Waiting for the Savior
History is full of dynamic religious leaders who were not, in the end, the messiah.
19601 Articles by: Opal Lee
Opal Lee is a writer.
Walter Benjamin’s Final Prophecy
Walter Benjamin grew up in a secular family, but later combined Jewish messianism with Marxism in order to reignite past hopes in present struggles.
UAW President Shawn Fain Is Reviving That Old-Time Religion
Mixing Bible verses with class-struggle rhetoric, Shawn Fain’s pro-labor Christianity stands in a rich tradition brimming with scripture-quoting union workers and labor leaders.
The NLRB’s Book of Exodus
A little-known ruling has crushed unions at religious colleges and universities all over the country.
Labor’s Great Awakening Continues
After a year of huge strikes and rising militancy, workers look to carry the momentum forward into 2024.
Dealignment of the Faithful?
It’s tempting to see America’s declining religiosity as nothing but good news for the Democrats. The real picture is more complicated.
In Astoria, Queens, an Iftar in Solidarity With Palestine
Last month, socialist NY Assembly member Zohran Mamdani organized a public iftar in his district in Astoria, Queens, calling for a cease-fire in Gaza — a modest attempt to build international solidarity at the most local political level.
The Holy Spirit Has Nigeria in Its Grip
Nigeria’s Pentecostal pastors have brought their angels and devils into the halls of power.
The Left Side of the Church
The Catholic Church is responsible for a litany of injustices. But the glorious tradition of liberation theology can’t be forgotten.
The Junta and the Monks
Buddhist nationalism has been a central tenet of Myanmar’s politics since independence. A new alliance against the military dictatorship could finally change things.
All-Natural Holistic Germany
A century after Rudolf Steiner, Germany is still in thrall to a spiritualist message that emphasizes the healing power of nature.
Peoples Temple 2.0
South Korea is home to hundreds of Christian offshoots. Many of these groups are more cult than church.
(More) Church Conversions
Even in Europe, where so many have fought and died for Christianity, the churches are closing their doors.
Maxime Rodinson And the Muslim World
French historian Maxime Rodinson transformed our understanding of the Muslim world with books like Muhammad and Islam and Capitalism. We revisit his pathbreaking work.
God’s Own Country
Global religious demographics are in the midst of a slow but inexorable shift.
Losing My Religion
In a region of high inequality and Catholic dominance, Uruguay is twice an outlier.
Wahhabism on Wheels
Saudi Arabia exports oil and Islamic fundamentalism around the world.
Megarich Megachurches
Everything about Nigerian Pentecostalism is huge — the churches, the checkbooks, and the political clout.
Look on My Works, Ye Mighty, and Despair!
Meet the princely imam financing neoliberal development in Central Asia.