First Thoughts

Religion and Presidential Voting Patterns

This just in: Jerry Falwell is still dead Continue Reading »

First Links — 10.6.15

The Sympathy of the Puritans
Bria Sandford, Fare Forward

Why Palmyra Should Matter to the West
Daniel Johnson, Standpoint

Discovering the Deep South's Clichés All Over Again
Jack Hitt, Washington Post

Did This Libertarian Senate Candidate Really Sacrifice a Goat and Drink its Blood?
Florida Man, GQ

‘Hamilton' is the Very Model of a Modern Fast-Paced Musical
Leah Libresco, FiveThirtyEight

The Crisis in International Religious Freedom

In September of this year, Baylor University sponsored two lectures on the topic of religious persecution. The presenters were former congressman Frank Wolf (now the Jerry and Susie Wilson Chair of Religious Freedom at Baylor) and Princeton Professor Robert P. George, who currently serves as the . . . . Continue Reading »

First Links —10.5.15

Humane Criminal Justice is Not Hopeless
Robert J. Smith, Slate

Sherry Turkle’s ‘Reclaiming Conversation’
Jonathan Franzen, New York Times

Five Guiding Principles for the Synod
Robert Royal, Catholic Thing

Why Ancient Rome Matters to the Modern World
Mary Beard, Guardian

Supreme Court Confirmation Hearings in 2035
Orin Kerr, Washington Post

Weird Lessons from Macbeth

Justin Kurzel’s new film adaptation of Macbeth benefits from gorgeous cinematography and a highly effective—even overpowering—soundtrack. The scenery and costumes are luscious without seeming showy, and the whole production moves along at a neat clip, clocking in at just over one hundred . . . . Continue Reading »

First Links — 10.2.15

St Therese of Child Jesus: The Youngest Doctor of the Church
Staff, Navhind Times

It's Time for Evangelicals to Speak Up for Animals
Kristen Powers, USA Today

Lies, Carly Fiorina, and Abortion
Ross Douthat, New York Times

The Brontës and the Conmen
Mark Bostridge, Times Literary Supplement

‘Unimaginable' Access to Pope Francis Yields 68,000 Photos
Dave Yoder, National Geographic

Pope Francis's Meeting with Kim Davis

Significant or not?

What a Divorced and Remarried Catholic Wants from the Synod

Regina Einig interviewed Luma Simms, author of My Plea, for the German newspaper Die Tagespost, in which a version of this interview first appeared.As a divorced and remarried Catholic mother who wishes to bring up her children in the faith, do you think that the Church could make things easier . . . . Continue Reading »

Jesus and the Woman at the Well: Seven Points to Keep in Mind

A parody. Continue Reading »

First Links —10.1.15

Benedict-hearts in the Age of Francis
Marc, Patheos

Nothing Like It in 3000 Years of Jewish Literature
Hillel Halkin, Mosaic

Half of US Catholics Disagree with Pope Francis on the Death Penalty
Leah Libresco, FiveThirtyEight

Ben Carson Isn't the Only One a Little Bit Anti-Muslim
Matthew Schmitz, Federalist

The Newly Discovered Tablet V of the Epic of Gilgamesh
Osama S. M. Amin, Ancient History Et Cetera