First Links — 5.2.12

Novels, Memoirs, and More for American Religion Courses Randall Stephens,  Religion in American History Blog Paul Ryan and Dorothy Day at Georgetown William McGurn,  Wall Street Journal Occupy Wall Street: A Post-Mortem? Lachlan Markay,  The Foundry Democracies: What They Don’t . . . . Continue Reading »

“Explosive Growth” in Addicted Babies

The other day we discussed whether it is correct to use the law to protect gestating babies from harm they will experience after birth, even if it means criminally punishing their mothers. My perspective was that while we could certainly take the idea too far, the underlying principle is sound. From . . . . Continue Reading »

Exploring Western Iconography

David Clayton delves into iconography—specifically, the more-overlooked realm of  Western  iconography—in  a post  at  New Liturgical Movement . His goal is twofold: first, to explore and educate about the tradition; second, to contribute to the ongoing revival . . . . Continue Reading »

On the Square Today

Elizabeth Scalia on the first rule of being cool : Coolness does not need anyone to define it, but allow me to try. The quality of “coolness” contains within it an attitude of discrete detachment, which is not the same as aloofness. It suggests an intellect attuned to a different . . . . Continue Reading »

Good Grief: Now It’s Pea Personhood

I decided to expand my thoughts, first expressed here, about the NYT column by Professor Michael Marder claiming that it is unethical to eat peas because pea plants can communicate chemically.  I took to the Daily Caller, first describing the article in question, and then noting . . . . Continue Reading »

First, Second, and Third Ways

As others have noted , today is the feast of St. Joseph the Worker, instituted by Pope Pius XII in part to serve as a counterpoint to that high holiday of socialism, May Day (celebrations of which evidently  still persist , albeit in marginal and mildly annoying form). For some related . . . . Continue Reading »