“Recognizing a Saint: The Politics of Identity within the Canonization of Kateri Tekakwitha,” by Erin Routon
In 2006, a young boy in Washington State named Jake Finkbonner was playing basketball when he hit his face on the rim. As a result of that injury, Jake caught a flesh-eating bacteria that nearly took his life. Because of Jake’s Native American ancestry, his family’s Roman Catholic priest informed them of a particularly relevant [...]
“Political Theology or Theological Politics: Paradox at the Heart of Democracy,” by Shane Akerman
Several paradoxes are intrinsic to the democratic project. This essay will confront what Bonnie Honig refers to as the paradox of politics (or, the paradox of democratic legitimation).[1] Honig asks the Rousseauean question of which comes first: good people (who make good law) or a good law (that defines good people)? In other words, where [...]
“At the Margins of Sovereignty: An Expansion of the Implications of Political Theology,” by Stephen Padilla
Within recent decades, the ranks of liberalism’s critics have grown considerably to include many who still subscribe to the American democratic experiment. Instead of advocating for a radical change in government or the structure of social relations, some theorists instead have thrown into question the viability of liberalism’s capacity to provide an apt description of [...]
“Spray Paint on the Border Wall: Challenging the Waning Sovereignty of the Nation-State” by Ann Hidalgo
In Walled States, Waning Sovereignty Wendy Brown explores the contemporary phenomenon of wall-building by nations around the globe. Brown links the desire to erect border walls to what she perceives as the weakening of state sovereignty, and she examines the symbolic roles that walls fulfill as representations of authority. Brown claims that border walls function [...]
“The Problem of Nation-State in Democratic Politics” by Yi Shen Ma
The meaning of nationhood is a hotly debated issue in Western political theory. Despite its intrinsic ambiguity, however, most scholars agree that the idea of a “nation” is real enough to impact the world in a significant way, especially in a world where nations are supposed to align with states, as expressed in the common [...]
“Weakening Liberalism: Rawls, Pluralism, and the Fact of Oppression,” by Daniel Ambord
The next five posts from Claremont Journal of Religion will be on the topic of Political Theology. Here is a piece from the first of them. “Moving well beyond Schmitt and even Rosenzweig, to Tillich, Chesterton, Zizek, Rawls, Vattimo, and more, these papers expand the domain of ‘political theology’ and theological politics’ in ways that [...]
“The Prophet of Islam: Muhammad and Environmental Activism” by Ozgur Koca
Muhammad, like every other important controversial historical figure, is what we choose to remember of his legacy. Current studies on the Prophet of Islam “choose” to remember the highlights of his life, such as his wars, diplomacy, and statesmanship. In this literature the Prophet of Islam appears to be a political leader, a conflict resolver, [...]
“Darwin, Hubble, and God: Exploring Theologies of ‘the Fall’ in Light of Modern Science” by Sheri Kling
In her recent address to the Claremont School of Theology, Phyllis Tickle put on the table several key issues that must be addressed if the mainline church hopes to speak to the needs of those who are more aligned with the Emergent religious movement than they are with traditional organized religion. Primarily, she said, the [...]
“Religion and the Complications of Personhood for Women,” by Leanne Dedrick
I was recently challenged to expand my thinking on interfaith religious dialogue and education when I was presented with the idea that religion is a personal manifestation of both selfhood and belief. From this perspective, to hold the position that religion is a personal choice is actually to hold a narrow and privileged view of [...]
“Buddhism and American Consumerism: Religious Identity as Protest” by Natasha L. Mikles
The First Truth of Buddhism, realized by the Buddha when he sat beneath the bodhi tree and attained enlightenment, is that life is suffering. All life, anywhere and at any time, is suffering. While this may seem to be a rather pessimistic view, the Buddha went on to teach that suffering has a cause and [...]
Claremont Journal of Religion
Claremont Journal of Religion (CJR) is a student led, peer-reviewed, online journal that focuses on the ways "religion" can be understood in the contemporary world. CJR is in relationship with the recently established Claremont Lincoln University, Claremont School of Theology, Claremont Graduate University, Claremont University Consortium, and The Society for Philosophy and Religion at Claremont (SPARC). The goal of this journal is to provide a forum for emerging scholars, academics, graduate students, and lay-leaders to publish their latest work in the broad field of "religious studies." Issues will be published bi-annually and contain 4-6 articles and 2-4 book reviews. ISSN# 2162-3732. Each issue will be available to order in print through Amazon. Eventually the Journal will be looking to be indexed in The Philosopher's Index. Claremont Journal of Religion ©, Kile Jones 2011. CJR is committed to promoting diversity (racial, sexual, ethnic, etc.) and fostering an environment of respect and compassion. We encourage submissions from minorities and marginalized groups.
Subscribe to this author
Contributing Scholars
Jason TippittTennessee native Jason R. Tippitt is pursuing a master of arts in theological studies at Andover Newton Theological School in the Boston area. He is a "religious independent" with an interest in collaborative efforts within, between, and beyond religious communities for the common good. Follow him on Twitter: @TippittJason
Rabbi Ari SaksRabbi Ari Saks is a recently ordained rabbi from the Jewish Theological Seminary of America and a product of the various arms of the Conservative Movement. He is an avid believer and supporter of the benefits of "interfaithing" (faiths working and dialoguing together) and is particularly interested in how members of different faiths (even within one's own family) come together to do spiritually meaningful work. He currently serves as the Rabbi of Temple Beth Mordecai in Perth Amboy, NJ.
Dn. MartyI am attending St. Tikhon's Orthodox Theological Seminary in South Canaan, Pennsylvania, with the hope of becoming an Orthodox Christian Priest. I am interested in how to maintain the integrity of belief while keeping the fellowship of and dialogue with other faith backgrounds.