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  Encyclopedia of Religious Ethics

  William Schweiker Ed. and Bharat Ranganathan

  A comprehensive, innovative, and authoritative view of moral inquiry engaged with the resources of the world’s religions

  Encompassing three comprehensive volumes, the Encyclopedia of Religious Ethics introduces fundamental issues in moral inquiry, explores the world’s major moral traditions, and surveys specific moral issues across a wide range of human experiences. This landmark work defines the meaning, task, and various forms of religious ethics to guide readers through critical inquiry of religious and moral life across historical periods, geography, and cultural traditions. The Encyclopedia features contributions by an extraordinary panel of ethicists, historians, theologians, philosophers, political theorists, and other experts that draw from and revise religious sources to explore basic themes in moral theory and address contemporary ethical and political problems.

  Each volume is devoted to a particular element of religious ethics. Volume I - Moral Inquiry helps readers understand diverse religious and moral traditions, the social practices and institutions used for their transmission, and the methods and approaches used for their comparison. Volume II – Moral Tradition describes the established historical traditions of Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Indian religions, Chinese religions, African religions, and religions of the Americas. Volume III – Moral Issues provides the conceptual resources for understanding the structures, conditions, and challenges of a wide range of moral issues that religious ethicists have engaged, and for appreciating the contributions of different scholars in the field. Unique in its topical depth and scope, the Encyclopedia of Religious Ethics:

  • Provides diverse historical, contemporary, theoretical, and cultural perspectives on numerous religious and moral traditions
  • Represents the richness of thought of a vast range of renowned scholars from various disciplines, traditions, and cultures
  • Examines some of the most significant theories, approaches, and concepts that have been used to compare traditions of religious ethics
  • Discusses recent developments in religious and moral life and new approaches to the study of religious ethics
  • Introduces practices in current religious communities that address the various dimensions of the moral life

  Dedicated to understanding and addressing moral challenges and possibilities in our global times, the Encyclopedia of Religious Ethics is an indispensable resource for anyone interested in the relation between religion and ethics in the modern world, including those involved in general and comparative religious studies, religious and comparative ethics, and moral theory.

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  Artistic Representations of Suffering: Rights, Resistance, and Remembrance

  Mark Celinscak and Curtis Hutt

  Artistic expression frequently engages with the question of suffering. In so doing, it confronts the gravity and complexity of the human condition. This volume investigates the relationship between art and suffering. In short, the contributors to this volume collectively demonstrate that suffering is an undisputed and shareable motivating experience.

  This collection features original essays that focus on the subject of art and suffering, including topics such as the representation of violence and the intersections of art and human rights. Some of the key questions explored are as follows:

  • How has suffering motivated artists around the world?
  • How have artists used their platforms to call attention to human rights abuses?
  • How can suffering be incorporated responsibly and ethically in works of art?
  • What role does art play in the struggle against violations of human dignity and the promotion of building a more equitable world?

  Each essay is complemented by full-color reproductions of artistic works that illustrate the concepts being discussed, including a graphic essay on the topic of “comfort women.”

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  Scripture, Tradition, and Reason in Christian Ethics

  Bharat Ranganathan and Derek Alan Woodard-Lehman

  How should we understand the relationship between Christian ethics and religious ethics? Among comparative, ethnographic, and normative methodologies? Between confessional and non-confessional orientations, or between theology and philosophy? This volume brings together emerging religious ethicists to engage the normative dimensions of Christian ethics. Focusing on scripture, tradition, and reason, the contributors to this volume argue for a vision of Christian ethics as religious ethics. Toward this end, they engage with scripture, interpretation, and religious practice; examine the putative divide between reason and tradition, autonomy and heteronomy; and offer proposals about the normative characterization of conceptual and practical issues in contemporary religious ethics. Collectively, the volume engages Christian thought to make an argument for the continuing relevance of normative methodologies in contemporary religious and theological ethics.

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  The Sorrows of Mattidia: A New Translation and Commentary

  Curtis Hutt and Jenni Irving

  This volume offers a new translation of the Pseudo-Clementine family narrative here known as The Sorrows of Mattidia. It contains a full introduction which explores the obscured origins of the text, the plot, and main characters, and engages in a comparison of the portrayal of pagan, Jewish, and Christian women in this text with what we encounter in other literature. It also discusses a general strategy for how historians can utilize fictional narratives like this when examining the lives of women in the ancient world. This translation makes this fascinating source for late antique women available in this form for the first time.

  Translated by Jenni Irving

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  The Meaning of My Neighbor's Faith: Interreligious Reflections on Immigration

  Alexander Y. Hwang and Laura E. Alexander

  Chapter 15: The Global Refugee Crisis and Religious Ethics: Questions to Ask authored by Laura E. Alexander of the University of Nebraska at Omaha

  The Meaning of My Neighbor’s Faith addresses two of the most critical challenges of our time: immigration and religious diversity. The diverse group of contributors, representing a variety of religious traditions, disciplines, and methodologies, explore “the meaning of my neighbor’s faith” in the age of migration. Each author reflects on the meaning of religious traditions in the context of the unprecedented migrations of people who look and believe differently than their hosts. The volume is the work of scholars dedicated to advancing religious understanding of the debate and discussions on immigration in the light of religious diversity in America and other places in the world.

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  Saṃskṛta-Sādhutā ‘Goodness of Sanskrit’: Studies in Honour of Professor Ashok Aklujkar

  Chikafuma Watanabe, Michele M. Desmarais, and Yoshichika Honda

  Editors: Chikafumi Watanabe, Michele Desmarais (UNO faculty member), and Yoshichika Honda

  Making many original contributions to our knowledge and literature — contributions based on deep thought, extensive research and literary acumen, Dr. Ashok Aklujkar has made a name for himself as a Sanskritist and Indologist. His reputation has been strengthened through frequent presentations in seminars and conferences in many parts of the world and teaching at high-class universities. He has also become known for personal attributes that matter very much for the creation of a successful teacher. It is in honour of this outstanding and world-renowned scholar and teacher that the present volume has been compiled and published.

  Several leading and gifted scholars from across the world have contributed a wide range of interesting research articles to this special volume. The articles deal with major areas of Sanskrit and related studies such as philosophy, religion, linguistics, poetics, art and sociology. Here, as a befitting tribute to the scholarly interests and attainments reflected in the published works of Professor Aklujkar, essays exploring the complexities of Sanskrit grammars and Indic linguistic philosophy take the centre stage. However, care has also been taken to devote sufficient space to poetics and to the relationship between Sanskrit and Pali, which are the two other areas on which Professor Aklujkar has focused from time to time.

  In this collection of absorbing articles authored by senior and well-known scholars, articles of several young scholars of considerable merit appear alongside almost in an equal measure; the latter too have offered the fruits of their original and critical work.

  The result: a panorama of interesting readings that introduce the reader to the unique diversity and richness of Sanskrit from various vantage points.

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  Bethsaida: A City by the North Shore of the Sea of Galilee, vol. 4

  Rami Arav and Richard A. Freund

  Co-authored and co-edited by Rami Arav, UNO faculty member.

  Archaeological excavation of the ancient city of Bethsaida has retrieved a wealth of information on some of the most intriguing topics from 10th century BCE to 4th century CE. This volume includes reports on archaeological and geological findings from 1997 to 2006 and the cultural and historical contexts of the findings.

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  The Continuum Companion to Religion and Film

  William L. Blizek, Julien R. Fielding, Michele M. Desmarais, Birud Sindhav, and Christian Haunton

  Edited by William L. Blizek, UNO faculty member.

  Chapters authored and co-authored by UNO faculty members include:

  Chapter 1: Religion and the Movies, authored by William L. Blizek

  Chapter 2: Using Religion to Interpret Movies, authored by William L. Blizek

  Chapter 3: Using Movies to Critique Religion, authored by William L. Blizek

  Chapter 6: Retelling of Religious Stories, co-authored by William L. Blizek and Julien Fielding

  Chapter 13: Buddhist Movies, authored by Michele Desmarais

  Chapter 14: Hindu Movies, co-authored by Michele Desmarais and Birud Sindhav

  Chapter 17: Indigenous Religions and Movies, authored by Julien Fielding

  Chapter 22: Redemption and Film, authored by Julien Fielding

  Chapter 24: Images of God in the Movies, authored by Christian Haunton

  Chapter 26. Karma and Film, authored by Michele Desmarais

  The Continuum Companion to Religion and Film offers the definitive guide to study in this growing area. The book covers all the most pressing and important themes and categories in the field - areas that have continued to attract interest historically as well as topics that have emerged more recently as active areas of research. Twenty-nine specifically commissioned essays from a team of experts reveal where important work continues to be done in the field and provide a map of this evolving research area. Featuring chapters on methodology, religions of the world, and popular religious themes, as well as an extensive bibliography and filmography, this is the essential tool for anyone with an interest in the intersection between religion and film.

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  Cities Through the Looking Glass

  Rami Arav

  Edited by Rami Arav, UNO faculty member.

  Chapter: The fortified city of Bethsaida : the case of an Iron Age capital city, authored by Rami Arav.

  Essays on the history and archaeology of Biblical urbanism.

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  Changing Minds: Mind, Consciousness and Identity in Patanjali's Yoga-sutra and Cognitive Neuroscience

  Michele M. Desmarais

  This book by Dr. Desmarais is by all means a positive contribution in the field of Yoga, Indology and cognitive neurosciences. It covers Eastern and Western, ancient and modern, religion and metaphysics, psychology and epistemology, as well as the cultural heritage for these. The book is arranged in six chapters using our common concept of show as a metaphysical stage: getting ready for the show; entering the theatre; taking the stage; all the world as stage; following the plot; thickening of the plot; and finally, the lights come up. This has its source in the Samkhya metaphor of prakrti as analogous to a divine actor, on the world stage and in a cosmic drama. Another symbolic metaphor that comes before our mind is that of Ardhanarinatesvara of Lord Siva, depicted as the Cosmic divine Supreme actor endowed with half-female in his person. The reader, the spectator or audience member, symbolizes the Purusa of Samkhya and yoga.

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  Teaching Religion and Film

  Gregory J. Watkins, William L. Blizek, and Michele M. Desmarais

  Chapter 1: What Are We Teaching When We Teach "Religion and Film"?, co-authored by William L. Blizek and Michele Desmarais, UNO faculty members

  In a culture increasingly focused on visual media, students have learned not only to embrace multimedia presentations in the classroom, but to expect them. Such expectations are perhaps more prevalent in a field as dynamic and cross-disciplinary as religious studies, but the practice nevertheless poses some difficult educational issues -- the use of movies in academic coursework has far outpaced the scholarship on teaching religion and film. What does it mean to utilize film in religious studies, and what are the best ways to do it?

  In Teaching Religion and Film, an interdisciplinary team of scholars thinks about the theoretical and pedagogical concerns involved with the intersection of film and religion in the classroom. They examine the use of film to teach specific religious traditions, religious theories, and perspectives on fundamental human values. Some instructors already teach some version of a film-and-religion course, and many have integrated film as an ancillary to achieving central course goals. This collection of essays helps them understand the field better and draws the sharp distinction between merely "watching movies" in the classroom and comprehending film in an informed and critical way.

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  Bethsaida: A City by the North Shore of the Sea of Galilee, Volume 3: Bethsaida Excavation Project Reports and Contextual Studies

  Rami Arav and Richard A. Freund

  Co-authored and co-edited by Rami Arav, UNO faculty member.

  Ongoing archaeological excavation and research continues to uncover history at the biblical city of Bethsaida. Over the past 15 years, experts in the field continue to research and investigate the site, and have retrieved a wealth of information on some of the most critical topics in research from 10th century BCE to 4th century CE. Home to at least three apostles, Bethsaida is the only capital city from the Nile to the Euphrates dating to the Old Testament times, that has been excavated. In this volume, 13 articles shed light on the history of the city and region, and looks at the remains dating from the time of David to the time of Jesus.

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  Blurred Visions: Philosophy, Science, and Ideology in a Troubled World

  Rory J. Conces

  Blurred Visions fills an important gap in the literature on applied philosophy. It explores the relationship between ideological disputes and evidence and attempts to establish the ways in which the intractability of some ideological disputes is a function of the disputants adopting the notion of brute evidence, and the extent to which a change of epistemological venue might affect the resolution and prevention of ideological disputes. It declares that scientific theory and ideology are conceptual frameworks that allow us to make sense of the world that we live in, and contends that recognizing the ideology-ladenness of facts and observations will facilitate the resolution of these disputes by depolarizing their argumentation, thereby making it less likely that they will incite acts of armed aggression.

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  Bethsaida : A City by the North Shore of the Sea of Galilee, vol. 2

  Rami Arav and Richard A. Freund

  Co-authored and co-edited by Rami Arav, UNO faculty member.

  This second volume reports the findings of the Excavation Project from 1944 to 1996. The number of archaeological discoveries exceeded all previous seasons.

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  In the Socratic Tradition: Essays on Teaching Philosophy

  Rory J. Conces

  Chapter 16: A Participatory Approach to Teaching Critical Reasoning, authored by Rory J. Conces, UNO faculty member.

  This practical guide for teaching philosophy brings together essays by two dozen distinguished philosophers committed to pedagogy. Addressing primarily practical issues, such as how to motivate students, construct particular courses, and give educational exams, the essays also touch on theoretical issues such as whether moral edification is a proper goal of teaching ethics. An excellent sourcebook for graduate students just learning to teach as well as for professors searching for new strategies and inspiration or called upon to teach courses outside of their specialties.

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  Jesus and His World: An Archaeological and Cultural Dictionary

  John J. Rousseau and Rami Arav

  Co-authored by Rami Arav, UNO faculty member.

  Designed for teachers, students, and general readers, this book offers reliable and up-to-date information about important sites, persons, customs, and other facts of life that are important for understanding Jesus and his cultural setting. The 108 entries are arranged alphabetically for easy reference. Also includes tables, charts, glossary, bibliography, indexes, and more.

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  The Humanities and Public Life

  William L. Blizek

  Edited by William L. Blizek, UNO faculty member.

  A series of 14 essays providing an account of the nature the humanities in general and several specific humanistic disciplines in particular. Walter Kaufmann, Eugene E Selk, Harvey Leavitt, Nelson Potter.....exploring foreign policy, medicine, public policy, privacy, and education.

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  Justice and Punishment

  J B. Cederblom and William L. Blizek

  Co-edited by J.B. Cederblom and William L. Blizek, UNO faculty members.

  Contents:

  Introduction / J.B. Cederblom

  Punishment, protection, and retaliation / John Hospers

  Concessions to retribution in punishment / Hugo Adam Bedau

  Are questions of desert decidable? / Edmund L. Pincoffs

  Criminal sentencing : some philosophical considerations / Martin P. Golding

  The political feasibility of punishment / James Q. Wilson

  Pursuing justice in corrections / David Fogel

  Punishment and prisons / Norval Morris

  Some problems with theories of punishment / Richard Wasserstrom