God and Government: France Edition, Pope Francis Visits the Holy Land, and More
May 29, 2014
Summary: Why France is cracking down on Scientotologists, Jehova's Witnesses, and other religions it considers cults, and we're in the studio with French-American guitarist Stephane Wrembel. Plus, the Pope's visit to the Holy Land.
Le Secte, Le Culte, and the Ideals of the French Republic
May 29, 2014
If you remember anything you learned about the French Revolution -- anything that doesn’t involve cake -- it’s probably the famous three-word motto: liberty, equality, fraternity. For more than 200 years, those ideals have served as the pillars of the French Republic. While the staunchly secular government officially recognizes all faiths as equal, it puts strict limits in those religions is sees as a threat to national identity.
We begin our journey to France with a look at Scientology, Jehova's Witnesses and other religions the government classifies as dangerous "cults." Reporter Gerry Hadden brings us the story. Thanks to producers Jocelyn Frank and Jonathan Miller.
John Bowen, professor of sociocultural anthropology at Washington University in St. Louis Nacira Guénif-Souilamas, professor of sociology at the University of Paris
The photos below are from our story on cults in France, all taken by Gerry Haden.
'An Awakened Dream': In the studio with Stephane Wrembel
May 29, 2014
We end our journey to France with a truly special treat - our own private concert with the French-American guitar virtuoso, Stephane Wrembel. Wrembel is a spiritual seeker, preferring to explore many paths over one particular faith. If he does approach religion in some way, it’s through making music - he thinks of the creative process as a mystical journey. He tells us, "This is what I hope for my audience: to bring people with me in an awakened dream, in a state of dreaming."
We weren't able to include his full live performance in our radio broadcast, so please enjoy his complete songs below.
Stephane Wrembel, jazz guitarist. His new album is called Dreamers of Dreams.
Pope Francis Visits the Holy Land, Leaves a Trail of Powerful Images
May 29, 2014
In an unscripted moment on his first trip to the Holy Land, Pope Francis rested his head against "The Wall" - the concrete barrier that divides Israel from the West Bank in Palestine. Later he placed a prayer in the cracks of the Jewish sacred site, the Western Wall, and called Muslims his "brothers" at the Dome of the Rock, the third-holiest spot in Islam. These and other symbolic gestures were his way of calling for peace, and a two-state solution, during his three-day visit to the Holy Land.
