Dear Readers,
We are coming to the end of First Things’ two-week digital fundraising campaign. When we started this campaign, we weren’t sure how much support we could expect from our online readers, and we set a goal of $20,000. I’m thrilled to report that, thanks to the generosity of folks like you, we have raised nearly $30,000 thus far!
So now we have a new goal: $40,000 by the end of the day tomorrow. If you haven’t yet given, will you help put us over the top by making a donation today?
The Psalmist exhorts: “Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed.” This is our most important task.
We must resist the assaults on the weakest of the weak—the unborn. We need to fight against the deconstruction of marriage, legalization of marijuana, acceptance of pornography, expansion of gambling, and provisions for doctor-assisted suicide. These and other trends—many encouraged by secular progressives—harm the most vulnerable among us.
We need to stand up for the weak and vulnerable. That means unrelenting criticism of the many goals of lifestyle liberalism, a supposedly “progressive” outlook that works to secure freedoms for the powerful by deconstructing our moral culture.
It also means a positive task. First Things is committed to renewing our moral culture so that it serves the needs of all people, especially the most vulnerable.
Make no mistake, many powerful forces in our increasingly secular culture are trying to push us out of the way. They’ve already done so in many academic institutions. Battles over religious liberty have emerged because they’re trying to do so in the public square.
We are not going to get out of the way! I’m committed to maintaining—strengthening—our witness. And I’m confident that we will prevail, because we have a positive vision: Religious faith brings out the best in our culture, the best in us.
It’s this confident theological witness that makes First Things a special institution. Every contribution makes a difference, from the smallest to the largest. So please take a moment now to lend First Things your financial support—and help us reach our $40,000 goal. On behalf of the staff at First Things, I thank you for your loyalty as a reader, and for your generosity.
Click here to donate now.
Sincerely,
R. R. Reno
