Eric Vandenbroeck: At the beginning of the twentieth century, the term “Salafiyya” was linked to a transnational movement of Islamic reform whose proponents strove to reconcile their faith with the Enlightenment and modernity. Toward the end of the twentieth century, however, the Salafi movement became inexplicably antithetical to Islamic modernism. Its epicenter moved closer to Saudi Arabia and the term Salafiyya became virtually synonymous with Wahhabism.
Others
Science, race, religion, witch hunts, and the difference between east and west: Interview With Eric Vandenbroeck
ON JULY 20, 1998, THE COVER OF NEWSWEEK WAS TITLED, “SCIENCE FINDS GOD.” IS THERE A RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN WESTERN SCIENCE AS IT CAME TO BE A RELIGIOUS BELIEF?
Alternative Medicine in Context
When President Xi Jinping visited WHO headquarters for the first time in Geneva in 2017 he brought along a bronze statue showing acupuncture marks on the body.
Case Study: Medical Advancements to the Test
Companies provide some research results to the regulatory agencies in order to gain approval for new products, but they aren’t required to publish these results where other scientists and doctors can evaluate them.
The Question About Current Medical Efficiency and that of Digital Authoritarianism Versus Liberal Democracies
Artificial intelligence (AI) has been with us for over 40 years at least the philosophical idea of it. AI in computers isn’t recent as we have been using the technology for digital devices for a while now from having GPS maps to talking Phone apps.
Case Study: The Little Known Background of Homeopathy
Recently two Homeopathic Anthroposophic doctors in France were banned from practicing medicine due to the (unnecessary) death of two patients, and where similar discussions have been ongoing following my last weeks case study about Acupuncture.
A Few Countries to Look Out for the Next Six Months
Still, ties born of opportunity don’t always last. With their respective forces so close to multiple front lines, potential flashpoints abound. A downturn in their relations could spell trouble for both nations and more than one warzone.
What Vaccines Mean for the Return of the Travel
With early January 2021, hope returned to the world, including hope for restarting travel, as countries began approving the Pfizer/BioNTech, Moderna, and Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccines. Sometime in 2021, when enough people are vaccinated against, and immune from, COVID-19, this could mean a return to globetrotting (or at least less-risky domestic vacations).
Vaccine Passport: Papers, Please and Then?
The premise is straightforward: A digital or paper document will indicate whether individuals have received a COVID-19 vaccination or, in some cases, recently tested negative for the coronavirus.