Animal Rights Would Ban Pets
by Wesley J. SmithThe ultimate goal of animal rights is not to improve our treatment of animals, but to end all animal domestication. Continue Reading »
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Web Exclusives
Daily Writings from First Things’ Top Writers
The Constitution as a Coward’s Shield and a Barbarian’s Rock
by Pete SpiliakosCalling Donald “Only I can fix it” Trump a constitutionalist empties the term “constitutionalist” of any connection to our actual Constitution, or even to the small-c constitutionalism of respect for the rule of law. Continue Reading »
Speaking of “Deplorables”....
by George WeigelYou’d think presidential candidates would have learned that shooting from the lip in front of deep-pocket donors is asking for trouble. Continue Reading »
Creeping Infallibility
by Jessica M. MurdochAny sort of “creeping infallibility” that would attach the same level of authority to every papal utterance or document must be avoided. To fail to draw appropriate distinctions—whether between binding and non-binding documents of the ordinary magisterium, or between the development and the evolution of doctrine—is to dim the light of the Petrine ministry and impoverish the faithful. Continue Reading »
Patty Duke’s Unforgettable Life
by William Doino Jr.Looking back on her life, Patty Duke emphasized the importance of her faith, long-time husband, and reconciled family, saying that despite everything that had befallen her—abuse, several broken marriages, and a severe emotional illness—“I’ve been richly blessed. When I pray, I never ask for material things. I offer only prayers of gratitude.” Continue Reading »
Surprised by Evil
by Peter LeithartMacbeth’s ambition is to murder time itself. He wishes he could perform one act that would bring the end of acting, one final deed. He wants to drop a pebble into a pool without causing ripples. He finds he can’t, and instead each murder just makes it more difficult for him to stop murdering. Continue Reading »
The Vatican, China, and Evangelical Prudence
by George WeigelRecent remarks by the Vatican’s Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, have fueled speculation about a possible exchange of diplomatic representation between the Holy See and the People’s Republic of China. Unfortunately, the cardinal’s remarks did not address any of the serious questions that have been raised about the evangelical and prudential wisdom of such an agreement at this moment in history. Continue Reading »
Ad Orientem and Absolutism
by Charles ShonkWhen the celebrant turned around to speak to the congregation—to say things like “Pray, brothers and sisters”—the words took on special force; one's awareness of being directly addressed and invited to participate was heightened. Precisely because the priest had turned with the people to address the Lord, his turning back toward them and speaking to them was imbued with greater significance. In other words, vive la différence. Continue Reading »
On Reading Old Books
by Rachelle PetersonReading classics is humbling. Myopia becomes impossible. Millennia of human history unfold with the pages of books—and with an authenticity that no textbook or documentary can mimic. Continue Reading »
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