Patriotism and Fair Weather Fans

For three glorious weeks, we are soccer fans. We read up on our squad, learn the strengths and weakness of the teams in our pool, and even watch a human interest story or two on an American footballer. And yet, when the lights fade on Brazil and the competition comes to a close, I suspect most of that spectating excitement will lapse into dormancy until the next World Cup or summer Olympics. Confronted by the facts of our inconstancy, should we blush, or is it just natural that some sporting spectacles manage to capture our attention only so briefly? Continue Reading »

First Links — 6.16.14

Mary Beard’s Greece: A Walk on the Wise Side
Mary Beard, The Guardian

Book Review: ‘Rebbe’ by Joseph Telushkin and ‘My Rebbe’ by Adin Steinsaltz
Dara Horn, Wall Street Journal

How Losing My Daughter Changed My Faith
Kyle Cupp, The Daily Beast

The Last World Cup: After Brazil 2014, is the Tournament Finished?
Jason Cowley, The New Statesman

Is the Chinese Regime Changing its Policy Toward Christianity?
Peter Berger, The American Interest

History Goes On

At the Liberty Law Blog, my friend John McGinnis has posted a very perceptive criticism of Francis Fukuyama’s recent essay on the 25th anniversary of his famous article, “The End of History.” That extremely influential article, which Fukuyama wrote in the heady days of 1989, . . . . Continue Reading »

First Links — 6.12.14

Homeless and at Home in St. Francisville Peter Lawler, Postmodern Conservative In Praise of Typos John Higg, Us Vs Th3m A Type House Divided Jason Fagone, NY Mag Ayn Rand, Cat Fancier Mallory Ortberg, The Toast Meet David Brat, the Man who Brought Down House Majority Leader Eric Cantor Michael . . . . Continue Reading »

Why Corporations Are People

Cornerstone has published a short essay of mine on whether a corporation qualifies as a person for purposes of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act—a main issue in the Contraception Mandate case the Supreme Court will decide this month. Relying on a comment from Chief Justice John Roberts at . . . . Continue Reading »

Fr. Najeeb Asks For Your Prayers

As you will have read by now, Sunni militants have driven the Iraqi government from the city of Mosul in a sudden and violent offensive. The non-combatant civilian population has been imperiled as a result, among whom are some Dominican friars. One friar living in Mosul, Fr. Najeeb Michaeel, O.P. sent a letter describing the dire situation and asking for prayers. UPDATE: In a second note, the friar has indicated that his initial letter contained inaccurate information based on erroneous reports that he had received. He asked websites who have posted his report to remove it. The situation in his location has stabilized, but remains “very dangerous.” He also reports that “all the brothers and sisters” in his city are “OK.” Continue Reading »

Christians at College

In the name of tolerance, colleges are becoming increasingly unwilling to tolerate Christian student groups. In an attempt to “rid their campus of bias,” university administrators have moved against organizations that restrict positions of leadership to believers. For many Evangelical bible study groups, the core belief often stipulated for leadership is typically a personal commitment to Jesus Christ, belief in his divinity and resurrection, and personal commitment to continence before marriage. Continue Reading »