Talking Torture

by James Poulos

This I did late last night in a very worthwhile chat with Scott and Mark of the League of Ordinary Gentlemen. Have a listen. . . . . Continue Reading »

30 Apr 2009 0

And Glory Shone Around

by Sally Thomas

Lately I’ve run across some items not marketed with religious purposes in mind, which nevertheless seem full of possibilities. Take this, for example: That’s right: Glow-in-the-Dark Body Cream from American Science and Surplus. They suggest using it as “the ultimate bike-safety . . . . Continue Reading »

30 Apr 2009 0

Glory vs. the Garden Gnome

by James Poulos

Roger Scruton’s written a book on beauty, in case you hadn’t heard. Here’s a nice little review, which frames the beauty question evocatively enough in terms of beauty’s relation, or antagonism, to kitsch. And so I ask: if beauty is the promise of happiness, is the problem . . . . Continue Reading »

30 Apr 2009 0

Blowing Up the University

by James Poulos

Marc C. Taylor, chairman of the religion department at Columbia, wants to “end the university as we know it.” But he wants to do it wrong: “The division-of-labor model of separate departments is obsolete and must be replaced with a curriculum structured like a web or complex . . . . Continue Reading »

30 Apr 2009 0

Mr. VIce President, Please Get a Grip About Swine Flu Pandemic

by Wesley J. Smith

Overall, I have been impressed by the Obama Administration’s handling of the swine flu pandemic, which as these things go, does not appear to be Armageddon. (I am sure the Deep Ecologists are disappointed.) Part of the reason the government was so prepared, according to President Obama, is . . . . Continue Reading »

30 Apr 2009 0

Let My Prayer Rise Before You Like E-Mails

by Ryan Sayre Patrico

Twitter has officially jumped the shark : The leader of Ireland’s four million Roman Catholics has urged social network users to start sending daily prayers by text, Twitter or e-mail. “Make someone the gift of a prayer through text, twitter or e-mail every day,” Cardinal Sean Brady . . . . Continue Reading »

30 Apr 2009 0

Fr. Samir’s 111 Questions on Islam

by David P. Goldman

Samir Khalid Samir, S.J. has devoted half a century to Islamic studies, and the English translation of his 2002 interview book on Islam is a welcome reminder that the subject of Islam can elicit more than shrillness. As an introduction to the subject and as an antidote to anodyne apologies, 111 . . . . Continue Reading »

30 Apr 2009 0

Dylan on Goods Internal to Practices and Not Messing with Texas

by Keith Pavlischek

I don’t know if Bob Dylan ever read Alasdair MacIntyre’s discussion of “goods internal to practices” in After Virtue . But there’s no doubt that he gets it. Here’s Dylan in a nice interview with Bill Flanagan: Flanagan: If a young man considering a career in the arts . . . . Continue Reading »

30 Apr 2009 0

Sacred Art: Sarah Hempel Irani

by Sally Thomas

Many thanks to Judy for pointing me to Hempel Studios. The Virgin Annunciate, Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church, Potomac, MDHere is a sculptor in conversation with the classical and High Renaissance tradition in Western art, treating sacred subjects without subverting their sacredness or . . . . Continue Reading »

30 Apr 2009 0

Icon vs. Curiosity II

by Sally Thomas

On the other hand, if you’re interested in what an icon is, this might be a good place to start. [Rating: . . . . Continue Reading »

30 Apr 2009 0