Religion at the Crossroads Part Two

Religious references can pop up in strange places. GenXer Tom Beaudoin, author of "Virtual Faith," says the spiritual longings of Generation X can be seen in popular culture - especially in pop songs. Writer Kathleen Norris, author of "Amazing Grace," explains why real faith is a daily struggle. Muslim writer Laleh Bakhtiar talks about the Americanization of Islam. Novelist Robert Stone, author of "Damascus Gate," describes the bizarre Jerusalem Syndrome, when tourists to the ancient city suddenly believe they're Jesus or some other biblical figure. And Thomas Cahill, author of "The Gifts of the Jews," recounts how ancient Jews invented monotheism and the modern concept of time.

Tom Beaudoin, a lay preacher and author of "Virtual Faith: The Irreverent Spiritual Quest of Generation X," tells Steve Paulson that popular culture is loaded with allusions to spiritual traditions from Christianity to paganism. But does this spiritual sampling have any real religious significance? Beaudoin says it does. Also, Kathleen Norris tells Steve Paulson that faith is a constant struggle for her. Norris is the author of the best-selling "The Cloister Walk" and "Amazing Grace."

Robert Stone, author of the novel "Damascus Gate," tells Steve Paulson about "Jerusalem Syndrome" — a real psychiatric disorder afflicting many visitors to the city which causes them to believe they are characters from the Bible. Also, Historian Thomas Cahill tells Jim Fleming that ancient Jews created the modern world. Personal identity, linear time and monotheism are ideas we take for granted which were invented by the Jews four thousand years ago. Cahill's books include "The Gifts of the Jews" and "How the Irish Saved Civilization."

Distribution dates:

• week of 10/04/98 - hour 1
• week of 06/13/99 - hour 1