Resources

1. The Teachings of Jesus and Muhammad on Morality and Law: The Heart of Legitimacy
The Introduction to this interfaith study guide explains its purpose and provides an overview of its contents.  The teachings of Jesus that are compared with those of Muhammad were selected by Thomas Jefferson as “the most sublime moral code ever designed by man.”  Jefferson placed great importance on the freedoms of religion and expression, and while he admired Jesus he was critical of institutional Christianity.

2. Religion, Legitimacy and the Law: Shari’a, Democracy and Human Rights  
The original version of this paper was presented by Rudy Barnes, Jr. at a Continuing Legal Education program at the 2012 South Carolina Bar Convention in Columbia, SC.  It provides an overview of religion, legitimacy and the rule of law in the US and Islamic cultures.
 
3. The Interfaith Fellowship: A model of purpose and process for interfaith dialogue
 
4. Military Legitimacy: Might and Right in the New Millennium, by Rudy Barnes, Jr. (1996)
This book addresses the role of legitimacy in military operations that are an extension of politics by other means (Clausewitz).  Its relevance is to the relationship between religion, politics and state-orchestrated violence.
 
5. Back to the Future: Human Rights and Legitimacy in the Training and Advisory Mission, Rudy Barnes, Jr.,Special Warfare (January-March 2013)
This article addresses the interrelated roles of religion, legitimacy and human rights in contemporary military operations other than war.

6. Religion, Law and Conflicting Concepts of Legitimacy This paper was submitted to The Center for Ethics and the Rule of Law (CERL) at the University of Pennsylvania Law School in connection with a conference on the Ethics of Negotiation in Armed Conflict held on April 14-16, 2016

7. List of Commentary by Date, Topic and URL from December 1, 2014


#2 (12/8/14): Religion and Reason

#3 (12/15/14): Faith and Freedom

#4 (12/22/14): The Power of Peace

#5 (12/29/14): Religion, Violence and Military Legitimacy

#6 (1/4/15): Religion and New Beginnings: Salvation and Reconciliation in the Family of God  http://www.religionlegitimacyandpolitics.com/2015/01/religion-and-new-beginnings-salvation.html

#7 (1/11/15): The Greatest Commandment: A Common Word of Faith

#8 (1/18/15): Love over Law: A Principle at the Heart of Legitimacy

#9 (1/25/15): Jesus Meets Muhammad: Is there a Common Word of Faith for Jews, Christians and Muslims Today?

#10 (2/1/15): Love, Marriage and Homosexuality

#11 (2/8/15): Promoting Religion Through Evangelism: Bringing Light or Darkness?

#12 (2/15/15): Is Religion Good or Evil?

#13 (2/22/15): Religion and Human Rights
  
#14 (3/1/15): Religion as a Source of Good and Evil (Atheism)

#15 (3/8/15): Wealth, Politics, Religion and Economic Justice

#16 (3/15/15): The Kingdom of God, Politics and the Church

#17 (3/22/15): The Power of Humility and the Arrogance of Power

#18 (3/29/15): God and Country: Resolving Conflicting Concepts of Sovereignty

#19 (4/5/15): Seeing the Resurrection in a New Light

#20 (4/12/15): Faith as a Source of Morality and Law: The Heart of Legitimacy

#21 (4/19/15): Jesus: A Prophet, God’s Only Son, or the Logos?  http://www.religionlegitimacyandpolitics.com/2015/04/jesus-prophet-god-only-son-or-logos.html

#22 (4/26/15): An Introduction to God Is Not One by Stephen Prothero

#23 (5/3/15): A Fundamental Problem with Religion

#24 (5/10/15): Religion, Human Rights and National Security

#25 (5/17/15): Moral Restraints on the Freedom of Speech

#26 (5/24/15): De Oppresso Liber: Where Religion and Politics Intersect

#27 (5/31/15): Liberation from Economic Oppression: A Human Right or Obligation of Faith?   http://www.religionlegitimacyandpolitics.com/2015/05/liberation-from-economic-oppression.html

#28 (6/7/15): The Future of Religion: In Decline and Growing

#29 (6/14/15): Jesus Meets Muhammad Today

#30 (6/21/15): Christians Meet Muslims Today

#31 (6/28/15): Confronting the Evil Among Us

#32 (7/5/15): Reconciliation as a Remedy for Racism and Religious Exclusivism

#33 (7/12/15): Reconciliation in Race and Religion: The Need for Compatibility, not Conformity   http://www.religionlegitimacyandpolitics.com/2015/07/reconciliation-in-race-and-religion.html

#34 (7/19/15): Religion, Heritage and the Confederate Flag

#35 (7/26/15): Fear and Fundamentalism

#36 (8/2/15): Freedom and Fundamentalism

#37 (8/9/15): Balancing Individual Rights with Collective Responsibilities

#38 (8/16/15): How Religious Fundamentalism and Secularism Shape Politics and Human Rights   http://www.religionlegitimacyandpolitics.com/2015/08/how-religious-fundamentalism-and.html

#39 (8/23/15): Legitimacy as a Context and Paradigm to Resolve Religious Conflict

#40 (8/30/15): What Is Truth?

#41 (9/6/15): The European Refugee Crisis and Radical Islam

#42 (9/13/15): Accommodating Religious Freedom under the Secular Rule of Law

#43 (9/20/15) Politics and Religious Polarization

#44 (9/27/15): Religion, the Pope and Politics in the Real World

#45 (10/4/15): Faith and Religion: The Same but Different

#46 (10/11/15): Seeking, Being and Doing on Our Journey of Faith

#47 (10/18/15): God, Money and Politics

#48 (10/25/15): The Muslim Stranger: A Good Neighbor or a Threat?

#49 (11/1/15): A Containment Strategy to Defeat Islamist Terrorism

#50 (11/8/15): Tough Love and the Duty to Protect Life and Liberty

#51 (11/15/15): American Exceptionalism: The Power of Persuasion or Coercion?

#52 (11/22/15): Dualism: Satan’s Evil Versus God’s Goodness

#53 (11/29/15): Religion, Refugees and the Law: Where Jesus and Muhammad Meet Today

#54 (12/5/15): Faith, Hope and Love in a World of Fear, Suspicion and Hate

#55 (12/12/15): The Power of Freedom over Fear

#56 (12/19/15): Taking Lives and Liberty in the Name of God

#57 (12/26/15): Resettling Refugees: Multiculturalism versus Assimilation

#58 (1/2/16): God in Three Concepts

#59 (1/9/16): The Four Freedoms, Faith and Human Rights

#60 (1/16/16): Religion, Politics and Public Expectations

#61 (1/23/16): Who Is My Neighbor?

#62 (1/30/16): The Politics of Loving Our Neighbors as Ourselves

#63 (2/7/16): Jesus Meets Muhammad on Issues of Religion and Politics

#64 (2/13/16): We Are Known by the Friends We Keep

#65 (2/20/16): The Evolution of Faith, Religion and Spirituality

#66 (2/27/16): Conflicting Concepts of Legitimacy in Faith, Freedom and Politics

#67 (3/5/16): The American Religion and Politics in 2016

#68 (3/12/16): Religion, Race and the Deterioration of Democracy in America

#69 (3/19/16): Religion, Democracy and Human Depravity

#70 (3/26/16): Religion, Democracy, Diversity and Demagoguery

#71 (4/2/16): The Freedom of Religion and Providing for the Common Good

#72 (4/9/16): The Causes of Religious Violence and How to Combat Them

#73 (4/16/16): Religious Violence and the Dilemma of Freedom and Democracy

#74 (4/23/16): Standards of Legitimacy in Morality, Manners and Political Correctness

#75 (4/30/16): The Relevance of Religion to Politics

#76 (5/7/16): Religion and a Politics of Reconciliation

#77 (5/14/16): The Arrogance of Power, Humility and a Politics of Reconciliation

#00 (5/21/16): Religion, Legitimacy and Politics (RL&P #1; not posted on J&M or RL&P)         

#78 (5/21/16): Religious Fundamentalism and a Politics of Reconciliation

#79 (5/28/16): Nihilism as a Threat to Politics, Religion and Morality

#80 (6/4/16): Christianity and Capitalism: Strange Bedfellows in Politics

#81 (6/11/16): Health Care: A Right or a Privilege?

#82 (6/18/16): A Politics of Reconciliation with Liberty and Justice for All

#83 (6/25/16): Brexit, Religion and a Politics of Reconciliation in Foreign Policy

#84 (7/2/16): The Need for a Politics of Reconciliation in the Wake of Globalization

#85 (7/9/16): Back to the Future: Race, Religion, Rights and a Politics of Reconciliation

#86 (7/16/16): The Elusive Ideal of Political Reconciliation

#87 (7/23/16): Reconciliation and Reality

#88 (7/30/16): Politics after the Conventions: More Polarization or Reconciliation?

#89 (8/5/16): How Religion Can Bridge Our Political and Cultural Divide http://www.religionlegitimacyandpolitics.com/2016/08/how-religion-can-bridge-our-political.html
     
#90 (8/13/16): The Need to Balance Competition with Cooperation in Politics and Religion

#91 (8/20/16): The Freedoms of Religion and Speech: Essentials of Liberty and Law

#92 (8/27/16): A Containment Strategy and Military Legitimacy (see also #49)

#93 (9/3/16): The Diplomat-Warrior: A Military Capability for Reconciliation and Peace

#94 (9/10/16): Liberty in Law: A Matter of Man’s Law, not God’s Law

#95 (9/17/16): A Moral Revival to Restore Legitimacy to Our Politics

#96 (9/24/16): The Evolution of Religion and Politics from Oppression to Freedom

#97 (10/1/16): The Federal Reserve, Wall Street and Congress on Monetary Policy

#98 (10/8/16): Revolutionaries, Moderates and Reactionaries in a Polarized Democracy

#99 (10/15/16): Partisan Politics after the Election: Back to the Future (see also #85)

#100 (10/22/16): The Need for a Politics of Reconciliation in a Polarized Democracy

#101 (10/29/16): A Revelation in American Politics and Religion
#102 (11/5/16): Religion, Liberty and Justice at Home and Abroad

#103 (11/12/16): Religion and Reconciliation after a Political Apocalypse

#104 (11/19/16): Religion and a Politics of Reconciliation Based on Shared Values

#105: (11/26/16): Irreconcilable Differences and the Demise of Democracy

#106 (12/3/16): Righteous Anger in Religion and Politics

#107 (12/10/16): Partisan Alternatives for a Politics of Reconciliation

#108 (12/17/16): Discipleship in a Democracy: A Test of Faith, Legitimacy and Politics

#109 (12/24/16): Advent: The Coming of a Light that Shines in the Darkness

#110 (12/31/16): E Pluribus Unum, Religion and a Politics of Reconciliation

#111 (1/7/17): Religion and Reason as Sources of Political Legitimacy, and Why They Matter

#112 (1/15/17): Trump versus Lewis and Conflicting Concepts of Legitimacy

#113 (1/21/17): Religion and Reason Redux: Religion Is Ridiculous

#114 (1/28/17): Saving America from the Church

#115 (2/4/17): When Confrontation Trumps Reconciliation in Politics and Religion

#116 (2/11/17): The Mega-Merger of Wall Street, Politics and Religion

#117 (2/18/17): Gerrymandering, Race and Polarized Partisan Politics

#118 (2/25/17): The Need for a Revolution in Religion and Politics

#119 (3/4/17): Ignorance and Reason in Religion and Politics

#120 (3/11/17): Accountability and the Stewardship of Democracy

#121 (3/18/17): Moral Ambiguity in Religion and Politics

#122 (3/25/17): National Security and Military Legitimacy: When Might must Be Right

#123 (4/1/17): Human Rights, Freedom and National Security

#124 (4/8/17): Politics as a Religion and Religion in Politics

#125 (4/15/17): Easter and the Christian Paradox

#126 (4/22/17): The Relevance of Jesus and the Irrelevance of the Church in Today’s World

#127 (4/29/17): A Wesleyan Alternative for an Irrelevant Church

#128 (5/6/17): Loyalty and Duty in Politics, the Military and Religion
#129 (5/13/17): Voices of Reason and Hope in the Cacophony over Religion, Human Rights and Politics  http://www.religionlegitimacyandpolitics.com/2017/05/voices-of-reason-and-hope-in-cacophony.html

#130 (5/20/17): The Freedoms of Religion and Speech: Where Human Rights Begin

#131 (5/27/17): Intrafaith Reconciliation as a Prerequisite for Interfaith Reconciliation

#132 (6/3/17): When Winning Trumps Mercy and Losing is Evil

#133 (6/10/17): Religious Exclusivity and Discrimination in Politics http://www.religionlegitimacyandpolitics.com/2017/06/religious-exclusivity-and.html

#134 (6/17/17): Religious Exclusivity: Does It Matter?   http://www.religionlegitimacyandpolitics.com/2017/06/religious-exclusivity-does-it-matter.html.

#135 (6/24/17): The Evolution of Religion, Politics and Law: Back to the Future?

#136 (7/1/17): Religion, Moral Authority and Conflicting Concepts of Legitimacy
   
#137 (7/8/17) A Sad Day in the U.S.A.

#138 (7/15/17) Religion and Progressive Politics

#139 (7/22/17): Hell No!

#140 (7/29/17): Speaking God’s Truth to Man’s Power

#141 (8/5/17): Does Religion Seek to Reconcile and Redeem or to Divide and Conquer?

#142 (8/12/17): The Universalist Teachings of Jesus as a Remedy for Religious Exclusivism 

#143 (8/19/17): Hate, History and the Need for a Politics of Reconciliation

#144 (8/26/17): Conflicting Concepts of Legitimacy in Politics and War
     
#145 (9/2/17): The Legitimacy of Engagement and Containment National Security Strategies http://www.religionlegitimacyandpolitics.com/2017/09/the-legitimacy-of-engagement-and.html.
#146 (9/9/17): The Evolution of the American Civil Religion and Habits of the Heart http://www.religionlegitimacyandpolitics.com/2017/09/the-evolution-of-american-civil.html.

#147 (9/16/17): The American Civil Religion and the Danger of Riches

#148 (9/23/17): Tribalism and the American Civil Religion  
    
#149 (9/30/17): The 500th Anniversary of the Protestant Reformation: What Does It Mean Today?   http://www.religionlegitimacyandpolitics.com/2017/09/the-500th-anniversary-of-protestant.html.

#150 (10/7/17): A 21st Century Reformation to Restore Reason to American Civil Religion http://www.religionlegitimacyandpolitics.com/2017/10/a-21st-century-reformation-to-restore.html.

#151 (10/14/17): In the Midst of an Islamic Reformation http://www.religionlegitimacyandpolitics.com/2017/10/in-midst-of-islamic-reformation.html.

#152 (10/21/17): The Symbiotic Relationship between Freedom and Religion

#153 (10/28/17): The Moral Decline of Religion and the Seven Woes of Jesus

#154 (11/4/17): What to Believe? Truth or Consequences in Religion and Politics http://www.religionlegitimacyandpolitics.com/2017/11/what-to-believe-truth-or-consequences.html.

#155 (11/11/17): A Politics of Reconciliation that Should Begin in the Church

#156 (11/18/17): Radical Religion and the Demise of Democracy

#157 (11/25/17): A Dark Revelation on Thanksgiving Day

#158 (12/2/17): How Religious Standards of Legitimacy Shape Politics, for Good or Bad

#159 (12/9/17): Religion, Race and Identity Politics

#160 (12/16/17): Can Democracy Survive the Trump Era?

    
#161 (12/23/17): If Democracy Survives the Trump Era, Can the Church Survive Democracy? http://www.religionlegitimacyandpolitics.com/2017/12/if-democracy-survives-trump-era-can.html.

#162 (12/30/17): The Fat’s in the Fire, but We Haven’t Heard the Fat Lady Sing

#163 (1/6/18): Musings of a Maverick Methodist on Diversity in Democracy

#164 (1/13/18): Nationalist Politics and Exclusivist Religion: Obstacles to Reconciliation and Peace
  
#165 (1/20/18): Musings of a Maverick Methodist on Morality and Religion in Politics

#166 (1/27/18): Musings on Conflicting Concepts of Christian Morality in Politics

#167 (2/3/18): Musings on the Search for Truth through Interfaith Dialogue

#168 (2/10/18): Musings on Peacemakers in a Culture of Competition and Conflict
 
#169 (2/17/18): Musings of a Maverick on Money, Wall Street, Greed and Politics
#170 (2/24/18): Musings of a Maverick Methodist on Religion, Freedom and Legitimacy

#171 (3/3/18): Musings of a Maverick Methodist on America’s Holy War

#172 (3/10/18): Musings of a Maverick Methodist on Religion, Spirituality and Politics

#173 (3/17/18): Jefferson’s Jesus and Moral Standards in Religion and Politics

#174 (3/24/18): Musings of a Maverick Methodist on Christian Morality as a Standard of Legitimacy http://www.religionlegitimacyandpolitics.com/2018/03/musings-of-maverick-methodist-on_24.html

#175 (3/31/18): Altruism: The Missing Ingredient in American Christianity and Democracy

#176 (4/7/18): Musings of a Maverick Methodist on the Need for a Moral Reformation

#177 (4/14/18): Musings of a Maverick on Military Legitimacy

#178 (4/21/18): The Legitimacy of an Authoritarian Military in a Libertarian Democracy

#179 (4/28/18): Musings of a Maverick Methodist on the Virtues and Vices of Christian Morality

#180 (5/5/18): Musings of a Maverick Methodist on Nostalgia as an Obstacle to Progress

#181 (5/12/18): Musings of a Maverick Methodist on Christianity and Making America Great Again

#182 (5/19/18): Musings on Morality and Law as Symbiotic but Conflicting Standards of Legitimacy

#183 (5/26/18): Musings of a Maverick Methodist on Mysticism and Morality in Religion and Politics

#184 (6/2/18): Musings on Good Versus Evil and Apocalypse in Religion, Legitimacy and Politics

#185 (6/9/18): Musings on AI as an Existential Threat to Religion, Legitimacy and Politics

#186 (6/15/18): The Prosperity Gospel: Where Culture Trumps Religion in Legitimacy and Politics

#187 (6/23/18): Musings on the Separation of Church and State and Christian Morality in Politics

#188 (6/30/18): Who Are We? Musings on How Our Faith Shapes Our Politics and Who We Are

#189 (7/7/18): Whose America Is This? Musings on Conflicting Standards of Legitimacy in Religion and Politics http://www.religionlegitimacyandpolitics.com/2018/07/whose-america-is-this-musings-on.html.

#190 (7/14/18): Musings on Why Christians Should Put Moral Standards Over Mystical Beliefs

#191 (7/21/18): Musings on America’s Moral and Political Mess and Who Should Clean It Up

#192 (7/28/18): Musings on the Polarization of Christian Morality and Politics

#193 (8/4/18): Musings of a Maverick Methodist on Religious Problems and Solutions in Politics

#194 (8/11/18): Musings of a Maverick Methodist on Changing Morality in Religion and Politics

#195 (8/18/18): Musings on Religion and the Morality of Socialist and Libertarian Politics
#196 (8/25/18): Musings of a Maverick Methodist on Moral Priorities in Religion and Politics

#197 (9/1/18): Musings on the American Civil Religion and Christianity at a Crossroads

#198 (9/8/18): Musings of a Maverick Methodist on the Cost of Discipleship for Pastors

#199 (9/15/18): Who Put Jesus on the Cross and Trump on the Throne? http://www.religionlegitimacyandpolitics.com/2018/09/who-put-jesus-on-cross-and-trump-on.html.

#200 (9/22/18): Musings of a Maverick Methodist on Losing Religion and Finding Faith

#201 (9/29/18): Musings of a Maverick Methodist on the Resurrection of Christian Universalism

#202 (10/6/18): Musings on Moral Universalism in Religion and Politics http://www.religionlegitimacyandpolitics.com/2018/10/musings-on-moral-universalism-in.html.

#203 (10/13/18): Musings on a Common Word of Faith and Politics for Christians and Muslims

#204 (10/20/18): Lamentations of an Old White Male Maverick Methodist in a Tribal Culture
    
#205 (10/27/18): Musings of a Maverick Methodist on a Migrant Tidal Wave
   
#206 (11/3/18): Musings of a Maverick Methodist: Has God Blessed Us or Damned Us?

#207 (11/10/18): Musings on the End Times: God’s Rapture or Satan’s Rupture?

#208 (11/17/18): Christianity and Clashing Identities in Politics and Religion

#209 (11/24/18): Musings of a Maverick Methodist on Christianity and the Legitimacy of Democracy http://www.religionlegitimacyandpolitics.com/2018/11/musings-of-maverick-methodist-on.html.

#210 (12/1/18): Musings of a Maverick Methodist on the Mystical Logos

#211 (12/8/18): Trump and the Apostles’ Creed: Is It a Prayer or a Profession of Faith?

#212 (12/15/18): Musings on the Great Commission and Religious and Political Tribalism

#213 (12/22/18): Musings on Faith and Works: The Unity of All Believers and The Last Judgment

#214 (12/29/18): Musings of a Maverick Methodist on Justice in Religion and Politics
#215 (1/5/19): Musings of a Maverick Methodist on Building Political Walls or Bridges

#216 (1/12/19): Musings of a Maverick Methodist on Authenticity and Political Legitimacy

#217 (1/19/19): Musings of a Maverick Methodist on the Discomfort of Discipleship

#218 (1/26/19): Musings of a Maverick Methodist on the Evolution of the Gospel(s)

#219 (2/2/19): Musings of a Maverick Methodist on Religion, Legitimacy and Politics

#220 (2/9/19): Musings of a Maverick Methodist on the Hypocrisy of American Christianity

#221 (2/16/19): Musings of a Maverick Methodist on America the Blessed and Beautiful--or is it?

#222 (2/23/19): Musings on Loving Your Enemy, Including the Enemy Within

#223 (3/2/19): Musings of a Maverick Methodist on a Post-Christian America

#224 (3/9/19): Musings on the Degradation of Democracy in a Post-Christian America

#225 (3/16/19): Musings on the Evolution of Christian Exclusivism to Universalism

#226 (3/23/19): Musings of a Maverick Methodist on Thinking Outside the Box

#227 (3/30/19): Musings on What the Mueller Report Doesn’t Say About Trump’s Wrongdoing

#228 (4/6/19): Musings of an OWM Going from Mainstream to a Minority in Politics and Religion

#229 (4/12/19): Musings on Religion, Nationalism and Libertarian Democracy
  
#230 (4/20/19): Musings on the Resurrection of Altruistic Morality in Dying Democracies

#231 (4/27/19): Musings on the Legitimacy of Crony Capitalism and Progressive Capitalism

#232 (5/4/19): Musings on the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

#233 (5/11/19): Musings on the Relevance of Jefferson’s Jesus in the 21st Century

#234 (5/18/19): Outsiders Versus Insiders in Religion, Legitimacy and Politics

#235 (5/25/19): Musings of a Maverick Methodist on the Divinity and Moral Teachings of Jesus

#236 (6/1/19): Musings on Military Legitimacy and Murder in Wartime

#237 (6/8/19): The Moral Failure of the Church to Promote Altruism in Politics 

#238 (6/15/19): Back to the Future: A 21st Century Pentecost for the Church

#239 (6/22/19): The Universal Family of God: Where Inclusivity Trumps Exclusivity

#240 (6/29/19): Musings on a Politics of Reconciliation: An Impossible Dream?

#241 (7/6/19): Musings on Democrats, Busing and Racism: It’s Deja Vu All Over Again

#242 (7/13/19): Musings on Sovereignty and Conflicting Loyalties to God and Country

#243 (7/20/19): Musings on Diversity in Democracy: Who Are Our Neighbors? 

#244 (7/27/19): Musings of a Maverick Methodist on Love Over Law and Social Justice

#245 (8/3/19): Musings on the Dismal Future of  the Church and Democracy in America

#246 (8/10/19): Musings on Christian Nationalism: A Plague on the Church and Democracy
    

#247 (8/17/19): Musings of a Maverick Methodist on Shame in Religion and Politics

#248 (8/24/19): Musings on How a Recession Could Transform Religion and Politics in 2020

#249 (8/31/19): Musings of a Maverick Methodist on the Politics of Christian Zionism

#250 (9/7/19): Musings on the Self-Destruction of Christianity and American Democracy

#251 (9/14/19): Musings of a Maverick Methodist on Chaos as a Prelude to a New Creation

#252 (9/21/19): An Afterword on Religion, Legitimacy and Politics from 2014-2019

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