Jim Luce Writes on Faith, Religion and Cults

Drawing from decades of interfaith dialogue and firsthand spiritual exploration across continents, Jim Luce offers a uniquely accessible yet scholarly approach to understanding humanity’s diverse religious landscape. His extensive travels—from Buddhist pilgrimage sites in India to temples in Thailand, from Manhattan’s religious communities to Indonesia’s spiritual festivals—inform writings that bridge academic analysis with lived experience. Whether examining ancient wisdom traditions like Taoism and Buddhism, exploring contemporary religious movements, or investigating the complex dynamics between faith communities and social justice, Luce brings both intellectual rigor and genuine curiosity to questions that shape billions of lives. His work stands out for its commitment to dialogue over debate, seeking common ground while honestly addressing the tensions and controversies that arise when different belief systems intersect in our increasingly interconnected world.

See also: Jim Luce Writes on the Gods

1. 500 Years Before Christ, Lao-Tzu Founded Taoism (June 19, 2023) [draft]
2. Archbishop of Canterbury Condemns Far-Right Exploitation of Christianity (Aug. 11, 2024)
3. Archbishop Óscar Romero’s Prophetic Voice Silenced by Assassin (Aug. 3, 2025)
4. Buddhism and the Universal Concept of Social Responsibility (Originally published in Daily Kos, Jan. 18, 2012)
5. Buddhism for Beginners: Insights from a Non-Buddhist
6. Can I Help Support Education and Orphan Care in Bihar, India? (Originally published in The Huffington Post, date)
7. Celebrating Diwali (June 21, 2023)
8. Combating Religious Intolerance: Education, Dialogue, and Action (July 16, 2014)
9. Feeding the Spirits: Inside Indonesia’s Hungry Ghost Festival (June 2, 2024)
10. From Carpenter to Preacher: The Real-Life Story of Jesus of Nazareth (Dec. 24, 2023)
11. Japanese American Church: Legacy of Faith, Resilience, Community (Aug. 15, 2024)
12. Jesus, as Understood by Artificial Intelligence (March 24, 2024)
13. Lama Thupten Phuntsok: Tibetan Monk’s Life Outside Monastery (Oct. 10, 2019)
14. Meeting with Faith Leaders Across Theological and International Boundaries (June 23, 2020)
15. More than Historical Remembrance, Passover is a Call to Action (June 21, 2023)
16. Most-Photographed Man in the World Prepares to Retire (Stewardship Report)
17. Next Step of Indian Pilgrimage: Mountain Where Buddha Preached (Originally published in Daily Kos, date)
18. On Pilgrimage: Following the Footsteps of Buddha Across N.E. India (Originally published in The Huffington Post, date
19. On the Banks of the Ganges: Continuing the Search for My Soul (Originally published in Daily Kos, date)
20. Our Stand with Martin Scorsese’s Last Temptation of Christ (May 24, 2013)
21. Photo Essay of Bodhgaya, Where Buddha Became Enlightened (Originally published in Daily Kos, date)
22. Pilgrimage Postscript: Pneumonia and Possible T.B. (Originally published in Daily Kos, date)
23. Profound Journeys: Encountering The Dalai Lama and Aiding Children of Manjushree Orphanage (May 9, 2024)
24. Rediscovering the World’s First Great University in Buddhist India (Originally published in Daily Kos, date)
25. Religious Tolerance: Chabad’s Outreach Sparks Debate in Manhattan (July 28, 2025)
26. Remembering Thich Nhat Hanh (1926-2022) (Jan. 21, 2022)
27. Rev. Dr. T.K. Nakagawa, Japanese Buddhist Monk in New York (May 13, 2023)
28. Revisiting Sen Soji Temple in Tokyo: A Journey Through Time (May 1, 2024)
29. Right Reverend Paul Moore, Jr.: Legacy of Compassion and Social Justice (May 20, 2022)
30. Siddhartha Gautama: Enlightened Sage, Global Thought Leader (June 28, 2024)
31. Sikh Identity and Dream of Khalistan: Historical, Cultural Analysis (June 18, 2023)
32. Soka Gakkai: With 11 Million Strong, One Person’s Faith is Another’s Cult (April 27, 2024)
33. Tawang’s Spiritual Legacy: Home to Dalai Lamas, Tibetan Buddhism (Aug. 6, 2023)
34. Touching the Untouchable in a Rural Indian Village (Originally published in The Huffington Post, date)
35. Under the Bodhi Tree in Bodhgaya Where the Prince Became The Buddha (Originally published in Daily Kos, date)
36. Varanasi: Holy City of Buddhists – As Well as Hindus, Jainists, Jews (Originally published in Daily Kos, date)
37. Video: Understanding and Celebrating Ramadan and Eid Mubarak (May 15, 2021)
38. Visiting the Temple of the Golden Mountain High Above Chiang Mai, Thailand (Feb. 12, 2024)
39. Visiting the Timeless Temple of the Emerald Buddha in Bangkok (April 14, 2024)

Jim Luce holds an honorary Doctorate of Divinity degree from the Universal Life Church and brings decades of interfaith dialogue experience to this exploration of humanity’s spiritual landscape.