Afternoon Links — 10.6.10

Michael Liccione explains the Gnostic Impulse . It is, he writes, “cosmic cynicism . . . the attitude which naturally springs up when we disbelieve that the ‘cosmos,’ that vast, more-or-less ordered whole we experience, is the product of a Love and a Reason that are one.”

Someone in Congress proposes a bill to cut Congressmen’s pay by 10% , force executive branch employees to take two weeks unpaid leave, and similar measures to save money.

Cardinal Christoph Schonborn praises two of the alleged Medjugorje seers , despite the rulings of their own bishop.

Kevin O’Brien of EWTN asks What is James O’Keefe doing? and then follows up with a response to his Facebook answer .

Matthew Schmitz of the Witherspoon Institute examines Europe’s Choice on Conscience Protection , which “would create guidelines that encourage member states to force doctors to perform abortions in some circumstances and to make referrals for them in every circumstance.”

The Southern Baptist leader Albert Mohler describes what he calls the “divorce divide” as a “national embarrassment.”

Famous lawyer Alan Dershowitz defends Benedict for his handling of the abuse scandal.

A Russian Orthodox archbishop predicts “a Christian spring” with “the divisions between Christians healed and a rebirth of the faith, gift of God, just as it was preached by the Apostles and preserved by the Fathers.”

Thanks to Mark Shea , CatholicCulture.org , and the New Oxford Review for leads.