Podcasts about disappearing religions

Dimes and Judas address the recent government WhatsApp message leaks concerning the true reasons for UK's Covid-19 lockdown policy, red night vision goggles seeing demons in Vietnam, and the problem of trad parents with big families still ending up in retirement homes. They then launch into the lush history of Middle Eastern religious geopolitics with the book "Heirs to Forgotten Kingdoms: Journeys Into the Disappearing Religions of the Middle East" by Gerard Russell. From Samaritans to Zoroastrians, they dissect the beliefs, ethnoreligious histories, and present dilemmas presented by modern pressures that have finally forced these ancient movements to adapt or die. Lastly on this edition of The Copepranos Society, returning guest Zoltanous explains the true history of the Kalergi Plan and the author's impact on the cold war, and the recent launch of the very first Nazbol party "Patriotic Socialist Front," designed to bridge the gap between the warring factions of Dissident Politics and destruct the status quo.

In our ongoing quest to become better librarians by reading every genre (regardless of our actual interest) we tackle Religion (non-fiction).   Listen to your hosts Anna Ferri, Meghan Whyte, and Matthew Murray discuss how/whether reading non-fiction is different than fiction, Scientology, new religious movements, travelogues, biographies, how religion interacts with different cultures, accessibility, and Meghan geeks out about charismatic Christianity. Your Hosts This Episode Anna Ferri | Meghan Whyte | Matthew Murray Religion (Non-Fiction) We Read (or kinda): Recommended Going Clear: Scientology, Hollywood, and the Prison of Belief by Lawrence Wright (Scientology) Read Silence and Noise: Growing Up Zen in America by Ivan Richmond (Buddhism) Holy Laughter and the Toronto Blessing: An Investigative Report by James A. Beverley (Christianity) Generation J by Lisa Schiffman (Judaism) Speaking of Faith by Krista Tippett (interfaith) Heirs to Forgotten Kingdoms: Journeys Into the Disappearing Religions of the Middle East by Gerard Russell (Various - Middle East) How Good Do We Have to Be?: A New Understanding of Guilt and Forgiveness by Harold S. Kushner (interfaith?) Did Not Finish From Stone to Flesh: A Short History of the Buddha by Donald S. Lopez Jr. Under the Banner of Heaven: A Story of Violent Faith by John Krakauer More “books” we mentioned Buddha by Osamu Tezuka Other Links Should atheists read the great books of religion? Oh, Dewey Decimal - you so screwy   Two-Fisted Librarians Interpreting Meghan Eschatology One Church Problem Check out our Pinterest board and Tumblr posts for all the Religious non-fiction people in our club read (or tried to read), and follow us on Twitter!

In this interview Gerard Russell talks about his vivid and timely new book Heirs to Forgotten Kingdoms: Journeys Into the Disappearing Religions of the Middle East (Basic Books, 2014). Russell’s experience as a British diplomat in a rapidly changing region gives the book remarkable breadth, providing a valuable insight into the lives of minority communities from the Afghanistan-Pakistan border to Egypt: Mandaeans, Yazidis, Zoroastrians, Druze, Samaritans, Copts and Kalasha. Russell’s account pays particular attention to the circulation of stories, symbols and practices between these groups and reveals a history or extraordinary diversity and interdependence. His journey through this symbolic ecosystem, struggling to survive in its lands of origin, leads him eventually to diaspora communities in America and Europe. Is this the final domain of these forgotten kingdoms? Gerard Russell’s account of these colorful pasts, precarious presents and unknown futures will be of interest to scholars of religion, culture, the Middle East, and a wider non-specialist readership. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this interview Gerard Russell talks about his vivid and timely new book Heirs to Forgotten Kingdoms: Journeys Into the Disappearing Religions of the Middle East (Basic Books, 2014). Russell’s experience as a British diplomat in a rapidly changing region gives the book remarkable breadth, providing a valuable insight into the lives of minority communities from the Afghanistan-Pakistan border to Egypt: Mandaeans, Yazidis, Zoroastrians, Druze, Samaritans, Copts and Kalasha. Russell’s account pays particular attention to the circulation of stories, symbols and practices between these groups and reveals a history or extraordinary diversity and interdependence. His journey through this symbolic ecosystem, struggling to survive in its lands of origin, leads him eventually to diaspora communities in America and Europe. Is this the final domain of these forgotten kingdoms? Gerard Russell’s account of these colorful pasts, precarious presents and unknown futures will be of interest to scholars of religion, culture, the Middle East, and a wider non-specialist readership. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this interview Gerard Russell talks about his vivid and timely new book Heirs to Forgotten Kingdoms: Journeys Into the Disappearing Religions of the Middle East (Basic Books, 2014). Russell’s experience as a British diplomat in a rapidly changing region gives the book remarkable breadth, providing a valuable insight into the lives of minority communities from the Afghanistan-Pakistan border to Egypt: Mandaeans, Yazidis, Zoroastrians, Druze, Samaritans, Copts and Kalasha. Russell’s account pays particular attention to the circulation of stories, symbols and practices between these groups and reveals a history or extraordinary diversity and interdependence. His journey through this symbolic ecosystem, struggling to survive in its lands of origin, leads him eventually to diaspora communities in America and Europe. Is this the final domain of these forgotten kingdoms? Gerard Russell’s account of these colorful pasts, precarious presents and unknown futures will be of interest to scholars of religion, culture, the Middle East, and a wider non-specialist readership. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this interview Gerard Russell talks about his vivid and timely new book Heirs to Forgotten Kingdoms: Journeys Into the Disappearing Religions of the Middle East (Basic Books, 2014). Russell’s experience as a British diplomat in a rapidly changing region gives the book remarkable breadth, providing a valuable insight into the lives of minority communities from the Afghanistan-Pakistan border to Egypt: Mandaeans, Yazidis, Zoroastrians, Druze, Samaritans, Copts and Kalasha. Russell’s account pays particular attention to the circulation of stories, symbols and practices between these groups and reveals a history or extraordinary diversity and interdependence. His journey through this symbolic ecosystem, struggling to survive in its lands of origin, leads him eventually to diaspora communities in America and Europe. Is this the final domain of these forgotten kingdoms? Gerard Russell’s account of these colorful pasts, precarious presents and unknown futures will be of interest to scholars of religion, culture, the Middle East, and a wider non-specialist readership. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Gerard Russell talks about “Heirs to Forgotten Kingdoms”; Alexandra Alter has news from the literary world; Phil Zuckerman discusses “Living the Secular Life”; and Gregory Cowles has best-seller news. Pamela Paul is the host.

Gerard Russell and Tom Holland discuss the plight of religious minorities in Iraq and Syria. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Today life for religious minorities in Northern Iraq is perilous as the militant Islamist group, Islamic State, continues to attack a range of diverse groups across the country in its pursuit of establishing a new Caliphate. But in this programme Ernie Rea and guests explore how up until the 20th century Iraq was known as a harmonious melting pot of religious and ethnic diversity. How true is that assessment? What has happened to change that? Is there any way for Iraq to step back from the brink? And could a Caliphate ever be part of the solution? Joining Ernie Rea to discuss the current situation in Iraq from a religious perspective are Gerard Russell, former British and United Nations diplomat and author of "Heirs to Forgotten Kingdoms: Journeys into the Disappearing Religions of the Middle East"; Dr Erica Hunter, Senior Lecturer in Eastern Christianity in the Department of Religions at the School of Oriental and African Studies in London: and Dr Reza Pankhurst author of The Inevitable Caliphate. Producer: Catherine Earlam.

Today life for religious minorities in Northern Iraq is perilous as the militant Islamist group, Islamic State, continues to attack a range of diverse groups across the country in its pursuit of establishing a new Caliphate. But in this programme Ernie Rea and guests explore how up until the 20th century Iraq was known as a harmonious melting pot of religious and ethnic diversity. How true is that assessment? What has happened to change that? Is there any way for Iraq to step back from the brink? And could a Caliphate ever be part of the solution? Joining Ernie Rea to discuss the current situation in Iraq from a religious perspective are Gerard Russell, former British and United Nations diplomat and author of "Heirs to Forgotten Kingdoms: Journeys into the Disappearing Religions of the Middle East"; Dr Erica Hunter, Senior Lecturer in Eastern Christianity in the Department of Religions at the School of Oriental and African Studies in London: and Dr Reza Pankhurst author of The Inevitable Caliphate. Producer: Catherine Earlam.