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Matthew Schmitz is a former senior editor of First Things. 

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Move to Retry Leithart

From First Thoughts

The chief prosecutor in Peter Leithart’s recently concluded heresy trial stunned many by converting to Roman Catholicism shortly after bringing his prosecution. Now some are citing his conversion as reason to  declare a mistrial : Three Presbyteries of the Presbyterian Church in America . . . . Continue Reading »

Roger Ebert, Pro-Life

From First Thoughts

In a column published a month before his death, the revered film critic stated his opposition to abortion : My choice is to not support abortion, except in cases of a clear-cut choice between the lives of the mother and child. A child conceived through incest or rape is innocent and deserves the . . . . Continue Reading »

Spring Break’s Over

From First Thoughts

Rachel and Harmony Korine We can get as close as we want so long as we maintain critical distance. This philosophy, primitively grasped, guides the four young women in Harmony Korine’s  Spring Breakers , who skip through frame after frame of booze, bongs, and omnipresent breasts only to . . . . Continue Reading »

Secular Fundamentalists

From First Thoughts

“We will appeal. We’re fighting it. This is not dead. This is a place where religion destroyed American lives.” -American Atheists’ President Dave Silverman protesting a ruling allowing the display of the “9/11 cross” via @yair_rosenberg . . . . Continue Reading »