Support First Things by turning your adblocker off or by making a  donation. Thanks!

Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler!

The Mardi Gras season in New Orleans starts weeks in advance of today’s actual celebration, and is traditionally known as a time for people to celebrate excess in the days leading up to Lent—forty days of fasting. In some ways, though, Mardi Gras has become a celebration of vice before . . . . Continue Reading »

Bailing out the Problem of Evil [3]

Last time I proffered the idea that pain is a problem for the atheist because he has to figure out what to do about said pain - and some of you took that at face value, but I think some of you are rightfully scratching your heads.“Frank - big thinkin’ and everything,” you ought to . . . . Continue Reading »

Is There an “Asian Ceiling” at the Ivies?

Want to the get into an elite college? Get good grades, score high on the SAT, and try not to be born an Asian American : SAT score aren’t everything. But they can tell some fascinating stories. Take 1,623, for instance. That’s the average score of Asian-Americans, a group that Daniel . . . . Continue Reading »

The Political Landscape

I am convinced that, even after the special election in Massachusetts, the Democrats have no idea how big the tidal wave will be in November. The Republicans need ten seats to take the Senate, and thirteen are in play . Maybe more. A tsunami is about to hit the incumbents. Of course, the . . . . Continue Reading »

Form and Substance

“Incline thy ear to me; answer me speedily in the day when I call!” Psalm 102 Forms—let’s call them for the moment manners, little rules of protocol, the observance of ceremonies—are the heart and soul of civilized life. And that is why the conservative, pre- or . . . . Continue Reading »

Tags

Loading...

Filter First Thoughts Posts