Issue · 2015
Vol.2, Iss. 1
10 articles · pp. 1-36 · All issues →
Special Issue: Islam, Culture, and the Charlie Hebdo AffairThe Paris Attacks: A Moderate Liberal-Atheist Perspective
Massimo Pigliucci, K.D
Much has been written about the terrorist attack on the satirical paper Charlie Hebdo, which took place on 7 January 2015. Some of the commentary has been insightful, some full of pious platitudes about defense of free speech by sources with not exactly a stel…
23 Jan 2015- Special Issue: Islam, Culture, and the Charlie Hebdo Affair
Science, Religion, and Culture in light of Paris and Charlie Hebdo
Lawrence Krauss
I am terribly discouraged, not just by the senseless violence in Paris, but by the response worldwide to both the publication of content by Charlie Hebdo before the killings and by the mass protests throughout the Islamic world to the bittersweet cover publish…
23 Jan 2015 - Special Issue: Islam, Culture, and the Charlie Hebdo Affair
Islam, Violence and the Religious Mind
John Teehan
The terrible events in Paris brought, once again, the threat of Islamic radicalism to the foreground of public consciousness. Such attacks, of course, raise vital questions of public safety and the costs we are willing to pay for that safety. They also raise q…
23 Jan 2015 - Special Issue: Islam, Culture, and the Charlie Hebdo Affair
Islam and Violence: When "From Within" Meets "From Without"
Ozgur Koca
Violence is the perennial problem of our species and is in no way specific to one religion, ideology, or culture. A quick look at any history book would make this blindingly evident. It is also true that under specific circumstances the use of violence escalat…
23 Jan 2015 - Special Issue: Islam, Culture, and the Charlie Hebdo Affair
Free Speech is Free for Whom?
Hussein Rashid
The attacks against the staff of Charlie Hebdo (CH), a humor magazine based in Paris, on January 7, 2015, has been rightfully condemned by the international community. Much of the initial reporting focused on the fact that the gunmen were of North African de-…
23 Jan 2015 - Special Issue: Islam, Culture, and the Charlie Hebdo Affair
Believe the Terrorists: Religion, Violence, and the Power of Beliefs
Michael Shermer
Pop quiz: What did the assailants shout after murder- ing 17 people in Paris in January, 2015, including edi- tors and cartoonists of the satirical publication Charlie Hebdo? A. “Moses rocks!” B. “Jesus saves!” C. “Vishnu lives!&r…
23 Jan 2015 - Special Issue: Islam, Culture, and the Charlie Hebdo Affair
When Satire Meets Islamic Fundamentalism: Are We All Charlie?
Frank Griffel
After the attacks of January 7 on the editorial offices of “Charlie Hebdo” and the hostage taking at a Jewish supermarket two days later, yet another Western country asked itself why do they attack us? Why do they hate us? France experiences a mome…
23 Jan 2015 - Special Issue: Islam, Culture, and the Charlie Hebdo Affair
The Dilemma of Islamic Terrorism
Ali Sina
The recent massacres in Paris of the staff of Charlie Hebdo and the Jews in a kosher supermarket have made more people concerned about the rise of terrorism.Tens of thousands have come out to demonstrate.
23 Jan 2015 - Special Issue: Islam, Culture, and the Charlie Hebdo Affair
In the Aftermath of the Terror Attacks in France
Stephen Suleyman Schwartz
As a moderate Muslim, who works to unite moderate, traditional, conventional, spiritual, and even conservative (but not radical) Muslims, I must begin any commentary on the French atrocities by rejecting the claim that extremism and terror are not aspects of I…
23 Jan 2015 - Special Issue: Islam, Culture, and the Charlie Hebdo Affair
On Terrorism and Blasphemy
Varadaraja V. Raman
The term terrorism usually refers to any act (pre-determined and/or methodical) whose goal is to frighten and possibly kill people. Invading soldiers over the ages have terrorized innocent civilians in many regions of the world. Governments have terrorized the…
23 Jan 2015