Death Penalties and the Divine: This two-part essay offers students some critique on the exegesis of the usual biblical texts and a biblical-but-not-necessary perspective on using the death penalty in today’s society. “While I don’t think there are strong practical reasons to keep the penalty around these days—except, perhaps, for exceptional cases—the Biblical evidence in […]
Breaking news from Indy Star: Christian schools tout, um, Christian beliefs and behavior — Students can use this review piece to consider how the popular press reports on matters about which the reporters and editors do not themselves understand, getting some elements right and other elements less than accurate, even while generally providing fair and […]
No 1st Amendment Bar To Deciding Catholic College’s Student Expulsion: The Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court held that a Catholic college’s decision to expel a student is reviewable by the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission. The college expelled an African American student a few weeks before his scheduled graduation, allegedly because the student retained some of the proceeds from […]
A Baby With 3 Genetic Parents Seems Healthy, But Questions Remain: A new report describes in further detail both the technique and the participants in the recent birth of a healthy boy with the blended DNA of the birth mother, father, and an unrelated female donor. This event has prompted numerous ethical and scientific questions. See also […]
Civil Procedure and the Ministerial Exception: Courts should approach the procedural questions left open by Hosanna-Tabor in light of the underlying justification for the ministerial exception. The exception reflects a longstanding constitutional limitation on the competence of courts to resolve “strictly and purely ecclesiastical” questions. To conclude that the exception operates as an affirmative defense […]
God and the Secular Legal System by Rafael Domingo (Cambridge University Press, 2016). This book offers a theistic approach to secular legal systems, systems that are neither agnostic nor atheist. It covers a range of liberal legal approaches to religious and moral issues and subjects them to critical scrutiny from a secular perspective. Essentially a defense […]
New ESPN guidelines recognize connection between sports, politics: An ESPN editor comments on new policy from ESPN on reporting and politics and social issues. Students will be challenged by unpacking the concerns, issues, and ensuing practices as well as by where religion fits into the guidelines.
The Target boycott cost more than anyone expected — and the CEO was blindsided: Target triggered a nationwide boycott last year over same-sex restrooms by a single company blog post without the CEO’s go-ahead. The boycott cost millions in lost sales and added expenses. This article may be a useful case study in presumed wisdom, ethics, company […]
‘You Can’t Give In’: Monty Williams On Life After Tragedy — This depth story discusses in detail the circumstances of the NBA coach and his struggle through the death of his wife from a criminally horrific auto collision to arriving at that peace that passes all understanding. Students in various courses may find this article […]
The World’s First Christian Country? This photo-and-narrative spread from the BCC explores Armenia as the first Christian country, officially embracing Christianity in 301 A.D. Armenia is still 95% Christian by demographics.
