It has long been said that dogs can only see in black and white. But scientists have now proven that they do, in fact, perceive colors, though in a slightly different spectrum from humans, and that they derive information from the color of objects that they see. [Read more…]
The First Amendment is going out of style
July 23, 2013 by 52 Comments
According to a recent study, more and more Americans–on some issues a majority of them–no longer believe in the rights guaranteed by the First Amendment. Especially when it comes to religious freedom.
A future king is born
July 23, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Kate Middleton and Prince William had their baby–a boy who may well succeed his grandfather Prince Charles and his father to someday be king of Great Britain. The succession law had been changed so that a firstborn girl could inherit the throne directly as Queen, even if she has a brother–the earlier law giving precedent to any male heir–but that’s a moot point now, as England is set to have three kings in a row after Queen Elizabeth.
The name of the baby has not been announced as of this moment. (Any guesses? If the name is released, someone please post it in the comments.)
Some say that this baby would be the rightful ruler of these United States, that the grievances of our revolution were not sufficient grounds to throw off a lawful Romans 13 authority. At any rate, in the Treaty of Paris–one of our most important founding documents–the king of England grants the former colonies their independence, renouncing his claim to them, so that our current government is, in fact, legitimate. Still, what is the appeal of a monarch? [Read more…]
The winning thread
July 23, 2013 by Leave a Comment
I’m back home after two weeks, having taken my vacation and then going to the Consortium for Classical Lutheran Education conference, trying to get back to normal. Thanks to everyone who posted comments on those general categories while I was incommunicado. There were some good discussions. As I promised, I will announce a winner for the person who started a thread with the most comments. According to my informal, non-counting analysis (correct me if you want to count), the virtual imaginary prize goes to Theological discussions (278 comments) and the thread started by PETE on Baptism. [Read more…]
Recovering the freakishness of Christianity
July 22, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Russell Moore, identified as per our previous discussion as one of those “Lutheran Baptists,” was recently appointed head of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention, which makes pronouncements on public policy for that church body. But Rev. Moore is going far beyond the usual rightwing talking points that have been associated with Christian conservatives. In an interview with Michelle Boorstein of the Washington Post, he gives some thoughtful comments about generic civil religion, abortion, military chaplains, and religious freedom. [Read more…]
Dressing for church
July 22, 2013 by Leave a Comment
On the front page of Saturday’s Washington Post: An article about what people wear to church, raising issues of decorum, modesty, and the meaning of clothes. [Read more…]
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