Complicit as Sin — This article considers current freedom-of-religion cases as an extended effort to legitimize discrimination and stereotypes and also harm human dignity. The writer cites legal arguments and court cases as evidence that religious conscience exemptions do tangible and significant harm and that harms from religious freedom claims in the health care context […]
End-of-Life Ethics
End-of-Life Ethics — What does it mean to die well in this culture? This question is being asked with greater urgency and frequency as contemporary societies become more scientifically and medically sophisticated. The church as a source of both pastoral care and moral vision has untapped resources to share.
Meet the Women Apologists
Meet the Women Apologists — This Month’s (April 2015) cover story in Christianity Today looks at how apologetics has long been a bastion of men—until now. This edition examines the work of Holly Ordway, Amy Orr-Ewing, and “a burgeoning group of women who are reshaping apologetics in the West.”
Our Kids: The American Dream in Crisis by Robert Putman
Our Kids: The American Dream in Crisis (Simon and Schuster, 2015) — An interview with Robert Putnam (Bowling Alone, 2001) about his new book and his concern that opportunity inequality, or the gap between the chances for success among children from high- and low-income homes, is increasing and the prospects for getting into a good […]
Support for the Death Penalty by Religious Affiliation
Support for the Death Penalty by Religious Affiliation — There are significant religious divides on the death penalty issue. White evangelical and mainline Protestants have the strongest support for the death penalty, while Hispanic and black Protestants express the least support. White Catholics, like the general public, are almost evenly divided in their views while […]
Gang Ministry: Homeboy Industries, Los Angeles, CA
Homeboy Industries, Los Angeles, CA — This 50 min. audio interview with Jesuit Priest Fr. Gregory Boyle offers a very listen-able discussion about gang intervention, vocation, and ministry as community rather than as “fixing.”
Parochial School – Gay Teacher Case Study: Des Moines, IA
Parochial School – Gay Teacher Case Study: De Moines, IA — Alumni and current students are speaking out against Dowling Catholic High School after a man says he was denied a full-time teaching position for being gay.
Omaha, NE, Case Study: Gay Teacher and Parochial School
Omaha, NE, Case Study: Gay Teacher and Parochial School — This review of local reporting in the Lincoln Journal Star examines the newpaper’s treatment of the story and the larger issue. As a case study, the comments following the article may be instructive for students.
Local Pro-Life and Public School Case Study: Fargo, ND
Local Pro-Life and Public School Case Study: Fargo, ND — A school district in North Dakota has denied two high school students’ requests to start pro-life clubs. The Thomas More Society has sent a demand letter to Superintendent Jeff Schatz warning the district’s decision violates the federal Equal Access Act and the First Amendment.
Local RFRA Case Study: Springfield, MO
Local RFRA Case Study: Springfield, MO — Six months after it was enacted, voters repealed an ordinance to protect gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender residents from discrimination. Final results of the Tuesday vote were close, 51.4% to repeal vs. 48.6% not.
