The Marathon Monks of Japan

August 1, 2024 By Barbara O'Brien

The marathon monks of Enryakuji, a historic Buddhist temple complex in Japan, are famous for a grueling physical and spiritual challenge that’s been called the world’s toughest ultramarathon. Enryakuji was built on Mount Hiei, overlooking Kyoto. Mount Hiei is covered by lush forests and winding trails. It is the headquarters of the Tendai school of Japanese Buddhism. And for centuries the monks of Enryakuji have walked, jogged, and run those trails as part of a tradition called kaihogyo, the “practice... Read more

Religious Liberty and Josh Hawley

July 10, 2024 By Barbara O'Brien

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Religious Liberty and Josh Hawley don’t mix. The Republican U.S. Senator from Missouri has made it clear in speeches and in writing that he is opposed to the free exercise of religion if that religion isn’t Christianity. In fact, he has said that the freedom to think for ourselves is dangerous. And he thinks there is a “crisis” in America that’s been caused by a heretical 5th century monk. Senator Josh Hawley recently came out as a Christian Nationalist. Monday... Read more

What Does “Teaching the Bible” Really Mean?

July 7, 2024 By Barbara O'Brien

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“Teaching the Bible” — what does that mean? Now that the state of Oklahoma had decided that the Bible must be taught in all schools — and not just as literature — we may want to think very specifically about what “teaching the Bible” entails. And we also need to discuss whether it should be taught to all American children, both Christian and non-Christian. This policy is likely to spread to many other states, so if you live in the... Read more

God and the Declaration of Independence

July 2, 2024 By Barbara O'Brien

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The Declaration of Independence mentions God three times, in three different ways. Near the beginning there is “Nature’s God,” then later there is “Creator,” and toward the end “Divine Providence.” For this reason the Declaration is often cited by Christian nationalists in their arguments that the United States was founded to be a “Christian nation.” But the Declaration of Independence was written primarily by Thomas Jefferson, who also is closely associated with the metaphorical wall of separation between church and... Read more

What’s Wrong With the Louisiana Ten Commandments Law

June 26, 2024 By Barbara O'Brien

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The Louisiana Ten Commandments bill I wrote about last month has been signed into law and has become a major news story in the U.S. The Ten Commandments law mandates that the Ten Commandment will be prominently displayed in all Lousiana classrooms, public and private. It dictates the wording of the Commandments to be displayed, which appears to be a very abridged version of Exodus 20:1-17 from the King James Bible, with all the “thees” and “thous” intact but a... Read more

The Quest for Original Buddhism

June 20, 2024 By Barbara O'Brien

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There are multiple views about “original Buddhism.” The historical Buddha lived, we believe, about 26 centuries ago. He lived in what is now northeastern India, and in time his disciples spread his teachings throughout tine Indus Peninsula and beyond. Today, Buddhism is a global religion made up of many schools, denominations, sects, sub-sects, or whatever you want to call them. And these can be very different from one another, in doctrine and practice. So it’s natural to wonder how much... Read more

Florida Embeds Christian Nationalism in School

May 30, 2024 By Barbara O'Brien

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The Florida Department of Education has been directing middle school and high school teachers to work Christian nationalism into their lessons. This is according to journalist Judd Legum in his substack column Popular Information, “Florida educators trained to teach students Christian nationalism.” The aim, it appears, is to teach children that only Christians are real Americans. It is also part of a larger plan to sidestep the Constitution and allow conservative Christianity to dictate U.S. laws and policies. Judd Legum... Read more

The Appeal to Heaven Flag and Why It’s Controversial

May 23, 2024 By Barbara O'Brien

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The Appeal to Heaven Flag, also called the Pine Tree Flag, is a bit of genuine Americana flown during the American Revolution. It’s in the news now because a U.S. Supreme Court justice, Samuel Alito, displayed it beside his New Jersey beach home. And this has become a scandal. But why? Over the past couple of decades the Appeal to Heaven Flag has become a symbol of Christian nationalism. Writing in Christianity Today (February 2021), Paul Miller wrote that “Christian... Read more

Louisiana Passes a Ten Commandments in Public Schools Bill

May 19, 2024 By Barbara O'Brien

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The Louisiana legislature just passed a bill mandating the display of the Ten Commandments in all public school classrooms. And this one is very close to becoming law. Texas attempted such a thing last year, but the bill passed by the Texas Senate died in the Texas House. Similar bills were introduced in South Carolina and Utah but have not yet become laws. At the moment, however, it appears the Louisiana bill will go all the way to being signed... Read more

Why It’s Hard to Separate Church and State

May 17, 2024 By Barbara O'Brien

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The relationship of church and state is one of the vexing issues of our time. It’s been a vexing issue for a while, in fact. This seems especially true in the United States, a nation that combines a lot of fervent religiousity with a constitution intended to freeze religious authority out of the government. Many fervently religious people don’t see the harm in using government to spread and enforce their beliefs. They consider separation of church and state oppressive. But... Read more