Professors of History and Religious Studies examine spirituality and society

"Religious beliefs are the most strongly held beliefs in our society," said Dr. G. Howard Miller, associate professor of history and an expert in Christianity at The University of Texas at Austin. "They are absolutes, and absolutes are worth dying for."

While this might seem like a strong statement to a large portion of the world's population, Miller asserts that moderation of religious views, a certain "enlightenment" if you will, is a recent development in society.

"Many of the conflicts we see throughout the world are a revolt against 300 years of domination by Western civilization," said Miller. "Some extremist religious groups are trying to expel the outside influences, primarily from the West, from their culture."