Modern Reflections
Jewish Identity in Modern Day Cuba: An Interplay of Continuity and Transformation
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Jay Sweifach
This study reports on research which examines the subjective experiences, religious practice, and perceptions of a small purposive sample of Cuban Jews to understand how historical, social, economic, cultural, and political changes and shifts have impacted upon, affected, and shaped the Jewish community of Cuba. We distinguish the individual, idiosyncratic personal meaning of what it signifies to Cubans to be Jewish in today's Cuba. We note how the subjective experiences of being a Jew in Cuba must be understood as a reflection of historical change that has occurred on the island throughout the course of the 20th century. An emphasis is placed on how the Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) used the familiarity of prosocial behavior within Communist ideology to promote prosocial religious and cultural practices among Jewish children and adolescents, ultimately triggering a shift in the way Judaism evolved on the island. The data on which this paper is based come from interviews held with Cuban Jews in the cities of Havana and Santa Clara. We encouraged the persons interviewed to tell their stories of what it means to be Jewish in Cuba today and to describe their Jewish ancestry. We asked them to tell us about how they live their lives, how they practice Judaism, in what ways they subjectively experience their lives as Cuban Jews, and in what ways they felt Cuban, but not necessarily Jewish. There are a variety of historical, educational, and contemporary factors which make the island's Jewish community an interesting subject of study.
The Great Dechurching of America, 2000-2020: The Rise of a Secular Worldview as the New Civil Religion in America? View Digital Media
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Derrick Hudson
The United States is experiencing the greatest religious shift in its history, as tens of millions of formerly regular Christian worshippers nationwide have decided they no longer want to attend church. Some observers call these people the dechurched. Since 2000, about 40 million adults in America who used to go to church no longer do, representing about 16 percent of the United States population. This paper explains what factors have led to this “Great Dechurching” in the United States. At the same time, the percentage of Americans who identify as “Religious Nones” and secular has risen dramatically. What factors explain this major shift as well? Finally, this study explores the implications of these two major shifts in American society.
Featured Unraveling the Threads: Case Studies on the Nexus of Terrorism, Political Extremism, and Religion
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Maddie Shorman, Andrew Wong
This interdisciplinary paper meticulously explores the intricate connections among terrorism, political extremism, and religion, employing an in-depth analysis of case studies to unveil the nuanced dynamics at play. By drawing on historical, sociopolitical, and religious contexts, I critically examine specific instances where these elements converge, shedding light on the factors contributing to the genesis and perpetuation of extremist ideologies. This study delves into four specific cases: the clash between Irish Republicans and Unionists (1969-1998), Boko Haram in Nigeria (2002-present), far-right extremism in the United States (2016-present), and the Sri Lanka Easter Bombings (2019). Each case offers a unique lens into the varied manifestations of religiously motivated terrorism, illustrating how historical grievances, socio-economic disparities, and religious narratives intertwine to fuel acts of violence. Particularly, I explore the pivotal role of religion as a catalyst for radicalization and recruitment within extremist groups. Through a detailed analysis of the narratives employed in case studies, I seek to unravel the psychological processes driving individuals toward violent ideologies rooted in religious fervor. This scrutiny contributes to a deeper understanding of the ideological underpinnings that render religious beliefs a potent force within the realm of political extremism. By examining real-world scenarios, the aim is to clarify how geopolitical dynamics contribute to the rise of radical ideologies infused with religious dimensions.
The Protestant Ethic vs. Confucius' Rationalism : Culturally Explaining the Rise of China View Digital Media
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Fang Deng
Who says history won't repeat itself? In the 18th century, Protestant ethics played a crucial role in promoting the rise of capitalism. In the 21st century, Confucius' rationalism has been a major driving force behind China's rise. While few have attempted to explain China's rise in terms of culture and values, my research has confirmed Weber's correctness that the roots of a society's development are its inherent religious and cultural worldview. But China is a religionless society. Russell (1922), in his book, The China Questions, deeply lamented the fact that the Chinese do not have the concept of “sin.” He said: “The Chinese people take Confucian ethics, and not religion, as the standards of society”. Liang, a famous Chinese philosopher, argued (1946): “The foundation of Chinese culture lies in rationality. For thousands of years, the Chinese nation has been blessed by Confucian rationalism”. What is Confucius' rationalism? Why have the Chinese believed in Confucius' rationalism for thousands of years as if it was religion? Why is this culture of rationalism advocated by Confucius still deeply rooted in the hearts of the Chinese in the 21st century? The research I did tried to answer these questions through comparative studies. First, I compared Protestant ethics with Confucian ethics, and the different ways in which they shaped the behavior and actions of individuals in society. Second, I compared Confucius' rationality with Weber's four types of rationality. Finally, I have articulated five unique characteristics of Confucius' rationality.
