Religious Issues

In-depth study of religion is concerned with the most fundamental values and the deepest value conflicts of human individuals and communities. The program's distinguished faculty is drawn from many different disciplines, helping students broaden their cultural horizons and increase their knowledge and experience of global human diversity. Areas of faculty expertise include Christiantiy, Islam, East Asian religions, Hinduism, and Jewish studies.

Faculty Experts:

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Hillel J. Kieval Chair of history and the Gloria M. Goldstein Professor of Jewish History and Thought in Arts & Sciences Professor Kieval's work focuses on transformations in Jewish culture and society in East Central Europe (Austria-Hungary, Germany and Poland) from the Enlightenment to the Second World War; more specifically, on the effects of modernization projects, ethnic and national struggles, social conflict, ... Expertise: Jewish culture in East Central Europe, antisemitism on Jewish life, Jewish-Gentile relations, linguistic, cultural and communal affiliations among Jews, Jewish society in Bohemia, Jewish experience in Czech lands, … Direct contact: 314-935-5426 / hkieval@wustl.edu

Rebecca Lester Assistant Professor of Sociocultural Anthropology in Arts and Sciences Rebecca Lester Download Lester's research focuses on medical anthropology, gender, embodiment, religion and ritual, psychological anthropology and cross-cultural psychiatry. Linking these issues at various points is her focus on gender, self and the body. She has recently completed her first book (based on her dissertation ... Expertise: medical anthropology, gender embodiment, religion and ritual, psychological anthropology, cross-cultural psychiatry, Mexico, United States Direct contact: (314) 935-9426 / rjlester@wustl.edu

Stephanie Boddie Assistant Professor of Social Work Stephanie Boddie Download Stephanie C. Boddie's research and writing focuses on national and international social policy and planning, faith-based community economic development, nonprofit management, and social service and health care access. She is the co-principal investigator of a citywide study of congregations and their ... Expertise: faith communities, religion, welfare, health care, community development, national and international social policy and planning, faith-based community economic development, … Direct contact: (314) 935-9449 / sboddie@gwbmail.wustl.edu

David A. Lawton Professor and Chair of English in Arts & Sciences David Lawton Download David Lawton has published five books and many articles in English literary and cultural studies and in medieval studies. He is currently preparing editions of Chaucer's poetry and prose, and completing a book on voice and space in medieval literature. He is founding co-editor of a major journal, ... Expertise: Medieval literatures, Medieval culture, Chaucer, literary history, literary theory, poetics, The Bible, … Direct contact: (314) 935-5114 / dalawton@wustl.edu

Beata Grant Professor of Chinese and Religious Studies Beata Grant Download Grant teaches a broad range of courses in literature and religious studies, including Introduction to Buddhism and Introduction to Asian Religions. Her writings include a long study of the Woman Huang story-cycle, Mount Lu Revisited: Buddhism in the Life and Writings of Su Shih, and several articles ... Expertise: Chinese religion and literature, Pre-modern Chinese women's literature and culture, Buddhism Direct contact: (314) 935-5156 / bgrant@wustl.edu

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News Stories & Tip Sheets:

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The vitality of Iranian life "Jasmine and Stars: Reading More than Lolita in Tehran" Feb. 1, 2008 -- Courtesy photo Fatemeh Keshavarz In her most recent book, "Jasmine and Stars," Keshavarz blends personal memoir with literary analysis and social commentary to break pervasive Western stereotypes of Iranians.

Faith in Schools? Government should pay for religious schools, regulate what is taught, argues new book. Dec. 17, 2007 -- "Faith in Schools?" is focus of new book by WUSTL's Ian MacMullen. Arguing that democratic principles do not support a strict separation of church and state in educational policy, a new book contends that government has both the responsibility to pay for religious schools and the right to regulate what's taught within them.

British scholar Janet Browne explores Darwin British scholar Janet Browne explores Charles Darwin and the economy of nature for the Assembly Series Nov. 5, 2007 -- British historian of science Janet Browne continues to explore Darwin's evolutionary idea.

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Related News Clips:

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Show More Religious Issues Clips

The Vatican on Muslims and Jews U.S. News & World Report online April 30, 2008 -- Article looks at how Pope Benedict XVI is trying to mend fences within the church, with other churches, and with Muslims and Jews. WUSTL religious studies professor Frank Flinn comments.

Missouri vote signals complex national mood Chicago Tribune Feb. 7, 2008 -- Missouri has an uncanny ability to choose presidential winners, going with the loser only once in the past century (Adlai Stevenson in 1956). The state is effectively an intersection of cultural forces — urban and rural, north and south, east and west — and it periodically swings with prevailing national moods. WUSTL American culture studies director Wayne Fields comments.

The New Theology Chicago Tribune magazine Jan. 22, 2008 -- The Chicago Tribune magazine story on the conflict between Darwin and theology. Ursula Goodenough professor of biology comments on the conflict.

Huckabee oratory deemed 'low-key,' Obama's classic The Boston Globe Jan. 7, 2008 -- WUSTL political rhetoric specialist Wayne Fields is one of the experts commenting on victory speeches following the Iowa presidential caucuses.

Evolution Book Sees No Science-Religion Gap The New York Times and 6 others Jan. 4, 2008 -- In 1984 and again in 1999, the National Academy of Sciences, the nation's most eminent scientific organization, produced books on the evidence supporting the theory of evolution and arguing against the introduction of creationism or other religious alternatives in public school science classes. Barbara A. Schaal, a vice president of the academy and an evolutionary biologist at WUSTL, comments on the third volume recently published.

Back to Campus: Parental Anxiety 101 -- What moms and dads need to know Newsday (NY) Aug. 20, 2007 -- Parents across Long Island are asking questions these days as they help pack their children's belongings or accompany them to campuses across the country. Their minds are filled with questions about crime and campus security, communicating with their students, finances, academics, social life, and separation anxiety. One of the experts commenting is Karen Levin Coburn, WUSTL's associate dean for freshman transition and co-author of Letting Go: A Parent's Guide to Understanding the College Years.

"The Secret" Draws on Long Tradition Associated Press Online and 57 others June 25, 2007 -- Writer looks at the popularity of the best seller "The Secret" and the history of the New Thought movement. WUSTL religious studies professor Frank Flinn comments.

How to Talk About Aging Newsweek June 11, 2007 -- A recent survey by AARP found that nearly 70 percent of adult children have not talked to their parents about issues related to aging. Some children avoid this most intimate of conversations because they believe their parents don't want to talk. Others think they know what their parents want. WUSTL psychology professor Brian Carpenter is one of the experts offering advice.

Darwin's God The New York Times Magazine March 13, 2007 -- A New York Times Magazine cover story examines controversial theories about the existence of God and what some call the scientific assault on religion that has been garnering attention recently. But lost in the hullabaloo over the neo-atheists is a quieter and potentially more illuminating debate. It is taking place not between science and religion but within science itself, specifically among the scientists studying the evolution of religion. One of the scientists mentioned is WUSTL anthropology professor Pascal Boyer.

Do You Believe in Magic? The New York Times, The New York Times Magazine and 1 others Jan. 23, 2007 -- Psychologists and anthropologists have typically turned to faith healers, tribal cultures or New Age spiritualists to study the underpinnings of belief in superstition or magical powers. But new research demonstrates that habits of so-called magical thinking -- wishing harm on an enemy -- are far more common than people acknowledge. These habits have little to do with religious faith, but magical thinking underlies a vast, often unseen universe of small rituals that accompany people through every waking hour of a day. WUSTL psychology and anthropology professor Pascal Boyer comments.

Political pros sharpen their knives in press release wars Associated Press State & Local Wire and 5 others July 26, 2006 -- Article on the increasingly common attack fare in news releases from political operatives desperate to spin news coverage to their advantage. WUSTL political rhetoric expert Wayne Fields, who directs the American Culture Studies program, says these tactics threaten to drain the substance out of political debate.

Editorial: Young Latinas and a cry for help The New York Times July 21, 2006 -- Editorial responds to a recent series in the Spanish-language New York newspaper El Diario/La Prensa sheds some light on a mostly overlooked national phenomenon, the misunderstood and endangered young Latina, who represents one of the fastest-growing segments of the American population. Hispanic teenage girls attempt suicide more often than any other group. A five-year study now in its second year in New York is being led by WUSTL social work and psychiatry professor Luis Zayas, who says the self-destructive behavior seems to affect Latinas of every origin and every region of the country.

Secularism, the French & Alfred Dreyfus The New York Sun July 7, 2006 -- Several hundred Parisians gathered at City Hall yesterday to pay tribute to a French army captain, Alfred Dreyfus,who was convicted wrongly of treason in a trial that divided France more than a century ago. Anti-Semitism and assimilation are still controversial subjects in France today. WUSTL anthropology professor John Bowen comments.

Democrats hope to divide G.O.P. over stem cells The New York Times and 1 others April 24, 2006 -- Democrats are pressing their support for embryonic stem cell research in Congressional races around the country, seeking to move back to center stage an issue they believe resonates with voters and to exploit a division between conservatives who oppose the science and other Republicans more open to it. Former U.S. Senator John Danforth, an Episcopal minister, and his brother, William, WUSTL chancellor emeritus, have taken a prominent role in promoting the amendment.

Porn stars, sex toys part of Yale program Washington Post and 123 others Feb. 20, 2006 -- Sex Week at Yale is a biennial celebration that has become one of the most provocative campus events in the country. Organizers say they are promoting sexual awareness, not sex. Sex Week gets students talking about sex in a way that's more relevant than middle-school film strips, more honest than movies and television, and more fun than requisite college health lectures. Critics say Sex Week is just the latest act of debauchery at colleges in recent years. WUSTL offers a sex-themed week with orgasm seminars and condom telegrams.

Why we want to believe in God Seattle Times Nov. 28, 2005 -- Religion used to be ascribed to a wish to escape mortality by invoking an afterlife or to feel less alone in the world. Now, some anthropologists and psychologists suspect that religious belief is what Pascal Boyer of WUSTL calls in a 2003 paper "a predictable byproduct of ordinary cognitive function."

Ideology serves as a wild card on court pick New York Times and 1 others Nov. 4, 2005 -- Democrats admit that Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito has the qualifications to serve. They plan to assess Judge Alito on ideological grounds. WUSTL law and political science professor Lee Epstein comments.

Our brains strive to see only the good, leading some to god Wall Street Journal Oct. 28, 2005 -- Article on the debate over whether or not our brain is wired to believe in God. Some anthropologists and psychologists suspect that religious belief is what Pascal Boyer, WUSTL professor of anthropology and psychology, calls in a 2003 paper "a predictable by-product of ordinary cognitive function."

Emotional toll is brewing USA Today, Washington Post and 1 others Sept. 14, 2005 -- As many as one-third of people displaced by Hurricane Katrina could develop a stress-related disorder that needs professional help, according to projections by the federal agency coordinating the nation's mental health response. WUSTL psychiatry professor and trauma expert Carol North is one of the experts commenting.

Disaster strikes psyches of victims, rescuers and a transfixed nation Associated Press, Fox News online and 66 others Sept. 7, 2005 -- Hurricane Katrina has greatly affected the lives of survivors, rescue workers and even a transfixed nation that watched the catastrophe unfold. Experts say survivors may suffer significant psychological trauma, but stress that people are remarkably resilient, and that most who survived the storm and floodwaters won't be permanently impaired. One of the experts commenting is WUSTL psychiatry professor Barry Hong.

More News:

Severe priest shortage cause of 'sweeping wrongdoing under the rectory rug'
April 2002 - The ongoing crisis in the Roman Catholic Church involving alleged and substantiated cases of sexual abuse and pedophilia by priests is creating a feeling of unease among parishioners. New cases from throughout the country and abroad are coming to light on nearly a daily basis. Frank K. Flinn, Ph.D., an expert on Christianity in the modern world, says that the real cause of the problem, and one that has been somewhat overlooked in the popular press, is the severe shortage of priests throughout the world.

9/11 memory and love
September 2001 - Frank K. Flinn, adjunct professor of religious studies at Washington University in St. Louis and a noted authority on religious thought and expression, comments on his experience of 9/11 and his hope that love will flourish in wake of terror and destruction.

Darrow gift establishes Catholic professorship
April 2002 - The Religious Studies program in Arts & Sciences will benefit from a $1.5 million gift from Stella K. Darrow to establish the Stella Koetter Darrow Professorship in Catholic Studies. The gift will significantly enhance the Religious Studies curriculum by complementing its current strengths in Jewish studies and Islamic studies.