1. The study of great books is usually contrasted with the use of textbooks and other technical books. It is contrasted, in other words, with study of the studies that show us what we most need to know as productive beings in a free, middle-class society. 2. It’s inevitable on our society that . . . . Continue Reading »
Russia appears to be the only Christian country where artists face legal penalties for blasphemy. The curators of a recent exhibition featuring depictions of Jesus as Mickey Mouse and V.I. Lenin were convicted yesterday for “inciting religious hatred” at a 2007 exhibition. “The . . . . Continue Reading »
A few readers of my Prayers for Christopher Hitchens made the astounding charges that praying for him, and for his conversion as well as his deliverance from cancer — which are both forms of healing — is uncharitable or presumptuous. Among the realities these respondents missed is the . . . . Continue Reading »
As Meghan noted earlier this week, it seems that the YMCA will be dropping the MCA from their name. Men? That became politically incorrect ages ago. Christian? Hardly a factor in their programming for decades. Association? No problem there, but YA doesn’t make any sense. I’m fine with . . . . Continue Reading »
Christopher Barnekov, who runs Scandinavia House in Fort Wayne, sends this report on Tuesday’s election of a new president of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, which he called “a triumph of the Lutheran wing of the Lutheran Church.” The LCMS is the largest and best known of . . . . Continue Reading »
An Associated Press report this morning cites documents in the Roman Polanski extradition case that put the blame for the scapegrace director’s free pass on the U.S. Department of Justice. According to AP, The Swiss government asked the U.S. Justice Department to release sealed transcripts in . . . . Continue Reading »
The Vatican has put forward new norms for handling clerical sexual abuse. The spin in the AP story in the New York Times offers occasion for reflection. Thought #1: The story says, “The bulk of the new document merely codified the ad hoc norms for dealing canonically with pedophile . . . . Continue Reading »
Cuba to release 52 political prisoners, Catholic Church says The Cuban government will free 52 political prisoners, Catholic officials in Havana said Wednesday, the largest release of captive dissidents in decades and a surprise gesture that could help thaw relations with the United States. . . . . Continue Reading »
“He drifted on the water, the man dozing on the inner tube, and didn’t wake till he nudged the wall of scree and shattered rocks at the far end of the reservoir,” begins Drifting Toward the Rocks . Not that there is much of a current in that little lake, formed by piling earth and . . . . Continue Reading »
Since we’re talking about dance this morning, I thought it worth noting this interview with sci-fi writer Catherine Asaro on the similarities between ballet and mathematics: . . . . Continue Reading »
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