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Fewer Teens Are Having Sex

From First Thoughts

According to a new report by the CDC , fewer kids today are engaging in sexual intercourse during their teenage years than they were just a decade ago. This finding will likely shock Hollywood producers, comprehensive sex ed advocates, and others who think teenagers are mindless bundles of hormones . . . . Continue Reading »

First Links - 11.16.11

From First Thoughts

In Georgia, Some Vote To Stay Dry On Sundays New York Times,  Robbie Brown Faithful Struggle With Scandal At Penn State, Where Football Is Religion Newsweek,  Jacob Bernstein Protest and Reason Public Discourse , R.J. Snell Why China Won’t Listen New York Times , Chen Min The Bible . . . . Continue Reading »

Art That Passes the Meemaw Test

From First Thoughts

Over the past couple of years I’ve been quick to denounce modern art that is overpriced , ready-made , non-visible , or simply by Thomas Kinkade . What I haven’t done (at all, now that I think about it) is highlight contemporary art that is worthy of praise. In a modest attempt at . . . . Continue Reading »

No Cup for the Laity?

From First Thoughts

When Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper, he said “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.” But does that “you” refer—except in special occasions—only to priests? Some dioceses in the United States (such as Phoenix and Madison) are . . . . Continue Reading »

First Links - 11.15.11

From First Thoughts

Obama turns his back on Catholics Washington Post , Michael Gerson Supreme Court to hear challenge to Obama’s health-care overhaul Washington Post , Robert Barnes In West Virginia, snake handling is still considered a sign of faith Washington Post , Julia Duin Studies: Adult stem cells reverse . . . . Continue Reading »

Finding Jesus (Again) at Seminary

From First Thoughts

Timothy Dalrymple on what he lost —and found again—at Princeton Seminary: As he described his retreat, I kept hearing a particular word — a word that surprised me, a word that I had not heard or spoken so openly and frequently for years. Do you want to know what the word was? Jesus. . . . . Continue Reading »

Created in the Image of Mathematics

From First Thoughts

Mathematician Phil Wilson wonders why applied math is even possible : [W]hy should the physical realm emerge from and be rooted in the platonic realm? Why should the mental realm emerge from the physical? Why should the mental realm have any direct connection with the platonic? And in what way do . . . . Continue Reading »

First Links - 11.14.11

From First Thoughts

What Does it Mean to Fear the Lord? Archbishop of Washington website , Msgr. Charles Pope Study Finds Signs of Awareness in 3 ‘Vegetative’ Patients New York Times , Benedict Carey Will This Election Be The Mormon Breakthrough New York Times , Harold Bloom Atheists in U.S. Military Seek . . . . Continue Reading »