The idea of literalism in the Bible is a very new phenomenon. In many ways, it's a product of the scientific revolution.

I'm interested in the origins of the religious experience, how the history of religion has evolved over the last umpteen thousand years, and where religiosity is going in the future. I think that's a topic I've been chewing on for a few years; I would love to eventually work on and produce a book out of it.

Anyone who says that Iran will commit suicide with its nuclear power is a moron and has no business in discussion.

Well, to be clear, I am a scholar of religions with four degrees, including one in the New Testament and fluency in Biblical Greek who has been studying the origins of Christianity for two decades who also happens to be Muslim.

Is it possible that Jesus, unlike 98 percent of his fellow Jews, was literate and educated? Yes, it's possible.

Indonesia, women are absolutely 100 percent equal to men

The truth of the matter is that when you write about religion like I do, you're writing about something that people take very seriously.