About Abu Nuwas, Muslim queer poet.

Study finds that the interaction of Western personnel and concepts with Pashtun culture is causing something of a sexual identity crisis:
The U.S. army medic also told members of the research unit that she and her colleagues had to explain to a local man how to get his wife pregnant ( Read more... )

Guardian readers rate the 50 best TV series ever (seen on British TV).

Google™ seems to have some issues about ‘Islam’ searches.

A 90 year old Canadian history magazine is changing its name.

Nice video of where the NYT is read around the world during a particular day.

This review makes Daybreakers sound like lots of fun. (As one comment says “A ( Read more... )

About the book The Multiple Identities of the Middle East.

It is hard not to warm to a book with statements such as:
But the war-god of the terrorists knows neither mercy nor compassion, and projects an image that is both cruel and vindictive. He is also weak, needing to hire human hitmen to find and kill his enemies, and paying them with promises ( Read more... )

Benny Bowers on Bible-based marriage.

Having fun with the risqué bits in the Bible:
Not even the most devout can afford to interpret the Bible too literally-selective reading is inevitable. Yet many people still think that without the Bible (and religion in general), we’d all be morally adrift in a sea of licentious barbarism. Judging from many a ( Read more... )

Nice TED talk on how basic religious beliefs affect business (and other) practices.

A website on how gays and lesbians can be good Christians.

Poll finds that American liberals are far more likely to believe they are in touch with the dead, in ghosts, in fortune tellers, reincarnation, yoga, spiritual energy and astrology than American ( Read more... )

From Friday evening to Sunday afternoon, went to three films and a talk in the Buddhist Film Festival held at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) in their Fed. Square facilities.

Friday afternoon, started with the Festval's opening film, The Dhamma Brothers, a fascinating look at the introduction of Vipassana meditation into a ( Read more... )

Photo of his ID papers suggests the President of Iran may have been born Jewish. Or maybe not. Pity, it made such a great story.

About what is wrong with blasphemy laws.

The Catholic Church gameplaying the Anglican Church over women bishops. More. The Catholic Primate in England is keen. Suggesting that the Archbishop of Canterbury is too much ( Read more... )

A large survey of women rates Germans as the worst lovers (too smelly), Brits next (too lazy) and Swedes third (too quick to finish). Spanish men came first, Brazilians second, Italians third while (the really important bit) Aussies beat Kiwis.

Scott Adams (of Dilbert™ fame) on why China is doomed.

About the T’ang EmpireReview of a new book in ( Read more... )

A religious discrimination case in the UK:
Daniel Jones, founder of the religion inspired by the Star Wars films, says he was humiliated and victimised for his beliefs following the incident at a Tesco store in Bangor ( Read more... )

A review by philosopher Simon Blackburn of Karen Armstrong’s book on religious practice.

About the naturalness of religious belief.

About evolution and religion: and followers of Darwin not following Darwin’s example.

Pictures of the largest active Hindu temple outside India.

Nice use of the Bhavagad Gita.

On the continuing appeal of John ( Read more... )