Some Notes on Religion and Conflict ...

Hiram Hover reflects on the the $25 million Creation Museum that is to open in Northern Kentucky in two years. We're expecting the Reverend Brother Ham to explain to us how Noah got two flesh-eating five ton Tyrannosaurus Rex to live at peace with the chipmunks and rabbits on the Ark.

If you missed it over the weekend, both Rebecca Goetz and Stephen at Big Tent recommend"Blood Feud," Washington Post, 22 May. For Rebecca, the late 20th century story rang familiar with her 17th century research; and, yes, I've got a similar story to tell about Vernon Johns. Feuding over fences seems to have a long pedigree among Virginia farmers.

Caleb McDaniel's"Lakoff on Theology and Politics," at Cliopatria and Mode for Caleb got this response from Brandon Watson at Siris. Lakoff is on life support.

When my friend, Lauren Winner, the author of Girl Meets God, Mudhouse Sabbath, and Real Sex, comes under a severe attack like Astrid Storm's"Lauren Winner: Reformed Sinner or Canny Opportunist," at The Society of Mutual Autopsy, I'm happy to see my colleague, Hugo Schwyzer, coming to Lauren's defense. By the way, Lauren has recently launched her own contribution to the History Blogosphere.

One of the late effects of feminism has been renewed attention to the place of Mary in Christian theology. Recent discussions between Anglicans and Roman Catholics reached agreement that her immaculate conception and bodily ascension into heaven are not contrary to Scripture. Ted Olson's"Anglicans ‘Fudge' on Mary" at Christianity Today, 17 May, is consistent with Protestant insistence that doctrinal belief requires more than non-contradiction. Thanks to Manan Ahmed for the tip.

Finally, there are the first serious reflections on the death of Paul Ricoeur in Russell Arben Fox's"Thoughts on Ricoeur," In Media Res, 23 May; and Scott McLemee's"Remembering Paul Ricoeur," Inside Higher Ed, 24 May. There's also Nathanael Robinson's whimsical"A Ricoeurian License Plate," Rhine River, 22 May.