Clifford Geertz said it first (riffing on Ryle): the difference between twitches and winks could only be accomplished by "sorting…
A speck, a fleck, and—voila!—a governor
Religion and the 2008 election
During the campaigning leading up to the 2008 election, scholars reflect on the role of religion in American politics.
Presidential drinking games, and other secular devotions
I watched the last presidential debate in a crowded Manhattan restaurant with large-screen TVs and surround sound. By the end…
History as guide
Yesterday's presidential election in the United States and the 10th anniversary of the U.S. International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA) last…
Changing of the guard
In the wake of the presidential election, who now speaks for American evangelicals?
The magic ballot
I regret that we are forced to catch the special aura of this election without a deep and serious space…
An internationalist president
In the Muslim world, as in Europe and much of the world, Obama is welcomed as an internationalist president.
A public theologian
Americans have elected the most theologically astute president since Jimmy Carter.
Magic, comedy and civic religion
Barack Obama's victory needs to be recognized and celebrated---not simply recognized for the fact that he won, but recognized by…
Post-election roundups & more
In conjunction with recent post-election reflections at The Immanent Frame by Howard Adelman, Arjun Appadurai, John Esposito, Conrad Hackett, D.…
The cooling embers
Politics is not reducible to elections, of course. Yet these contests---particularly the quadrennial spectacle that is a Presidential race---usually conclude…