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Archive: John Esposito
Religious leaders should have no extra influence
Religious leaders have always had a right, and indeed from their faith perspective an obligation, to speak out on issues of morality and social justice. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has a long track record of doing do so.
By John Esposito | November 20, 2009; 09:16 AM ET | Comments (0)
Major faiths no threat to U.S.
No major faith, including the five major world religions I have studied and taught, threatens the safety and security of the U.S. or its citizens. Religious extremists of any faith are a threat but they should be treated as any other extremists, religious or non-religious.
By John Esposito | November 11, 2009; 10:58 AM ET | Comments (7)
Rush to judgment: Media reporting or making the news?
Why immediately rush to brushstroke Islam, Hasan's religion, by linking it to this tragedy?
By John Esposito | November 6, 2009; 03:36 PM ET | Comments (19)
A Global Agenda for Change in Muslim-Christian Relations
Critical to realizing the purpose and goal of A Common Word is applied theology, transforming belief and dialogue into action. Conference encounters and their final reports alone, however good and important are too easily archived and do not in themselves change minds and hearts and transform societies.
By John Esposito | October 12, 2009; 09:06 AM ET | Comments (28)
Islamists and the Future of Democracy in the Arab World
The threat of global terrorism has provided a convenient excuse for Muslim autocrats and some Western policymakers to backslide or retreat from the promotion of democratization, to limit or control civil society and the rights of non-government organizations.
By John Esposito | August 25, 2009; 09:59 AM ET | Comments (1)
Apostasy and Religious Pluralism
A significant minority of Muslims, like very conservative and fundamentalist Christians and Jews who strongly affirm their faith, are less pluralistic in their attitudes towards other faiths and their co-believers.
By John Esposito | August 11, 2009; 11:20 AM ET | Comments (2)
Egypt's Challenge to Democracy
The arrest and detention of Dr. Aboul Fattouh symbolizes the continuing problem of Arab authoritarianism.
By John Esposito | July 31, 2009; 01:03 PM ET | Comments (1)
Muslim Women Reclaiming Their Rights
Though patriarchy, legitimated in the past by religion, remains very much alive as an ideology and value system, in many Muslim countries it is progressively challenged by women, also in the name of religion as well as economic realities.
By John Esposito | July 22, 2009; 01:05 PM ET | Comments (2)
Obama and Great Expectations in Muslim World
While Obama's vision and words are different from those of George W. Bush, it is still not clear how his policies will be all that different for the Muslim world.
By John Esposito | July 13, 2009; 10:22 AM ET | Comments (2)
Obama Reversing Christian Right's Damage to Islam
Obama offset the suspicion and belief that American foreign policy was influenced by the beliefs and designs of the Christian Right, intent upon spreading its version of God's message and rule.
By John Esposito | June 8, 2009; 01:28 PM ET | Comments (10)
A Paradigm to Jump-Start U.S. - Muslim Relations
Obama's Cairo address, in what may prove to be an historic event, was a major step forward in changing the course of American-Muslim relations.
By John Esposito | June 5, 2009; 04:40 PM ET | Comments (1)
Address Palestine-Israel Directly
Obama's combination of principle and pragmatism will be tested as he seeks to balance relations with old allies and populist expectations in the Muslim world. If Obama does not address Palestine-Israel directly and concretely, the response will be seen "as same old, same old."
By John Esposito | June 2, 2009; 12:04 PM ET | Comments (6)
Obama Must Transcend Israeli/Palestinian Divisions
The Obama administration will have to transcend America's policy of "Israeli Exceptionalism," privileging Israeli interests. A more even-handed policy would require that Israel as well as HAMAS and the Palestinians be held to the same standards to respect and comply with international law and U.N. resolutions.
By John Esposito | January 28, 2009; 12:39 AM ET | Comments (15)
Banking without Interest: Islamic Home Mortgages
If Islamic banking standards been in effect, the current investment and banking market crisis in America might have been avoided.
By John Esposito | September 29, 2008; 12:27 PM ET | Comments (7)
W.D. Mohammed: A Witness for True Islam
On September 11, as Americans commemorate the attacks and tragedy of 9/11, Warith Deen Mohammed will be buried. His passing and the memory of his accomplishments are a witness and fittingly a reminder of the heart of Islam and the vast majority of its followers.
By John Esposito | September 10, 2008; 04:21 PM ET | Comments (41)
Benedict's Mixed Messages to Islam
Given the multi-religious and multi-ethnic nature of America, not only Catholics but also Jews, Protestants, Muslims, and members of other faiths and faith will be monitoring Benedict's comments on inter-religious relations.
By John Esposito | April 16, 2008; 07:57 AM ET | Comments (16)
Who Speaks for Islam?
For the first time, we have a powerful new tool that provides access to the voices of a billion Muslims.
By John Esposito | March 26, 2008; 01:42 PM ET | Comments (4)
The Media's Fixation with Religion and Politics
The focus on religion in the presidential elections and in politics in general has gotten out of hand.
By John Esposito | March 19, 2008; 07:36 AM ET | Comments (8)
He'd Be Rejected by Democrats and Republicans
Clearly, opposition candidates and the media, as well as self-righteous religious leaders, would have a field day with this politically naive, unrealistic candidate!
By John Esposito | March 4, 2008; 03:26 PM ET | Comments (18)
Public Policies, Private Votes
The focus of presidential politics should remain political, economic and social issues. Those for whom religious values are paramount can still bring their beliefs or moral conscience to bear by privately judging a candidate's positions in light of their faith and beliefs.
By John Esposito | February 21, 2008; 06:39 AM ET | Comments (6)
Anglican Tensions Runneth Over
In fact, Archbishop Rowan Williams was not calling for implementation of Shariah law but simply signaling the need for addressing/discussing a question/issue that is inevitable. Muslims should have the same rights and choice that Orthodox Jews and Catholics already enjoy.
By John Esposito | February 12, 2008; 02:30 PM ET | Comments (4)
Reclaiming the Center
The Christian Right sees secularism as anti-religion. It's not.
By John Esposito | February 7, 2008; 05:27 PM ET | Comments (18)
Public Sees Leaders First
Both Pope John Paul and President Hinckley projected a positive image of their faiths even among those that would have problems with the conservative nature of their doctrinal or social beliefs and policies.
By John Esposito | February 1, 2008; 06:45 AM ET | Comments (2)
Untenable and Un-American
America's separation of church and state was to assure that no specific religious denomination be given special preference and that both belief and unbelief have equal protection and space.
By John Esposito | January 29, 2008; 05:11 AM ET | Comments (14)
Romney Credible but Calculating
Romney's comments might seem to many the calculated product of a presidential candidate in a 2008 race.
By John Esposito | December 6, 2007; 05:27 AM ET | Comments (5)
Desperate Times, Desperate Statements
Regrettably, I think Mr. McCain's statement is simply that of a desperate candidate.
By John Esposito | October 9, 2007; 06:10 AM ET | Comments (0)
'Just War' or Just War?
President Bush, who sees himself as a devout Christian, has waged a war that the majority of mainstream religious leaders see as a violation of Just War doctrine.
By John Esposito | June 4, 2007; 06:44 AM ET | Comments (80)
A World of Challenges
World events have given me not only a profession but also a vocation and mission.
By John Esposito | May 18, 2007; 07:38 AM ET | Comments (44)
Old Religions or Cult Classics?
The acceptance of Mormonism is still affected today by the fact that in many areas Mormons are not visible in many American communities.
By John Esposito | May 3, 2007; 07:56 AM ET | Comments (32)
True Islam has been Distorted
The Quran does not advocate or condone terrorism.
By John Esposito | April 19, 2007; 10:13 AM ET | Comments (235)
A Long Way to Go: A "Predestined" Media
There is a growing propensity in the media in the name of balanced coverage of Islam and Muslims to have a “counter voice” on virtually any story.
By John Esposito | March 28, 2007; 08:18 AM ET | Comments (37)
Many Religious Traditions Created by Men, But Presented as Sacred
Men, the patriarchs, "the good and not-so-good old boys" were the primary religious scholars and leaders, the interpreters of sacred texts and laws, ritual makers and architects of religious institutions.
By John Esposito | January 20, 2007; 10:10 AM ET | Comments (52)
Iraq: No Just War
The just war doctrine has a long established history and plays an important role in international affairs. Many if not most of mainstream religious leaders in the US, as did others like the Pope internationally, cited this doctrine in opposing...
By John Esposito | January 11, 2007; 03:34 PM ET | Comments (3)
Turks Troubled by Pope's Refusal to Apologize
How would the Pope feel if the Sheikh of Al-Azhar or a Grand Mufti publicly lectured him and Catholicism on their own serious problems such as pedophilia and the failure of many church officials in both covering up and not responding adequately?
By John Esposito | November 27, 2006; 08:00 PM ET | Comments (136)
Concern for Neighbor Can Trump Belief Monopoly
Those who feel they have a monopoly on truth can be an obstacle to...understanding needed in today's world. However, this need not be so.
By John Esposito | November 15, 2006; 03:30 PM ET | Comments (251)
