Opinion by Ann Heberlein, doctor of ethics at Lund University 2012 That question has been posed by countless people since the reports of the terrorist attack in Norway. Who is Anders Behring Breivik? Those questions – why and who – always come up when we are confronted with hatred and violence. We...
Ola Wikander, the author of ” Gud är ett verb”. Judaism, Christianity and Islam all developed after the Old Testament was written, but the first half of the Bible is nonetheless the foundation for these three religions. Who wrote these texts, and how have they influenced our history and the...
Over recent years, social anthropologist Christer Lindberg has combined his old photography hobby with his research. He has made several trips to North America, where he has documented impressions with his camera, including Native American culture. His trips have taken him to old Native American territories in the American Mid-West...
There are two billion Christians in the world and the religion is gaining new ground in developing countries. Researchers predict that by 2020, 65% of the world’s Christians will live in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Mika Vähäkangas, Professor of Mission Studies at Lund University, explains the growth by saying...
Sufism is gaining ground. Embraced by the West and united in a desire to present a peaceful, democratic picture of Islam, this group of Muslims is expanding in many countries. Simon Stjernholm from Lund University has studied one of the most successful Sufi movements in the 21st century in his...
Opinion by Anne-Christine Hornborg, Professor 2014 Why would a history of religions scholar study coaching and lay therapy? My interest in healing and identity-forming practices developed during repeated field work among the indigenous Mi’kmaq people of Canada in the 1990s to carry out research on their traditions and rites. Their rites...
Opinion by Ulf Ellervik, Professor in organic chemistry 2012 Think of a random four-figure number, perhaps 4352, and then count backwards in sevens. Soon all thoughts have vanished and the mind feels completely clear. This exercise was used in a study where 17 men and women who were in love...
There are trade links between Scandinavia and the United Arab Emirates – but a lack of personal relationships, reflected Lund University student Jaleh Taheri. Today, the association Women for Sustainable Growth strengthens ties between women from Sweden and the UAE. “It was great to see how the women met on...
Opinion by Leif Stenberg, Professor, Centre for Middle Eastern Studies at Lund University What started as local protests in March 2011 has developed into a deeply tragic conflict. In Syria a bloody civil war is still ongoing. The regime, as well as a number of the many armed groups that...
