Hugh Horan (Ph.D. Northwestern U., Sociology & African Studies) has spent over a dozen years in Africa and the Near East, most recently working towards the eradication of polio. Comparative religion has been a part of his life, practically more than intellectually, for many years. His specialty is the odd relationship between religions and violence.
To arrange a speaking engagement, .
Topics:
Warring cousins: a hopeful look at Islamic and Western moralities of war.
This looks at the basic historical teachings of classical Christianity and classical Islam, and attempts to demonstrate the strengths and weaknesses of each. Suggestions are then made for developing a synergy between these two traditions, one which might enhance the stability of our troubled planet.
Understanding basic differences among Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
All developed in the same narrow stretch of real estate, all among speakers of different but related Semitic languages. Judaism and Islam emphasize Torah and Qu’ran in ways similar to Christian emphasis on Jesus; they emphasize correct religious behavior (sharia, halakha) in somewhat the same way that Christianity emphasizes correct religious doctrine. Christianity and Judaism, in addition, have an (as yet) unresolved Mother / Daughter issue.
Zoroaster / Zarathustra and something of his influence on other religions.
Zoroaster may have been the earliest of the great prophets, and his religion of light has seriously others: light and darkness, symbolism of elemental things like water and fire, a certain dualism, and clear notions of a lasting afterlife, for example. His followers today are few, but their influence remains on us all. |
