Politics & Religion

5 Noteworthy Quotes from the Week Ending 8/30/2014

Posted by on August 31, 2014 at 8:06 pm

The title says it all. These aren’t necessarily the “Top 5” topics, based on any particular rating scale. But, they are (I thought) notable commentary on some important issues, foreign and domestic. I’ve added a few comments of my own, as usual. 1) UK Prime Minister David Cameron re Islamic State: “We are in the […]

Before You “Claim” II Chronicles 7:14, Read This

Posted by on July 20, 2014 at 9:04 pm

II Chronicles 7:14 is a passage beloved by many Christians. It is particularly popular when churches and parachurch organizations want to encourage people to pray for “national revival” — e.g., during the National Day of Prayer. Just the other day, I came across an Associated Press announcement of a rally in Iowa launching a prayer […]

Does the Treaty of Tripoli Disprove a “Christian” Founding of America?

Posted by on June 29, 2014 at 10:49 pm

“The general Principles on which the Fathers achieved Independence were the only Principles in which that beautiful Assembly of young Gentlemen could unite, and these Principles only could be intended by them in their Address, or by me in my Answer. And what were these general principles? I answer, the general Principles of Christianity, in […]

Cop Ordered to Attend Mosque

Posted by on June 15, 2014 at 11:32 pm

Lately, it seems like every week we read about another Christian in America being told by his (or her) employer and/or the courts that he either has to do something that goes against his religious convictions (e.g., photograph a same-sex wedding ceremony) or must stop doing something that he *thought* was protected under religious freedoms […]

Kennedy’s Thanksgiving Proclamation

Posted by on November 27, 2013 at 6:43 pm

In previous years, I’ve reproduced and commented on Thanksgiving proclamations made by George Washington (1789) and Abraham Lincoln (1863). They are perhaps the two best-known such proclamations and very notable in what they have to say, particularly considering the difficult times that Americans were going through. I encourage you to check them out. If there […]

What to Make of the New Muslim Superhero on the Block

Posted by on November 10, 2013 at 8:32 pm

“Solid female characters, not just superheroes, are essential for the Arab world at this time of unprecedented violence against women.”  — Joumana Merhej, creator of female Muslim superhero “Malaak” (quoted by Salon editor/writer Prachi Gupta) A Facebook friend of mine posted an article announcing Marvel Comics’ new “Muslim Girl Superhero”, which will debut in January […]

Secular Liberalism and the Myth of the Neutral State

Posted by on November 3, 2013 at 9:11 pm

“Statecraft is soulcraft.”  — Aristotle I usually read during my “lunch hour”. Whether working at a job or taking care of stuff at home (or just hangin’ out), that’s a time I usually set aside to get through at least a few pages in one of the books I have in progress. Lately, I’ve been […]

The Ten Liberal/Progressive Commandments

Posted by on September 29, 2013 at 7:56 pm

I’m not the first to try something like this, so some of these may sound a little familiar. Others, not so much. I limited myself to ten for the obvious biblical parallel, but obviously more could be devised. Hope you like it! The 10 Liberal/Progressive Commandments 1. Do not have any other gods before… Nah, […]

A Discussion about Republicans, Evangelicals, and Same-Sex Marriage (Part 2 of 2)

Posted by on July 7, 2013 at 8:48 pm

OK, time to resume the discussion. As explained in Part 1, I left a comment in my Facebook status, saying that I approved of the RNC’s reaffirming its support for traditional marriage and against same-sex “marriage”. A libertarian friend then challenged the wisdom of this stance by Republicans, the audacity of evangelical Christians for speaking […]

A Discussion about Republicans, Evangelicals, and Same-Sex Marriage (Part 1 of 2)

Posted by on June 30, 2013 at 10:09 pm

I give up. I wasn’t gonna do it, but I caved under (imagined) pressure. I wanted to blog on something else this week, but with the recent SCOTUS rulings involving same-sex marriage, I felt sort of obligated to publish some commentary of my own. So, though I had intended to save this for a later […]