Much of the modern dialogue between science
and religion deals with the origin of the universe and
the development of life on earth—surrogate discussions over
the existence of God and the divine role in life. In my relatively
brief time at Cambridge, a day did
not pass without some mention of Charles Darwin—
an alumnus—and Richard Dawkins, the best-selling Oxford atheist. [READ
MORE]
Mark with Sir Martin Rees, Britain's
Astronomer Royal,
at Cambridge University. (Summer
2008) Photo by Sara Brown
Writers On the Rolls
Interview with Mark I. Pinsky
December 12, 2008
Economic misery has spread
to journalism and newspeople everywhere are being laid-off.
But The New Republic's Mark Pinsky has found hope
for reporters in a previous economic downturn.
[Hit play to listen]
By Mark I. Pinsky President-elect Barack
Obama's plan to
invest in the country's infrastructure harkens
back to the New Deal. Listen
Now
By Mark I. Pinsky
Why Barack Obama should resurrect the Federal Writers Project and
bail out laid-off journalists. [READ
MORE]
By Mark I. Pinsky
Faithful comedians can teach followers a thing or two. But seriously,
folks, the ability to laugh at
one’s faith is a sign of growth and theological maturity. [READ
MORE]
By Mark Pinsky
While a preacher he crusaded for the religious right. Now an activist,
he fights for the secular left.
But whatever side the former felon is on, he’s
fighting for his convictions. And that’s where
the contradictions begin. [READ
MORE]
By Mark Pinsky
On the surface, Sarah Palin seems to be a champion broadly embraced
by evangelicals. Yet in recent
days and weeks, some polls suggest that — despite media attention
and large crowds — she may not
be significantly boosting support for her ticket's presidential
partner, Sen. John McCain,
among undecided white evangelicals,
a key demographic. [READ
MORE]
By Mark I. Pinsky
Science and faith, the British way
Some of the most prominent researchers in England enjoy a vibrant
religious life that coexists with their immersion in the scientific
world. Indeed, these evangelicals might give American believers,
and scientists, something to think about. [READ
MORE]
A Jew among the Evangelicals
If one ever feels blue about journalism on religion, especially on evangelical
Christians, meet Mark Pinsky, religion writer for the Orlando Sentinel.
When I was researching the history of Campus Crusade for Christ, I relied
on his articles to explain Crusade's relocation from California to Orlando.
Polygamy
sect raids
As part of a child abuse investigation, authorities in Texas have
taken away a large number of young girls from a ranch near San Antonio
belonging to the Mormon sect of Warren Jeffs. Jeffs himself is in
prison, convicted of being an accomplice to rape.
[LISTEN]
TeflonTelevangelists
by Mark I. Pinsky
Faith and forbearance can sometimes be insurmountable barriers for
religion journalists. When it comes to some true believers, I have
learned, nothing you write that questions their idols seems to make
any difference.
The
Golden Rolodex
By Mark I. Pinsky
Imagine a time before the Internet and the explosion of cable television
news and opinion shows. In those days, journalists looking for academic
authorities for their stories relied on something called the “Golden
Rolodex.” This was an informal list of easily reachable and
articulate professors, experts and authors whom we could call. Only
death or disgrace could dislodge those on it to make room for others.
[READ
MORE ]
Religion
News Becoming Obsolete He was an investigative reporter
for the Los Angeles Times before turning to the religion beat there,
then moved to Orlando. He's also the author of three books inspired
by his religion reporting, including the hugely popular.
"The Gospel According to the Simpsons"
(Westminster/John Knox Press)
The Faith of Flanders
By Mark I. Pinsky
No one would mistake Ned Flanders, the goofy next-door neighbor in "The
Simpsons," for a polished televangelist like Joel Osteen. But over
the past two decades the zealous cartoon character has become one of
the best-known evangelicals on America's small screen. With Americans
spending exponentially more time on their sofas watching television
than in pews listening to sermons, this is no insignificant matter.
[READ
MORE ]
Lifeline for mainliners
By Mark I. Pinsky
These once-dominant liberal Protestant denominations have been drained
by demographic realities and eclipsed by conservative religious voices.
[READ
MORE ]
The
gospel of money
by Mark I. Pinsky
Megachurch pastors and broadcast ministries are drawing renewed scrutiny
for living lavishly off the faithful’s funds. Fortunately, a
divide is emerging in the world of evangelicals:
the ‘haves’ and the ‘will have none of it.’ [READ
MORE]
Paper
cuts
The talk in American newsrooms is all about redundancies. But how
did the situation get so bad for US papers — and what hope is
there for the future?
