As a religious sceptic, Bill Medley investigates the five major world religions: Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam and Judaism, from a layman's perspective. He attempts to see what can be known, if anything, about a 'God' or an 'afterlife' from logic and tangible evidence. Originally written as a letter to his sister-in-law, in Religion is For Fools! he shares his findings with her and tries to address her objections. Bill Medley worked as a professional entertainer for fifteen years. His stand-up comedy routines sometimes included satires on religion. Here he gives it a more serious examination. 'Absolutely brilliant! ... If all those who argue over religion had a copy of this book it would revolutionise the relationship between me and my bank manager.' Bill Medley 'This book has dramatically changed my whole attitude towards typing.' Diana Medley (wife)

Online churches are internet-based Christian communities, pursuing worship, discussion, friendship, support, proselytization, and other key religious goals through computer-mediated communication. Hundreds of thousands of people are now involved with online congregations, generating new kinds of ritual, leadership, and community and new networks of global influence. Creating Church Online constructs a rich ethnographic account of the diverse cultures of online churches, from virtual worlds to video streams. This book also outlines the history of online churchgoing, from its origins in the 1980s to the present day, and traces the major themes of academic and Christian debate around this topic. Applying some of the leading current theories in the study of religion, media and culture to this data, Tim Hutchings proposes a new model of religious design in contexts of mediatization, and draws attention to digital networks, transformative third spaces and terrains of existential vulnerability. Creating Church Online advances our understanding of the significance and impact of digital media in the religious and social lives of its users, in search of new theoretical frameworks for digital religion.

State ordained child torturer Minister prisoner represents the offices of the Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, TDCJ Director Bryan Collier, TBCJ, and wardens throughout the prison—but the greatest piece of fantasy is how the Executive Culture of cover ups came to see this Fools’ Parade as good for Texas, even “God’s will” to change the world. TDCJ destroys records of violence after 7 years and has hired the lowest qualified of the applicant pool many times in the last 25 years, even ordered the cleaning of contraband at the Polunsky Prison, and all those responsible for covering up a horde were promoted! 25 years of this! Who thinks a director that allowed that can competently supervise a naïve volunteer in a systemwide program of indenturing prisoners? Why is the director sponsoring psychopaths counseling psychopaths? Answer? MONEY—selling the Fools’ Parade Fantasy that buying faith from prisoners with favor turns them into saints after 4 years of Bible to naïve Evangelicals. Who thinks it JUSTICE that 400,000,000 hours of officer contact has zero definitive influence on parole when a commissioner spends

Ahiṃsā in the Indic Traditions: Explorations and Reflections, edited by Jeffery D. Long and Steven J. Rosen, examines the diversity of nonviolent (ahimsa-oriented) doctrines originating in the Indic world, both in terms of interpersonal relationships and how they apply to the rest of creation, including animals. This volume engages the voices of scholars from various disciplines and addresses numerous religious doctrines, including those of Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and their related sacred texts. The book focuses not only on past scholarship and intellectual modes of understanding nonviolence, but also on living traditions and the practice of modern and post-modern individuals, from Vivekananda to Gandhi to Prabhupada, and their millions of supporters and followers. The volume shows that the implications of ahimsa are staggering, with reference to interpersonal exchange, vegetarianism, animal rights, climate change, and so on.

Unlock your full potential with this revision guide which provides both the key content you need to know and guidance on how to apply it for better grades My Revision Notes: Edexcel A2 Religious Studies Developments: Philosophy of Religion and Ethics helps you stay motivated and focused during your revision - and gives students the opportunity to practise and refine your skills to achieve the best grade in your exam. Breaks down all topics into short sections - easy to read and revise from Exam-style practice questions help confidence with the exam Concise notes, clear layout and colourful features keep you engaged Check your learning with the 'test yourself' questions and tick-box design

A new world of religious satire illuminated through the layers of religion and humor that make up the The Simpsons, South Park and Family Guy. Drawing on the worldviews put forth by three wildly popular animated shows – The Simpsons, South Park, and Family Guy– David Feltmate demonstrates how ideas about religion’s proper place in American society are communicated through comedy. The book includes discussion of a wide range of American religions, including Protestant and Catholic Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, Native American Religions, New Religious Movements, “Spirituality,” Hinduism, and Atheism. Along the way, readers are shown that jokes about religion are influential tools for teaching viewers how to interpret and judge religious people and institutions. Feltmate, develops a picture of how each show understands and communicates what constitutes good religious practice as well as which traditions they seek to exclude on the basis of race and ethnicity, stupidity, or danger. From Homer Simpson’s spiritual journey during a chili-pepper induced hallucination to South Park’s boxing match between Jesus and Satan to Peter Griffin’s worship of the Fonz, each show uses humor to convey a broader commentary about the role of religion in public life. Through this examination, an understanding of what it means to each program to be a good religious American becomes clear. Drawn to the Gods is a book that both fans and scholars will enjoy as they expose the significance of religious satire in these iconic television programs.