Observatory of Religions

The 21st century will be or not be religious. This Malraux prophecy is being fufilled: the impact of religion on political, economic, financial and social spheres is making front page news. Observatory of Religions’ (L’Observatoire des religions) perspective, that is; the observation, analysis and commentary of religious issues in a current affairs framework, is purely unreligious. L’Observatoir des Religions was created by Philippe Simonnot, economist and author of numerous works on history and economics.

Women, sex and one night stands: an increasing trend

Women, sex and one night stands: an increasing trend

Young women are more promiscuous than men, according to a survey that claims the average 21-year-old has had nine sexual partners compared with seven...
Egypt – Israel: Before the war of Kippour

Egypt – Israel: Before the war of Kippour

Before the war of Kippour in 1973, Sadat had persuaded King Faisal to use petrol as an arm against the state of Israel... Yet...
The Faith Of Scientists: In their own words

The Faith Of Scientists: In their own words

From Galileo to Richard Dawkins, from Einstein to Stephen Hawking, THE FAITH OF SCIENTISTS illuminates the spiritual beliefs of scientists—in their own words. Edited...
American Politics’ relationship with God and Race

American Politics’ relationship with God and Race

Religion has been a powerful political force throughout American history. When race enters the mix the results have been some of our greatest triumphs...
Algeria: A hostile ground for non-Islamic beliefs?

Algeria: A hostile ground for non-Islamic beliefs?

The Constitution provides for freedom of belief and opinion and permits citizens to set up institutions whose aims include the protection of fundamental liberties...
Toward a New Paradigm for Law and Religion

Toward a New Paradigm for Law and Religion

The continued vitality of religion has motivated many scholars in sociology, anthropology, political theory, international relations, and philosophy to revisit their assumptions about how...
The impact of religion on international trade

The impact of religion on international trade

Economists have increasingly emphasized the role of institutions in shaping economic activity. Among the many studies on institutions, however, there has been relatively little...
First Catholic church opens in Qatar

First Catholic church opens in Qatar

More than six thousand faithful worshippers came together for the inaugural celebration of the first Catholic church in the Arab Emirate of Qatar. ...
Religion (illustrative)

Economic Analysis of the Legal Regulation of Religion in the US and Germany

In this paper, I analyze the legal regulation of religion in the US and Germany from rational choice perspective and the perspective of new...
An Ecstasy of Folly, Prophecy and Authority in Early Christianity

An Ecstasy of Folly, Prophecy and Authority in Early Christianity

Who is a true prophet ? Who has real access to divine realms of knowledge ? Early Christian communities accused each other’s prophets of...
Soldiers pressured to adopt fundamentalist Christian beliefs

Soldiers pressured to adopt fundamentalist Christian beliefs

Soldiers pressured to adopt fundamentalist Christian beliefs ’Widespread violations of religious freedom in US military’ Source : AP Tokapa, Kansas, Dec 19 : A foudation that...
The Trial of the Templars

The Trial of the Templars

2nd Edition Malcolm Barber University of Reading Paperback The Templars fought against Islam in the crusader east for nearly two centuries. During that time the...
The French Wars of Religion, 1562–1629

The French Wars of Religion, 1562–1629

2nd Edition Series : New Approaches to European History (No. 36) Mack P. Holt George Mason University, Virginia Hardback This book is a new edition...
Roman Religion

Roman Religion

Examining sites that are familiar to many modern tourists, Valerie Warrior avoids imposing a modern perspective on the topic by using the testimony of...
What the Bible says about homosexuality

What the Bible says about homosexuality

Under what circumstances this condemnation became part of the jewish, christian and moslem communities is a question that has been widely argued. By Philippe...
Religion (illustrative)

God’s Trade, Economics of judaism, christianism and islam

Philippe Simonnot, graduate of the Institute of Political Studies of Paris, Doctor of Economics, Director of The Observatory of Religions, senior fellow of the...
The Forging of Races

The Forging of Races

Race and Scripture in the Protestant Atlantic World, 1600–2000 Colin Kidd University of Glasgow Colin Kidd University of Glasgow This book revolutionises our...
Religion (illustrative)

In Europe, God Is (Not) Dead

Stockholm - Late last year, a Swedish hotel guest named Stefan Jansson grew upset when he found a Bible in his room. He fired...
Religion (illustrative)

Catholicism more powerful in Scotland

The Catholic Church has become closely associated with an open and positive attitude toward Scottish independance Part of the growing interest in the country’s national...
Religion (illustrative)

A long list of Christian Zionists running the United States

All Jews are not Zionists, and all Zionists are not Jews. Starting with Bush, Cheney, and Ashcroft - plus many in Congress such as...
Religion (illustrative)

“Judaism’s Sexual Revolution : Why Judaism (and then Christianity) Rejected Homosexuality”

When Judaism demanded that all sexual activity be channeled into marriage, it changed the world. The Torah’s prohibition of non-marital sex quite simply made...