The Court after Scalia: Neither left nor right – The enduring principle of Free Exercise: Several judicial rulings demonstrate broad and continuing commitment to religious liberty. Despite politically contentious developments, a major purpose of both the Bill of Rights and an independent judiciary is protect certain inalienable rights against the potential excesses of democracy. Because all […]
The meaning of a religious ‘moment’: In this brief, to-the-point comment, Martin Marty cautions about confusing human politics and social engineering with solutions to the human condition. The teacher might use this item as an introduction to the grand claims of political campaigns and the quasi-messianic trappings of political movements.
After crash, Hoboken residents ponder God and fate: This article on victim and observer responses to a commuter train wreck presents common views and reactions to tragedy. Possibly useful for courses in psychology, apologetics, health, and technology.
To Be Christian, Intellectual, and Black: Religion Dispatches has been hosting a conversation prompted by an Alan Jacobs article in Harpers about the current state of Christian intellectuals in America. This part of the discussion links to earlier entries. Those considering cultural proficiency views on Christian campuses may be interested.
Drawing the line: Colorado artist prohibited from disagreeing with govt about marriage files suit — This “pre-enforcement challenge,” which allows citizens to challenge a law that threatens their rights before the government enforces it against them, contests Colorado’s anti-discrimination law as a constraint on religious speech. A graphic designer who specializes in designing and creating custom websites […]
State High School Athletic Association Sued Over Its Refusal To Allow Broadcast of Pre-Game Prayers: A Christian high school filed a lawsuit in federal district court against the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) which refused to allow the school to use the loudspeaker at a state football championship game for pre-game prayer.
Shaun Casey on Religion and Diplomacy: Critics have long charged that the US government has not done a good job in acknowledging the role of religion in foreign policy. PBS talks with US Special Representative for Religion and Global Affairs Shaun Casey about this new office in the State Department.
How Does Molecular Action In The Brain Make Thoughts? — Consciousness is among the BIG problems in biology, psychology, and and philosophy. This brief essay sets out that problem for students along with the opportunity to share or dispute the writer’s hint of optimism for solving it.
Euthanasia at the Paralympics: Does Belgium have a problem with disability? — This article from the Director of The Anscombe Bioethics Centre in Oxford, England, can help students compare and contrast current differing policies and laws emerging on assisted suicide. The writer links the differences to differing views on disabilities.
Brock Turner, Moral Outrage, and Natural Law: This essay uses a highly publicized rape case at Stanford and a new book, After the Natural Law by John Lawrence Hill (Ignatius Press, 2016), to examine the relationship of our moral intuitions and current inconsistencies in public practice and beliefs. Students will be able to grasp the […]
