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Kristina García
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klg@upenn.edu
Religious Studies
Religious freedom as a tool for American occupation
Religious freedom as a tool for American occupation
Jolyon Thomas, an associate professor of religious studies, discusses his award-winning book, ‘Faking Liberties: Religious Freedom in American-Occupied Japan.’
The Divine Comedy’s ‘universal message’
The Divine Comedy’s ‘universal message’
Seven centuries years after Dante Alighieri's death on Sept. 14, 1321, his “Divine Comedy,” a poem in which an autobiographical protagonist journeys through hell, purgatory, and paradise, is still widely influential.
Archiving empire with religious studies’ Megan Robb
Archiving empire with religious studies’ Megan Robb
A long-unseen archive centered on an 18th-century Mughal woman will soon be publicly accessible, thanks to the work of religious studies professor Megan Robb of the School of Arts & Sciences and a team of Penn students.
Nationalism, American evangelicals, and conservatism
Nationalism, American evangelicals, and conservatism
Historians Anthea Butler and Heather J. Sharkey and political scientist Michele Margolis share their thoughts on the history of American evangelicals in politics, Trump’s appeal, and what it means for the future of the GOP.
Integrating tough questions about the intersection of race, religion, and politics
Integrating tough questions about the intersection of race, religion, and politics
Through student discussions and outside lectures, one SNF Paideia Program course examined the Jewish experience, the history of prejudice, and intersectionality in Jewish identity, among other topics.
‘Then and Now: Black-Jewish Relations in the Civil Rights Movement’
‘Then and Now: Black-Jewish Relations in the Civil Rights Movement’
Professor of religious studies Anthea Butler gave an overview of shared history and discussed next steps in “Then and Now: Black-Jewish Relations in the Civil Rights Movement,” an event hosted by the Katz Center for Advanced Judaic Studies.
Pope Francis supports same-sex unions
Pope Francis supports same-sex unions
The Catholic Church has long stated that marriage is between a man and a woman, a position Pope Francis supports. Melissa Wilde and Anthea Butler discuss the Pope’s recent support of civil unions that ensure legal rights for same-sex couples.
Across U.S. Catholic archdioceses, child protection policies vary widely
Across U.S. Catholic archdioceses, child protection policies vary widely
A report from CHILD USA, led by Professor of Practice Marci Hamilton, found that such policies lack uniformity, aren’t comprehensive, and often don’t take a victim-centered approach.
A food journey across the Middle East
A food journey across the Middle East
During a summer internship with Professor Heather J. Sharkey, four undergrads studied oranges, olive oil, coffee, and sorghum in an effort to understand their political, nutritional, and emotional value to the region.
Understanding death
Understanding death
In the latest episode of Penn Today’s “Understand This ...” podcast series, assistant professor of Religious Studies Jolyon Thomas and Director of Pastoral Services James Browning explore dialogues around death.
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In the News
National Catholic Reporter
Catholics, abortion and the election: It’s complicated
Anthea Butler of the School of Arts & Sciences believes that white Catholics care less about abortion than about other issues like race.
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Religion News Service
Kamala Harris’ multi-religious identity is a map of the future
Anthea Butler of the School of Arts & Sciences says that Kamala Harris’s religious story is not a straight line, which mirrors the trajectory of many Americans today.
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MSNBC
Christian activists try Ten Commandments law, emboldened by compromised Supreme Court
Anthea Butler of the School of Arts & Sciences discusses Louisiana’s new law requiring the display of the Protestant version of the Ten Commandments in every school in the state.
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The Hill
Save America’s sacred places for civic purposes
In a co-written opinion article, John Dilulio of the School of Arts & Sciences says that neglected religious buildings should be preserved for civic use.
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Philadelphia Inquirer
‘Muslim-ish’: For less observant Muslims, Ramadan remains a cherished ritual
Jamal Elias of the School of Arts & Sciences comments on the percentages of Muslims who practice their religion by praying five times a day, wearing the hijab, and eating halal food.
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The Conversation
For 150 years, Black journalists have known what Confederate monuments really stood for
Donovan Schaefer of the School of Arts & Sciences says that journalists at Black newspapers have historically criticized Confederate monuments for falsely enshrining Southern myths about why the Civil War was fought.
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