My oldest son and I listened with rapt attention to a recent NPR report on the persecution of soldiers returning from Iraq with Post-Traumatic Stree Disorder (PTSD). Definitely worth a listen (or a read: the transcripts are online–but I would recommend listening). The report is riveting, heart-breaking and angering all at the same time. The…
Since arriving in Turkey, the Pope has described Islam as a “religion of peace” and stated that Turkey should be admitted into the European union? I can’t way to see what Fr. Neuhaus, George Weigel and the National Review are going to do with those claims.
A recent article in the New York Times provides a fascinating peek inside what could only be described as an evangelistic planning rally for scientism–the religion of Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris, and their ilk. Very entertaining reading, especially for anyone who has ever attended an evangelistic crusade (that is, about 1.2% of NYT readers!). But…
I just returned from a fabulous conference at the Katholieke Universiteit in Leuven, Belgium on “Augustine and Postmodernism: A New Alliance Against Modernity?” (9-11 November), hosted by Lieven Boeve and Tom Jacobs–who did a wonderful job both pulling together a stimulating team of scholars for this colloquium, and then providing unparalleled hospitality that nourished our…
I don’t mean to keep flogging the same horse, but man I find Jim Wallis frustrating! A couple of recent occasions for new ire: 1. On the flight over to Belgium, I caught up listening to some of Krista Tippett’s Speaking of Faith podcasts, including a conversation with former Republican Senator and Episcopal priest, John…
This morning, while trying to undo autumn’s leafy deposits across the backyard, I found myself–much to my surprise–praying for Ted Haggard. To be sure, Haggard represents almost everything I loathe about the Religious Right and the Babylonian captivity of evangelicalism (captured so well in Jeff Sharlet’s Harper’s piece a while back). And news of these…