Religious Consequences Research Articles

Pericles tirano. Aproximación a la gestión de la crisis sanitaria durante la epidemia de Atenas (430-426 a.C.)

Abstract Tyrant Pericles. Approach to the management of the health crisis during the plague of Athens (430-426 BC) The aim of this paper is to analyse the political and religious consequences of the Athenian plague of 430 BC. Regarding the political aspects, the work is focused on the popular judgement on the epidemic’s management and the consequent Pericles’ loss of political prestige. Moreover, the paper concludes that this popular response leads to the adoption of religious measures such as the introduction in Athens of Asclepius’ cult (421 BC). The facts mentioned above provide an alternative point of view of Thucydides’ epidemic main account.

Written Remains: Materiality and the Religious Heritage Complex of the Jewish Portuguese Past

Hebraic written stones represent the primary surviving physical testimony to the Jewish past in Portugal, apart from a Medieval synagogue in the city of Tomar. As it is true for other religious objects, medieval Hebraic epigraphic stones have become a heritage asset, opening the way to specific recognition of the Jewish materiality of Portugal. Long after the forced conversion of Portuguese Jews to Catholicism or their exodus, a few epigraphic testimonials were collected, maintained, and displayed. A group of 20th century Jewish and non-Jewish amateur archaeologists and historians assembled manuscripts, books and stones and attempted to establish a museum in the medieval synagogue of Tomar. They dedicated themselves to the study and preservation of this written religious legacy and proposed to focus on the letter as the principal material heritage to represent the Portuguese Jewish past. Drawing on the concept of religious heritage complex, this article describes how letters, as material remains, lead to the cultural renewal of a religious minority’s past. The study also sheds light on the cultural and religious consequences of this attention to letters on the heritage-making process itself. Through a combination of archival study, ethnographic fieldwork and comparison, the study sought to better understand the late destiny of the written remains of Judaism in Portugal.

The Risk of Breakthrough Bleeding Justifies the Use of Combined Hormonal Contraception Over Progesterone-Only Pills While Breastfeeding.

Breakthrough bleeding is a side effect of progesterone-only pills (POPs) in 40% of women, and is reduced to 10% with combined hormonal contraceptives (CHCs). In addition, breakthrough bleeding is reduced if POP is supplemented with norethisterone. As breakthrough bleeding is responsible for a quarter of women stopping the pill, it is vital to realize that CHC is an alternative to POP-even during lactation. CHCs are considered safe during lactation, do not reduce milk production, nor impede infant development. Nevertheless, CHCs are often not prescribed for lactating mothers due to this misconception that they reduce milk production. Among Orthodox Jews, breakthrough bleeding frequently results in stopping POP, as Jewish religious law prohibits any physical contact of the mother with her partner during active bleeding, and for 7 days after bleeding. When such bleeding occurs, not choosing a CHC alternative, results in couples risking discontinuation of POP, and in conceiving within a year of the previous birth, with its increased risk of preterm labor and birth defects. To measure how physicians respond to the presumed dilemma of balancing the risk of breakthrough bleeding versus the concern of reduction of milk production, we conducted a preliminary online survey. Physicians were asked if they would prescribe CHC instead of POP to breastfeeding mothers, 3 months postpartum with breakthrough bleeding. Half of the physicians responded they would prescribe CHC, whereas close to half of the physicians responded that they would not. The main reasons given by the respondents for avoiding CHC was a concern regarding possible milk reduction. These results confirm a significant degree of a lack of updated pharmacological information regarding the options of oral contraceptive use for lactating mothers, particularly for those where breakthrough bleeding has major behavioral and religious consequences. Thus, we contend that the risk of breakthrough bleeding justifies the more routine use of CHC in lieu of POP in lactating mothers.

Joseph Smith for President: The Prophet, the Assassins, and the Fight for American Religious Freedom

Joseph Smith for President: The Prophet, the Assassins, and the Fight for American Religious Freedom

The religious implications of being sexually abused by a rabbi: Qualitative research among Israeli religious men

BackgroundClergy perpetrated sexual abuse (CPSA) is a widespread phenomenon, with many consequences for the victims. To the best of our knowledge, no research has focused on the religious consequences for Israeli Jewish religious men who were sexually abused by rabbis in their adolescence or emerging adulthood. ObjectiveTo describe the implications of CPSA for the religious faith, practice, and attitude towards rabbis among sexually abused Israeli religious men. MethodsBased on a constructivist-phenomenological paradigm, semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with eight formerly and/or currently still religious men who had been abused by rabbis. ResultsThree main themes regarding religious consequences, emerged from the findings: the impact of CPSA on the religiosity of the victims; the effect of being sexually abused by a rabbi on victims' attitudes toward other rabbis; and the process of finding a new rabbi after the abuse. ConclusionsThis preliminary study opens a window onto the complex nature of this type of sexual abuse and its religious consequences. The unique findings regarding the range of religious implications are not consistent with previous studies about Christian victims. These findings contribute to the understanding of this distinctive form of abuse, for establishing intervention techniques that will assist the victims and for additional research.

La crise des années 1980 et le maraboutage en Côte d’Ivoire

Abstract The growth of marabouts’ divinatory practices in urban centres in Côte d’Ivoire from the 1980s onwards was due to the generational crisis among marabouts and the unemployment of many graduates from universities in the Arab Maghreb. Forced to earn money linked to the difficulties of urban city life, some marabouts replaced the traditional community support with a mandatory fee, so that we witnessed the professionalisation of maraboutage. Professional marabouts mingled with other practitioners of the occult, causing repeated scandals. In response, the Ivorian state took measures to control the activities of “fake” marabouts. This study focuses on the political, economic and religious consequences for the image and the position of marabouts in the postcolony. It is based on the use of press clippings, bibliographic data and oral sources.

Reversing the Causal Arrow: Politics' Influence on Religious Choices

Decades of research has explored the political consequences of religious identities, practices, and beliefs. This article describes new research that has reversed the causal arrow to look at the religious consequences of partisanship and political outlooks. The first part of the article describes the current religious‐political landscape, in which religious Americans are more likely to be Republicans and less religious Americans are more likely to be Democrats. The article then goes on to introduce key theories and findings explaining how politics helped produce this religiosity gap. After discussing avenues for future research in this area, the article switches gears to describe other ways politics can shape religious choices, including pushing evangelical Republicans out of churches and encouraging short‐term fluctuations in religious engagement. The article concludes with a brief discussion of how the study of religion and politics is fundamentally different on account of politics' ability to both shape and be shaped by religion.

SHOULD WE ABOLISH THE DELICT OF SEDUCTION IN CUSTOMARY LAW: QUO VADIS SOUTH AFRICA?

This note investigates whether or not the time is ripe for South Africa to abolish the delict of seduction. The legislature has not yet abolished the delict of seduction in customary law. In addition, there are a growing number of academic commentators who are in full support of Bohler-Muller’s recommendation for the abolition of the delict of seduction in customary law. In investigating whether it is ripe for South Africa to abolish the delict of seduction under customary law, the first part of the note discusses the existing problems in customary law governing the delict of seduction. The second part discusses four challenges that might be created by its abolition under the following sub-topics, namely (a) social advantages for prohibiting pre-marital sexual intercourse; (b) religious consequences of pre-marital sexual intercourse and advantages for discouraging pre-marital sexual intercourse; (c) the link between the delict of seduction under customary law and the payment of lobolo; and (d) the relationship between the customary law delict of seduction and the value of gender equality. The third part of the note discusses the possible solutions to the problems.

Armed Conflict and Religious Adherence Across Countries: A Time Series Analysis

AbstractA fundamental question in the comparative sociology of religion is: What are the drivers of cross-national differences in religiosity? The existential insecurity argument raises the expectation of higher levels of religiosity in contexts of social crisis. We test this argument against countries’ armed conflict experiences, employing global longitudinal data on religious adherence over almost half a century. We did not find evidence of religious revival when measuring the consequences of armed conflict with a 5-year lag, indicating that armed conflict-related social crises do not tend to lead to sudden changes in the religious adherence of a country. However, we did find more consistent indications of a higher proportion of religious people when using accumulated measurements of armed conflict, highlighting the importance of investigating the armed conflict history of a country when assessing its religious consequences. Our results show that countries with a more devastating experience of armed conflict tend to present higher proportions of religious adherence in comparison with countries with a less devastating armed conflict history. We concluded that armed conflict tends to partially drive religious persistence in societies that have experienced it, and that the pace at which this takes place is gradual rather than immediate.

The topography of Hermione—A preliminary outline

The preliminary results of a survey of ancient Hermione (epichoric Hermion) are presented in this paper. The survey was conducted during three short campaigns over the period 2015–2017, and focused on the urban layout and development of the ancient city. Because the ancient city area more or less coincides with modern Ermioni, the investigation was mainly restricted to the documentation and analysis of architectural remains that were both still visible above ground and accessible. However, the report also includes a thorough re-evaluation of previous scholarship, taking into consideration remains that are no longer visible. The author identifies three questions of particular interest, relating to the exact location, extent, and potential relocation of the ancient city, and points to the lack of a coherent interpretation. On the basis of present data, the author proposes that Hermione was indeed relocated to a new site, less than 1 km away from its original position, in the early 3rd century BC, and highlights the urban, social, and religious consequences of such an event. However, pending further evidence, the suggested scenario remains a hypothesis.

Catherine of Siena’s crusade letters: Spirituality and political context

AbstractCatherine of Siena has been credited with original views regarding the crusade as political policy and with influencing Gregory XI to carry this out. In this article, I argued that while Catherine of Siena did not succeed in furthering the crusade – nor did she initiate this policy – her crusade correspondence leaves us a legacy that reveals significant aspects of her spirituality. Over 40 letters to ecclesiastical authorities, Kings, Queens, leaders of city states, knights and her own followers reveal a religious intent, although addressing a policy with both religious and political consequences. The latter were important to Catherine because she considered political-cultural context vital for salvation and transformation; she advocated for the crusade because she considered that the crusade pilgrimage and holy war to recover the Holy Land would be critical for the salvation of many. Her epistles further witness to the prophetic, missionary nature of Catherine’s spirituality, and we see how she crafted her own version of crusade spirituality out of the wisdom on transformation learned through her union with God, fused with early Christian martyr spirituality and early crusade spirituality preached in medieval Europe. This thematisation of Catherine’s crusade letters is based on textual analysis of all crusade related letters in the 2002 critical text, on the most complete dating of Catherine’s letters (finished in 2008); and in dialogue with literary and other historical advances, making it an innovative study.Contribution: Catherine of Siena’s crusade letters reveal significant aspects of her spirituality rather than contributions to crusade politics. The letters evidence her prophetic-missionary spirituality and her conviction that socio-political context is significant for a journey of transformation; as well, this analysis details the importance of early Christian martyr spirituality for Catherine’s crusade spirituality.

"Celebrating old age": an obsolete expression during the COVID-19 pandemic? Medical, social, psychological, and religious consequences of home isolation and loneliness among the elderly.

Since epidemiological arguments favouring self-isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic are widely recommended, the consequences of social isolation/loneliness of older people considered to be at higher risk for severe illness are neglected. We identified and described medical, social, psychological, and religious issues, indirectly generated by the COVID-19 lockdown. Mortality induced by SARS-CoV-2 and death from other “neglected” issues were put in balance. Arguments for strict lockdown from most European countries are compared with a relaxed approach, as has been applied in Sweden. Social isolation affects disproportionally the elderly, transforming it into a public health concern. One witnesses openly ageist discourse, while painful decisions to prioritising ventilation for younger patients deepens the sense of hopelessness. Fear has led to anxiety disorders and depression. Various religious practices provide resources for coping with isolation/overcoming loneliness. Higher levels of mortality/morbidity due to “COVID-19 versus non-COVID-19” polarisation oblige the healthcare community to find ways to provide proper care for its elders.

Covid 19 Pandemic: Redefining National Security and Health Policy

The covid19 pandemic is a global health crisis of unprecedented scale and has forced the governments, policy makers and international organizations to redefine and rethink the paradigms of national security and its relationship with health policy. With approximately 1739007 confirmed cases world wide and 108432 conformed death from this disease covid19 has effectively transcended the traditional conventions on national sovereignty, borders, security and International law. From Wuhan china the disease has spread to 213 countries and territories and has involved all continents except Antarctica. Most of the countries and societies affected with covid19 have seen lock downs, travel restrictions, economic stagnation, curfews, closed businesses and schools practically disrupting normal life, weakening political and economic systems and threatening the society in general. The broad social, political, economic and religious consequences of this pandemic makes it imperative that countries especially developing countries like Pakistan rethink their national security policy and incorporate health security as an essential component of its national security doctrine.

Spirituality and Health in Pandemic Times: Lessons from the Ancient Wisdom

The goal of this paper is to analyze how the historical episode of the so-called Plague of Athens between the years 430 and 426 BC seems to have been the first phenomenon classified as an epidemic by Hippocrates, and the historian Thucydides described its cultural, social, political and religious consequences. However, such a crisis generated the need for a new culture, and consequently a new theological mentality, as a cultural driver that made it possible to transform the Asclepiad Sanctuary of Kos into the first hospital in the West to integrate spirituality and science as ways to promote the healing of culture in order to achieve the ideal of health. The adopted method was a semantic analysis of the classic texts that help contextualize the Hippocratic view of the epidemic, spirituality, and health, and how these questions were received by Christianity at the time. The reception of this experience by Christianity, despite suffering some tension, also expands this Greek ideal and constitutes a true heritage of ancient wisdom that can be revisited in the time of the new pandemic, COVID-19. The perspective assumed here is interdisciplinary, putting in dialogue Theology and Health Sciences.

Flesh ID: Nanopore Sequencing Combined with Offline BLAST Search for the Identification of Meat Source.

Detection of animal species in meat product is crucial to prevent adulterated and unnecessary contamination during processing, in addition to avoid allergy and religious consequences. Gold standard is the real-time PCR assays, which has a limited target capability. In this study, we have established a rapid sequencing protocol to identify animal species within hours. Sequencing was achieved by nanopore sequencing and data analysis via offline BLAST search. The whole procedure was conducted in a mobile suitcase lab. As per national and international regulations, the developed assay detected adulteration of pork meat with 0.1% of horse, chicken, turkey, cattle, sheep, duck, rabbit, goat, and donkey. The developed test could be used on-site as a rapid and mobile detection system to determine contamination of meat products.

FROM MYSTICAL QUEST TO POLITICAL MOVEMENT: A LACANIAN ANALYSIS OF SHIA ISLAM

ABSTRACT: After the Occultation, the moment when the shiites’ messiah disappeared, Shiism broke into two tendencies: the traditional-quietist and the rationalist-political. These two tendencies coexisted for centuries; only quite recently has their balance tilted towards the rationalist-political side, which brought about (principally) the Khomeini revolution in Iran. This article seeks to explore the mode of the social ties in Shia Islam from a psychoanalytic perspective, in terms of its original mystical practices as well as of the political and religious consequences of the decline of traditionalist discourse and the political emergence of “jurist-theologian” with its corollary, the Adversary.

Religious consequences of prediction of the time of Messiah’s arrival in Islam

This article is dedicated to the phenomenon of prediction of time of Messiah’s arrival in Islam. This phenomenon led to a range of consequences in the Islamic societies, which can be divided into several categories of sociopolitical and religious nature. The goal of this research consists in examination and analysis of religious consequences caused by prediction of the date of arrival of the Savior in Islam. The relevance of this work is substantiated by the fact that the theme of belief in the Savior has always been of utmost importance and dynamically present in the Islamic tradition; currently it stirs even greater interest. The scientific novelty consists in making emphasis on the consequences of prediction of time of the arrival of Mahdi, as well as comprehensive inductive conclusion and application of historical approach to the topic. The research results demonstrate that prediction of the date of Savior’s arrival in Islam had such consequences, as appearance of false messiahs, establishment of new religious sects, theological disputes, spread of despair among those who expect arrival of the Savior. It cannot be regarded that predictions equally contributed to the emergence of each of the aforementioned consequences, but their role is reflected in a range of the key, favorable or complementing factors. However, the fact of their impact is beyond the question.

Legal framework for religious activity in post-Soviet Kazakhstan: from liberal to prohibitive approaches

Abstract Religious activity is a very sensitive area of government regulation in Kazakhstan. After some post-soviet years of liberalization, the government has decided to return to soviet-style relations with a large amount of attention on the control and supervision of religious areas. The Law ‘On Religious Activity and Religious Associations’ adopted in 2011 was the result of such a decision. This article analyses the legal framework for religious activity, the model of relations between state and religious associations in modern Kazakhstan, the public attitude towards regulation in the religious field, the legal and social consequences of the adoption of current law, as well as the problems of its implementation and the government’s administration of religious activity in Kazakhstan. The author reaches the conclusion that more liberal legislation and law-enforcement practice is unlikely without changes in the political system, the public attitude towards religion and views on secularity.

Pembinaan Keagamaan Siswa-Siswi Sekolah Menengah Atas melalui Rohani Islam (Rohis) di Kota Samarinda dan Balikpapan

The aim of this paper is to explain the concept of religious mentoring by Rohani Islam (Rohis) in planting Islamic religious values to high school students in Samarinda and Balikpapan. This research applies qualitative technique in analyzing data collected trhough in-depth interviews, documentations, and observations. Findings of this research reveal that Rohis’ programs pertaining to increasing the students’ observance of religion (Islam) are based on routine schedule such as daily, weekly, monthly, and annual programs. All of Rohis’ programs represent the implementation of five aspects of religious dimensions; faith, religious practices, religious experiences, religious consequences, and religious knowledge. Rohis’ programs of religious mentoring to high schools students can be categorised into Dakwah Ammah (general proselytizing) and Dakwah Khashshah (special proselytizing). Keywords: Dakwah ammah and khashshah, Rohis, and students religious mentoring

RETRACTED: Routine parental request of organ donation in end-of-life care of children in the United Kingdom: Unresolved medical, legal, cultural and religious challenges.

The opt-out system (or presumed consent) for end-of-life organ donation is being widely adopted in the United Kingdom. Since presumed consent for organ donation applies only to adults, commentators have recommended the implementation of routine parental request and integration of organ donation in the end-of-life care of children to increase the donor pool and the supply of transplantable organs. The empirical data for this recommendation originated from a survey of parents of deceased children with severe congenital and acquired brain injuries. The demographics of the surveyed parents were not representative of the diverse ethnic and religious affiliations of British society. Here, it is argued that there are unresolved medical, legal, cultural and religious challenges to the routine integration of end-of-life organ donation that can result in harmful consequences for children and parents. To address these challenges: (1) paediatric practice guidelines should be updated to incorporate new advances in the diagnosis and the treatment of severe brain injuries to eliminate potential clinical errors from premature treatment discontinuation and/or incorrect diagnosis of brain(stem) death and (2) a broad societal debate on the legal, cultural and religious consequences of routine integration of end-of-life organ donation in children.