It is now well over three years since the fall of Communism in Eastern Europe. Scenes of Polish workers carrying Lech Walesa triumphantly on their shoulders, of students dancing on top of the Berlin Wall, and of throngs cheering Vaclav Havel in Wenceslas Square have been replaced by sickening images . . . . Continue Reading »
One sometimes gets the clearest sense that a movement is in deep trouble by considering not the weakest statements of its case, but the very strongest. So it is that sympathetic readers may come to deeply melancholy conclusions as to the state of liberal Protestantism after reading Peter Berger’s . . . . Continue Reading »
Blasphemy is the derogation of God. To conceive of God apart from His holiness is intrinsically impossible. But to derogate God is precisely to deny His holiness. Therefore blasphemy is intrinsically impossible. While I’m not sure the syllogism above would withstand severe logical examination, it . . . . Continue Reading »
Just when you thought it was safe to dismiss the American experience as a compendium of invasions, intrusions, and indiscriminate cruelties, along comes Dan Morgan to spoil the pretty, ugly picture. Correspondent for the Washington Post and a National Book Award nominee for Merchants . . . . Continue Reading »
“ . . . saw little of note except . . . fortunately the Duomo was on that walk . . . ”: from a letter The Duomo cathedral hung its own weather above you. A light fog, full-massed as gray silk, hovered as a helicopter might for some yet-to-ascend saint. You heard noise where hidden workmen . . . . Continue Reading »
The man of steel, the one who routinely saved the planet from the ravages of evil invaders, is dead. Superman is gone. Future generations will grow up not knowing “It’s a bird, it’s a plane . . . it’s Superman!” Last November, Superman was killed by Doomsday, a villainous escapee from a . . . . Continue Reading »
As compiled by Jean Bethke Elshtain, she having discovered a mysterious virus in her computer one day as she worked on yet another piece on whither virtue . . . Dear Nephew, my little popinjay, My mood is nearly jaunty. Please don’t misunderstand. My dyspepsia and misanthropy are intact. But . . . . Continue Reading »
The title of these observations contains two assumptions—that now is indeed a post-socialist era and that there is such a thing as social ethics. It may be worthwhile to examine both assumptions with at least a measure of skepticism. Is this a post-socialist era? One might reply yes on two . . . . Continue Reading »
The purpose in writing this paper is to help focus the current discussion on the issue of homosexuality and military service. It is not to be misconstrued as criticism or an attack on homosexual persons as individuals or a group. Personally, I know and care very much for individuals who have . . . . Continue Reading »
There has always been a segment of the American population that wants to dump the “Star Spangled Banner” in favor of “America the Beautiful.” Proponents of the change argue that the present national anthem is too bellicose and misrepresents the warm and fuzzy people we really are. However, . . . . Continue Reading »
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