News

Katie Couric on High School World Religions Courses

2008-06-23T20:10:00.000-05:00

Good story by the CBS Evening News on a mandatory high school world religions course in Modesto, CA.

Religious Literacy in Paperback

2008-02-24T13:37:00.005-05:00

The new and improved paperback version of "Religious Literacy" is out and about!

"Best Books of 2007" at Washington Post

2007-12-03T08:22:00.000-05:00

The editors at the Washington Post just named "Religious Literacy" one of their best books of 2007--one of only two in the Religion category. In her review in the Post, the noted atheist Susan Jacoby called the book "provocative and timely."

"Customers' Favorite" at Amazon

2007-12-01T08:27:00.000-05:00

"Religious Literacy" has been listed as one of the "Best Books of 2007" in the "Customers' Favorites" category at Amazon.com. The book came in 88th, a tad behind J.K. Rowling's "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows," which was of course number one. But I'll take it.

Publishers' Weekly "Best Books of the Year"

2007-11-05T08:34:00.000-05:00

The end-of-the-year lists are now coming in, and "Religious Literacy" made it onto the Religion list at PW. Fun to be in the company of such books as A.J. Jacobs' "The Year of Living Biblically: One Man's Humble Quest to Follow the Bible as Literally as Possible."

"Religious Literacy" Wins Quill Award

2007-10-22T12:58:00.000-05:00

More good news for "Religious Literacy," which won the Quill Book Award in the Religion/Spirituality category. Other winners include Cormac McCarthy's "The Road" (General Fiction) and Al Gore's "The Assault on Reason" (History/Current Events/Politics). The Quill Awards ceremony takes place on October 22 in New York City and will be will be televised on NBC affiliates on October 27. Al Roker of the Today Show will host the event, which will feature guest appearances by Stephen Colbert, Tom Brokaw, and Tina Brown. If I can get around the fact that I don't have a black tie, I hope to be there to pick up the award.

Booklist: "Top Ten Religion Books" 2007

2007-10-18T21:20:00.000-05:00

Alongside books by Pope Benedict VI, Christopher Hitchens, and Gary Wills, "Religious Literacy" was named one of the top ten religion books of 2007 by "Booklist" magazine.

"True or False: The Major Religions are Essentially Alike"

2007-06-25T12:16:00.000-05:00

False, I argue in this contribution to Newsweek's cover story (July 2-9, 2007) on "Global Literacy." "Coming at the problem of religion from the angle of difference rather than similarity is scary," I write. "But the world is what it is. And both tolerance and respect are empty virtues until we actually understand whatever it is we are supposed to be tolerating or respecting."

"Editor's Choice" at New York Times

2007-06-17T15:11:00.000-05:00

"Religious Literacy" was named an "editor's choice" in the New York Times Book Review (June 17, 2007).

"Religious Literacy" Nominated for 2007 Quill Book Award

2007-06-14T19:56:00.000-05:00

The Quills is a book award chosen by readers, booksellers, and librarians. In the 2007 competition, "Religious Literacy" was nominated in the religion category. Nominees in other categories include Cormac McCarthy's "The Road" (general fiction), Walter Isaacson's "Einstein" (biography/memoir), and Aayan Hirsi Ali's "Infidel" (history/current events/politics).

On Publishers Weekly Bestseller List April and June

2007-06-14T11:31:00.000-05:00

"Religious Literacy" made Publishers Weekly's religion bestseller list for April and again for June. Other books on the June list include Pope Benedict's "Jesus of Nazareth" and Deepak Chopra's "Buddha: A Story of Enlightenment."

Tops Catholic Bestseller List April to July 2007

2007-06-12T17:28:00.000-05:00

Is the Pope Catholic? "Religious Literacy" named the #1 bestseller by the Catholic Book Publishers Association for April, May, June, and July 2007.

BookTV on CSpan2

2007-06-10T20:08:00.000-05:00

Wide-ranging conversation with Alan Jones of Grace Cathedral in San Francisco about "Religious History," the new atheism, gay rights in the Episcopal Church, and other topics.

New York Times "Call for Religious Literacy"

2007-05-12T08:17:00.000-05:00

"At Commencement, a Call for Religious Literacy," by Peter Steinfels in his "Beliefs" column in the "New York Times" (May 12, 2007). "In today's world it is irresponsible to use the word 'educated' to describe high school or college graduates who are ignorant of the ancient stories that continue to motivate the beliefs and behaviors of the overwhelming majority of the world's population."

NYT Bestseller Three Weeks Running

2007-04-12T15:35:00.000-05:00

Thanks to Oprah and Tavis, and to lots of inquiring readers, it's now three straight weeks on the New York Times bestseller list (hardcover non-fiction) for Religious Literacy, this time for the week ending April 7, 2007.

Oprah!

2007-04-05T18:15:00.000-05:00

Yes, the Oprah Winfrey Show. In this segment on Bible courses in public schools I note that you can't understand even the titles of many of her book club selections ("East of Eden," "Rapture of Canaan," "Song of Solomon") without some basic biblical literacy. Friday, April 6.

Tavis Smiley Show

2007-04-05T18:11:00.000-05:00

Wide-ranging discussion of "Religious Literacy" with Tavis Smiley on his late-night PBS show on April 6, 2007. Tavis is a great interviewer with a knack for getting right to the heart of the matter. Click through for a video clip and a transcript.

"Religious Literacy" a New York Times Bestseller

2007-03-29T18:27:00.000-05:00

"Religious Literacy" debuts on the New York Times bestseller list for the two weeks ending March 24 and March 31! Other lists that have recognized the book include the Washington Post bestseller list (week ending March 18), the Wall Street Journal bestseller list (week ending March 24), the USA Today bestseller list (week ending March 25), and the American Booksellers Association Booksense extended bestseller list (week ending April 1).

Mallard Fillmore On Religion and Education

2007-03-28T15:39:00.000-05:00

You know your book is striking a chord when . . .

Time Magazine Cover Story on "Religious Literacy"

2007-03-23T15:29:00.000-05:00

"The Case for Teaching the Bible": April 2, 2007 "Time Magazine" cover story by religion writer David Van Biema explaining "Why We Should Teach the Bible in Public Schools (But Very, Very Carefully)." Van Biema is a great reporter, and this piece is well researched, well written, and timely. "Religious Literacy," writes Van Biema, "presents a compelling argument for Bible-literacy courses." He then devotes the rest of the article to exploring that argument.

The Daily Show with Jon Stewart

2007-03-19T01:09:00.000-05:00

Tuesday, March 20. Comedy Central. Me. Jon Stewart. No joke. Jon explains the difference between Sunnis and Shiites and calls Religious Literacy "a wonderful book. . . very interesting."

Test Your Religion IQ

2007-03-15T16:53:00.000-05:00

If you want to take my Religious Literacy Quiz, here's a reprint of it from the Deseret News of Salt Lake City. Good luck!

"We Live in a Land of Biblical Idiots" (LA Times)

2007-03-14T10:15:00.000-05:00

Op-ed by me calling for academic courses about the Bible in US public schools (March 14, 2007). BTW, I did NOT write the headline!

"Religion in Schools" Debate with Barry Lynn ("On Faith")

2007-03-14T09:56:00.000-05:00

Hosted by the Washington Post/Newsweek web site "On Faith," this debate has me taking on Barry Lynn of Americans United for Separation of Church and State. I think I win, but you be the judge (March 14, 2007).

"Worshiping in Ignorance" (Chronicle of Higher Education)

2007-03-12T23:02:00.000-05:00

Op-ed by me calling for required religious studies courses in US colleges (March 16, 2007).