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Islam and Human Rights

A few excerpts from the UN’s Report of the Secretary-General on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran : Amputation and corporal punishment, although justified by the authorities as Islamic punishments, remain a serious cause for concern. The death penalty is imposed . . . . Continue Reading »

Toward a Free and Virtuous Society

That’s the name of the seminar I just came back from. Run by the Acton Institute and held all over the country, these seminars provide a basic introduction to the intersection of Christian theology and free-market economics. If you (or someone you know) have wondered about how exactly to help . . . . Continue Reading »

"Walden Pond" Interview Link

I tried to link my interview with Shelton Walden on Pacifica’s WBAI in NYC over the weekend, and the archive was, shall we say, dysfunctional. I now have the right link. If you would like to hear the interview, in which Walden and I talk at length about human exceptionalism, animal rights, . . . . Continue Reading »

Dawkins Attacks Cinderella

Atheist Richard Dawkins has announced that he is relinquishing his post at Oxford University in order to write a book aimed at convincing children not to believe in “anti-scientific” fairy-tales. Apparently, conquering Cinderella is a full-time job. Times Columnist Libby Purves is glad . . . . Continue Reading »

Tin-Cup Urbanism

With rising poverty and unemployment, the War on Poverty would seem an incontestably humane and urgent cause. In the words of Bob Geldof, “Something must be done, even if it doesn’t work.” It’s the sort of remark one would expect from a pop musician, but he has a point: We . . . . Continue Reading »

Pro-Life Laws Are Effective

After thirty-five years of living under Roe v. Wade , many pro-life Americans are understandably weary. This frustration makes them more receptive to the arguments of those who claim that the battle against legal abortion has simply been lost, and that the only sensible goal now is to enact social . . . . Continue Reading »

Womanly Wiles

Elaine Lafferty, pro-choice feminist Democrat and erstwhile editor in chief of Ms. magazine, thinks Sarah Palin is a brilliant woman : Now by “smart,” I don’t refer to a person who is wily or calculating or nimble in the way of certain talented athletes who we admire but suspect . . . . Continue Reading »

Just Another Day at the Hermitage

From Magnificat ‘s summary of the life of St. Martin, an Italian hermit from the 6th century: Martin’s peace, however, was soon disturbed by the appearance of a mysterious serpent that menaced him, stretching itself out before him as he prayed and slithering beside him in his sleep. . . . . Continue Reading »

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