First Links — 5.17.12

A Startling Thesis on Islam’s Origins
Malise Ruthven,  Wall Street Journal

I’d Rather Be a Catholic Than Be Respectable
Catherine Pepinster,  The Guardian

Archdiocese Rebukes Georgetown over Sebelius Speech
Dan Merica,  CNN

Marilynne Robinson on Democracy, Religion, and Reading in America
Joe Fassler,  The Atlantic

Why So Many Ph.D.s are on Food Stamps
NPR