The End of the World

Season 2, Episode 4 - Religion and the Pandemic

This week's show explores global religions and the pandemic, with a special focus on religious nationalism's role in pandemic politics. We begin with a survey of religious responses to Covid-19 in South Asia, using this to explore the worrying spread of authoritarianism in response to the pandemic, and how "public health" laws and other measures are being used to target religious and social minorities. We'll also look at how internal religious cleavages are making effective Covid-19 responses difficult, from Pakistan to Afghanistan. We'll also delve into how Hindu nationalism in India has harnessed the popular appeal of Vedic science in India to pass off bogus ayurvedic medical claims as cures for Covid-19, with remedies ranging from turmeric and cow urine to Baba Ramdev's herbal Coronil pills. All of this is made possible, scholars suggest, by the broad support for Hindu nationalism across India. From there we pivot back to the United States, and delve deeper into the politics of Christian nationalism and current debates over Covid-19 public health restrictions. As our authors suggest, at the heart of Christian nationalism is a potent blend of religious, ethnic, political, and economic beliefs that come together to form a distinct political dynamic that is at the heart of current Covid-19 opposition and are intimately tied up with the politics of white racial grievances and social change. The world is becoming increasingly global and diverse, but not everyone is happy about those changes, and some want a return of the so-called "glory days." We'll delve into the hows and whys of some of these beliefs and these dynamics and more in this week's episode. I'm producing these episodes in parallel with a course I'm teaching at California State University, Chico. Each week I explore a different topic related to the end of the world, from doomsday preppers and our deepest fears to the role of religion, media, and politics in thinking about the end of the world. Audio samples: Intro: "Breakfast on the Dark Side of the Moon" by Mana Junkie. 2020 CC-BY-NC (3.0).  http://dig.ccmixter.org/files/mana_junkie/62733 Ft: gurdonark [http://dig.ccmixter.org/files/mana_junkie/62733 Ft: gurdonark] Outro: "Firefly Memories" by Rewob. 2020 Licensed under a CC-BY-NCS (3.0).  http://dig.ccmixter.org/files/rewob/62213  [http://dig.ccmixter.org/files/rewob/62213 ] For additional show notes and materials references in this episode be sure to visit my End of the World page: https://www.chriscrews.com/end-of-the-world-podcast/ [https://www.chriscrews.com/end-of-the-world-podcast/] Thanks for listening. Dr. Crews

Season 2, Episode 3 - Religion and Climate Change

This week's show explores questions of religion and the environment, and specifically issues of climate change. We begin with a look at the concept of Nature-Based Solutions or NBS, and how a variety of groups are promoting religious engagements with nature-based solutions, from green infrastructure projects and solar panels to efforts like the UN's 2030 Decade of Ecosystem Restoration. We'll also look at how religious worldviews shape local communities' ability to adapt to climate change, looking at case studies from Zambia and Malawi where traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) and religious practices are coming into conflict with new forms of charismatic Pentecostal and Evangelical Christianity in Africa, which is leading to a loss of climate resilience and intergenerational conflict over religious rituals and environmental conservation. Finally, we'll look at the role of ecological education in Pope Francis's 2015 Laudato Si' Encyclical and explore how religions can foster a new ecological awareness and hopefully help address the global climate crisis.  I'm producing these episodes in parallel with a course I'm teaching at California State University, Chico. Each week I explore a different topic related to the end of the world, from doomsday preppers and our deepest fears to the role of religion, media, and politics in thinking about the end of the world. Audio samples: Intro: "Soul Searching" by Jeris. CC-BY (3.0).  http://dig.ccmixter.org/files/VJ_Memes/62203 Ft: Radioontheshelf [http://dig.ccmixter.org/files/VJ_Memes/62203 Ft: Radioontheshelf] Outro: "Where the Moon Shines Bright" by Kara Square. CC-BY (3.0).  http://dig.ccmixter.org/files/mindmapthat/62227 Ft: Mr_Yesterday, Stefan Kartenberg [http://dig.ccmixter.org/files/mindmapthat/62227 Ft: Mr_Yesterday, Stefan Kartenberg] For additional show notes and materials references in this episode be sure to visit my End of the World page: https://www.chriscrews.com/end-of-the-world-podcast/ [https://www.chriscrews.com/end-of-the-world-podcast/] Thanks for listening. Dr. Crews

Season 2, Episode 2 - Religion and Violence

World Religions and Global Issues (RELS 332) - Week 2 Class Lecture This week's show continues our focus from last episode on religion and violence, delving into a more systematic look at religion and cultures of terror. After thinking about some of the broad connections between religion and violence, we'll take a closer look at three cases of religious violence and terror from within Christian, Jewish, and Hindu religious circles. We'll consider how divinely-sanctioned religion drives many of these actors, as well as the exclusive claims to religious identity that undergird the religious worldviews of the militant religious activists. As we'll discuss, it is increasingly difficult to disentangle the impacts of globalization from new forms of religious violence that take aim at secular states and politics.    I'm producing these episodes in parallel with a course I'm teaching at California State University, Chico. Each week I explore a different topic related to the end of the world, from doomsday preppers and our deepest fears to the role of religion, media, and politics in thinking about the end of the world. Audio samples: Intro Music: "Chill Till I'm Killed" by septahelix. 2021. CC-BY-NC (3.0).  http://dig.ccmixter.org/files/septahelix/63365 Ft: speck, softmartin, SkyeJordan, MalreDeszik, Apoxode, 7OOP3D [http://dig.ccmixter.org/files/septahelix/63365 Ft: speck, softmartin, SkyeJordan, MalreDeszik, Apoxode, 7OOP3D] Outro Music: "Unify" by Snowflake. 2019. CC-BY (3.0).  http://dig.ccmixter.org/files/snowflake/59709 Ft: Apoxode [http://dig.ccmixter.org/files/snowflake/59709 Ft: Apoxode] For additional show notes and materials references in this episode be sure to visit my End of the World page: https://www.chriscrews.com/end-of-the-world-podcast/ [https://www.chriscrews.com/end-of-the-world-podcast/] Thanks for listening. Dr. Crews

Season 2, Episode 1 - Religion and the Global

World Religions and Global Issues (RELS 332) - Week 1 Class Lecture After taking a few months off this spring we're back in action and with an expanded focus in season 2 of the End of the World podcast. The next few shows will turn from the earlier end of the world focus to questions of religion and globalization. This first show looks at debates over the changing role of religion in the post-WWII period and how the rise of new forms of ethnic and religious nationalism caught many secular proponents by surprise. We'll also begin exploring some of the links between religion and violence and think about how religion acts as both a source of conflict and a potential vehicle for resolving conflicts. As we'll discuss, it is increasingly difficult to disentangle the impacts of globalization on world religions from the rise of new forms of religious nationalism and religious violence.      I'm producing these episodes in parallel with a course I'm teaching at California State University, Chico - World Religions and Global Issues (RELS 332). Each week I explore a different topic related to the end of the world, from doomsday preppers and our deepest fears to the role of religion, media, and politics in thinking about the end of the world. Audio samples: Intro: "Wanderer (Take 2)" by Admiral Bob (BY-3.0). http://dig.ccmixter.org/files/admiralbob77/62202 Ft: SackJo22 [http://dig.ccmixter.org/files/admiralbob77/62202 Ft: SackJo22] Outro: "Per Chance, Universe?" by Tigabeatz (BY-3.0). http://dig.ccmixter.org/files/tigabeatz/62723 [http://dig.ccmixter.org/files/tigabeatz/62723]   For additional show notes and materials references in this episode be sure to visit my End of the World page: https://www.chriscrews.com/end-of-the-world-podcast/ [https://www.chriscrews.com/end-of-the-world-podcast/] Thanks for listening. Dr. Crews

Religion, Ethics, and Martin Luther King's Racial Justice Legacy (Season 2, Episode 1)

In this week's show I turn to the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr and his important role in the U.S. Civil Rights Movement. In particular, I'll look at how his religious and ethical beliefs are reflected in his writings and his actions, and I'll explore what lessons from 1960s racial justice struggles continue to resonate today with the Black Lives Matter movements and struggles for social and racial justice. This is our first new show for 2021, and what a heck of a year it has been so far. As the recent white supremacist insurrection on January 6 in Washington D.C. has made clear, the issues that Dr. King raised are just as relevant today as whey were during his lifetime.  Today's show, Jan 18, 2021, also marks the celebration of MLK Jr. Day, which is now a federally recognized holiday. There is one short video clip included which you can watch by following the links below: Clip 1: Echoes of MLK: "Drum Major Instinct" [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVyCT5lX2Ng ]  You can also find a video version of this show online here [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DRiUDmdCZlo]. Audio samples: Intro Music: "We The People" by texasradiofish. (c) 2016 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial  (3.0) license. http://dig.ccmixter.org/files/texasradiofish/54320 [http://dig.ccmixter.org/files/texasradiofish/54320] Ft: Mykleanthony, Jeris, ElRon XChile Outro Music: "Stardust (Ziggy is coming)" by Kraftamt. (c) 2020 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial  (3.0) license. http://dig.ccmixter.org/files/Karstenholymoly/62493 [http://dig.ccmixter.org/files/Karstenholymoly/62493] Ft: Platinum Butterfly For additional show notes and materials references in this episode be sure to visit my End of the World page: https://www.chriscrews.com/end-of-the-world-podcast/ [https://www.chriscrews.com/end-of-the-world-podcast/] Thanks for listening. Dr. Crews