Middle East
“The World’s First Temple” – New research from Göbekli Tepe
|
New research challenges previously held ideas about Turkey’s most ancient site, Göbekli Tepe.
Paganism
Hittite carving may reveal insights into their religion and cosmology
|
New research may offer insight into how the ancient Hittites possibly incorporated their view of the cosmos into their spiritual and ritual practices.
Paganism
Hagia Sophia, a mosque again, has a pagan connection at its core
|
TWH covers the recent decision by the Turkish government to convert the Hagia Sophia back into a mosque – and the surprising pagan elements in the building’s construction.
Asia
Uncovering the Past: Göbekli Tepe and Aguada Fénix
|
Recent discoveries at Göbekli Tepe and Aguada Fénix provide some hints about the origins of some religious and social traditions.
News
The twilight of secularism in Turkey?
|
TURKEY — On July 15, reports exploded across the world’s media that there had been a military coup against the regime of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (pronounced Erdon) in Turkey. The reaction across the European Union, which Turkey is negotiating to join, was shock and intrigue. Erdogan, who first came to power in 2003 (as prime Minister until 2014, and President since then) is regarded in Europe as a divisive, authoritarian figure with Islamic fundamentalist leanings. Since Erdogan’s ascendancy, Turkey has slowly been transformed from the secular, progressive Islamic vision of Kemal Ataturk into an increasingly religious and conservative state. Such a change has resulted in an increasing amount of pressure on Turkish Pagans for years.