ReligionDispatches - Austin Dacey

The Death of a Secularist

Austin Dacey — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 17:00:01 PST

The funeral of an atheist friend inspires examination of the Here and the Hereafter. Does death rob life of meaning or does it provide it?

Decomposing Humanism: Why Replace Religion?

Austin Dacey — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 00:00:01 PDT

Humanists are right to think that there is more to life than atheism, but wrong to think that they are the ones to provide it.

On the Taliban’s Hit List: An Exiled Pakistani Singer’s Plea to Save Music

Austin Dacey — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 18:00:01 PDT

An interview with a singer marked for death by the Taliban. Curiously, while the Taliban claims that music is a violation of Islamic law, they do have their own melodies and hymns.

Rage Against the Regime: Voices from the Iranian Underground Music Scene

Austin Dacey — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 15:00:01 PDT

Iran’s Green Revolt is about freedom and democracy, sure. But it usually has to take form in a particular issue or, as in the case of a growing portion of Iran’s youth, in song. Meet the resistance in the form of the underground music scene.

Ahmadinejad Aside, Anti-Racism Conference Was Deeply Flawed

Austin Dacey — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 00:00:01 PDT

At the largely symbolic “Durban II” conference, some Islamic states and their allies are busy equating faith with race, conflating religious criticism with bigotry, and fashioning new political cudgels with which to pummel the West.

Religious Persecution Wolf in Anti-Defamation Sheep’s Clothing

Austin Dacey — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 00:00:01 PDT

Capitalizing on the Muhammad cartoon riots and Western anxieties over the persecution of Muslims, the UN Human Rights Council passed a resolution urging member states to prosecute for “religious defamation.” Problem is, those likely to suffer most are religious minorities.