon (ca. 300 bce), long before the Stoic Poseidonios developed his theory of primitive wisdom in the first century bce. These multivalent discourses provide important insights into ethnic relations in and around the Hellenistic era as those belonging to both hegemonic and conquered populations engaged in different strategies in order to navigate their places within an expanding world.

Harnessing Religious Arguments for The Benefit of Trans Advocacy: A New Approach

Harnessing Religious Arguments for The Benefit of Trans Advocacy: A New Approach

The Habermasian Translation Proviso of Religious Content

Habermas’s translation proviso aims to legitimize religious argumentation in the informal part of the public sphere while requiring religious citizens to express their arguments in the formal part of the public sphere using a universal (secular) language. By considering secular scholars Gonzalo Scivoletto’s and Javier Aguirre’s critiques of the meaning of “translation,” this article highlights the inconsistency of the proviso as manifested in its application to the religious concept of tzimtzum (“divine contraction”), from which Habermas attempts to extract a secular worldview and moral intuitions that contradict the beliefs of religious citizens, thus undermining the reassessment of religion in the public sphere.

A Critical Sociolinguistic Approach to Atheism in American Religious Debates

A Critical Sociolinguistic Approach to Atheism in American Religious Debates