Secularism, Theology and Islam offers a uniquely theological analysis of the historic Danish cartoon crisis of 2005-2006, in which the publication of twelve images of the Prophet Muhammad in the Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten ignited violent global protests. The crisis represents a politically, culturally, and religiously important event of the early 21st century, and Jennifer Veninga explores the important question of why the cartoons were published in Denmark when they were and why this matters to the larger global community. The book outlines three main interpretations of the affair as they were framed by international news media: as an issue exclusively about freedom of speech, as related to a 'clash of civilizations', or exclusively as a matter of international politics. Whilst these are important to note, the author argues that the crisis was far more complex than any of these interpretations suggest, and argues that an alternative methodology can be found in philosopher Charles Taylor's concept of the 'social imaginary', which refers to the shared norms, expectations, images and narratives of a community or nation that inform many of its shared practices. Describing the Danish social imaginary as a paradox of Christianity and secularism, Veninga explains why the new presence of Islam has been perceived as such a threat to Danish identity. The author also maintains that despite tendencies toward exclusion, the Danish imaginary also supports a move toward authentic religious pluralism. Understanding the Danish cartoon crisis is important for any community struggling with new religious diversity, especially those with largely secular identities. Furthermore, the method used to examine the crisis provides a theological analytical framework applicable to a wide variety of contemporary social and political movements and issues.

This book begins with a description of what it was like to grow up Catholic in the middle part of the 20th century. It then follows the author's journey as a teacher in Catholic Education and describes the different way that modern Catholic children are being educated. It traces her growth into a personal spirituality, which leads her to question many of the Catholic Church's teachings, especially those to do with sexual and reproductive matters. Finally, it asks Catholic women to take on the responsibility of changing the Catholic Church themselves. It is a nostalgic, educational, stimulating and challenging read by a wife, a mother, a teacher and somebody who has thought deeply about spirituality.

From the bestselling authors of The Rise of Babylon and The ISIS Crisis, the essential guide for Christians about what Bible prophecy foretells concerning current events in the Middle East-especially the rise of ISIS and the resurgence of Russia-while providing a way to find peace and hope in the face of end times concerns. ISIS, Russia, and Iran are daily atop headlines and are among chief sources of intensifying unease among Americans about how current world conflicts will unfold. Using the Old Testament texts of prophets Ezekiel and Daniel as foundational passages, Bible experts Charles Dyer and Mark Tobey explain the connection between Bible prophecy and real-time events such as the growing alliance between Russia and Iran; the unsettling of the region as ISIS ravages countries and redraws boundaries; and the pull of Turkey and Saudi Arabia into the fray by Russian encroachment, Iranian meddling, and the United States' inability to create and lead a coalition. Simultaneously, Dyer and Tobey provide practical encouragement and spiritual principles for finding comfort, strength, and perspective in an unsettling time while laying out a strategy for responding out of faith rather than fear in the face of end times concerns.

The belief that a supreme power guides and embraces humanity has existed since primeval times. How that power is seen has been one of the greatest divisions between peoples and nations. Whether called God or by any other name, how that power is perceived is the theme that makes this work memorable.

An insurgency in Nigeria by the Islamist extremist group Boko Haram has left thousands dead, shaken Africa's biggest country and worried the world. Yet it remains a mysterious - almost unknowable - organisation. rough exhaustive on-the-ground reporting, Mike Smith takes readers inside the conflict and provides the first in-depth account of the violence and unrest. He traces Boko Haram from its beginnings as a small Islamist sect in Nigeria's remote north-east, led by a baby-faced but charismatic preacher, to its transformation into a hydra-headed entity, deploying suicide bombers and abducting schoolgirls. Much of the book is told through the eyes of Nigerians who have found themselves caught between frightening insurgents and security forces accused of horrifying brutality. It includes the voices of a forgotten police officer left paralysed by an attack, women whose husbands have been murdered and a sword-wielding vigilante using charms to fend of insurgent bullets. It journeys through the sleaze and corruption that has robbed Africa's biggest oil producer of its potential, making it such fertile ground for extremism.Along the way it questions whether there can be any end to the violence and the ways in which this might be achieved. Interspersed with history, this book delves into the roots of this unholy war being waged by a virtually unknown organisation, which is set to shape the destiny of Africa's biggest economy and most populous state - and perhaps affect the future of Africa.

'PTSD, A Lesser Known Kind: Surviving Religious Dogma, ' 2013 (formerly titled 'PTSD of a Lesser Known Kind: An Allegory, ' 2011), re-titled its new name in the spring of 2013, is a very unusual and complex hybrid of fiction and nonfiction. Coming from a violent, loveless upbringing, Alan, aka Tokee, took to interstate hitchhiking and train-hopping at an early age. Every city, every town, every village he came upon, deep within his soul there was this tantalizing expectation that maybe this is the place or maybe that is the place where he can finally fit, where he can finally feel the security of true parental love. Oh did he long for that frustratingly elusive love. Ironically, it was that hunger for love which made the young traveler so vulnerable. As the unloved inner child incessantly groaned in screaming silence for love and found it not, Alan, as he was called for most his life, reverted to the thing he had always turned to as a child when violated by his parents, by his uncle and thereafter by sadistic attendants in an institution for boys, namely FANTASY. Truly, fantasy had become Alan's sole refuge, his unfailing source of comfort, his safe haven from the strange cruelness he had known. The insecure 19-year-old hobo then surrendered to the greatest fantasy of all, Christianity. It was a fantasy readymade with a father, virgin mother, supernatural son---the whole fam'. At last Now he had found his place Now Alan had found what he yearned for all his life, family acceptance, and infinitely more, loving parental figures from another world who loved him unconditionally. Yet there is no such thing as 'unconditional love' in the elaborate illusion that is Christianity. Quite the contrary, it is based upon very specific, very conditional demands which absolutely must be met if one is to continue finding family acceptance with "God." When Alan began to recognize that conditional love is not love at all---i. e. "do this or else "---he became overwhelmed with hurt and rebellion. And the more the lies of Christianity became exposed, the angrier he got. This went on till an implosive, irreconcilable end came. The tumultuousness of that severing also resulted in Alan's suffering a form of PTSD, A Lesser Known Kind. This is the fictional lead of this tale. The nonfictional side, roughly half of this book, is the animated polemic against Christianity by the author. And that, rest assured, speaks in no uncertain terms for itself.

In recent decades, the taking of hostages has proven to be a particularly effective tactic for Islamic terrorist organizations worldwide, including al Qaeda. The global jihad' movement regards citizens of foreign (mainly western) countries as prime targets for abduction, although in fact local residents have constituted the majority of kidnapping victims. This book analyzes Islamic terror abductions over the last 30 years in the Middle East (Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Iran, Yemen, and Saudi Arabia), Asia (Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, and the Philippines), Africa (the Maghreb, the Sahel regions, and Somalia), and in Russia as a part of the RussianChechen conflict. Discussion also focuses on the abduction by Hizballah of Israeli soldiers, the Second Lebanon War' of 2006, the Mumbai terror attack (2008), the Chechen hostage crisis in Moscow and Beslan (2002 and 2004), the kidnapping of employees of the Algerian In Amenas gas facility by al Qaeda of the Maghreb' in January 2013 and the Nairobi "Westgate Mall" hostage crisis in September 2013. The role of Iran as a state sponsor of terrorism, and its patronage of terror organizations that utilize the tactic of abduction to promote Iranian interests in Lebanon and Iraq, is highlighted throughout. Discussion focuses on the challenges faced by countries whose citizens have been abducted by Islamic terror organizations and their reactions to these challenges, and provides theoretical classifications of the phenomenon of terrorism in general and terror abduction in particular.

Much of the confusion is caused by the Chinese government, which deceives journalists and foreign missionaries with promises of religious freedom that are never kept.

The truth is, the house churches of China are growing at a phenomenal rate. Never in the history of the world have so many people in such a short time left one belief system for another without a hostile revolution. Lives in China are being transformed daily by the gospel of Jesus Christ and the display of His miraculous power.

The Underground Church demystifies the Chinese house church movement, with real-life examples and personal testimonies from Chinese Christians. The movement's unique characteristics both good and bad are addressed, as well as how they have led to the church's astonishing growth.

Be amazed at what God is doing in China