We’ve entered into a New Era of Tolerance.  Just keep repeating that to yourself and it’ll help you get through the day.   In the meantime, here are three articles that might be useful in orienting you to the brave new world into which we’ve recently arrived:   “Beware of the Gaystapo”   “After Obergefell, Churches are Next”   “Erickson, Sullivan, and What ‘Bigots’ Deserve”   Posted from Carlsbad, California     Read more

    Life’s unfair, the saying goes, and then you die.   But, for men, it may be more accurate to say that life’s unfair and that’s why you die.   But has the difference always been there?  Must it be?  Is it becoming larger or smaller?   Inquiring minds want to know — and this, of course, is a blog for people with inquiring minds.   So here’s an interesting article on the topic:   http://www.realclearscience.com/journal_club/2015/07/07/mortality_gap_why_women_live_longer_than_men_109299.html   Posted from... Read more

    “A man travels the world over in search of what he needs, and returns home to find it.” (George Moore) Posted from Carlsbad, California     Read more

    Incredibly, this woman not only has a law degree but is a member of the United States Senate:   http://mediatrackers.org/wisconsin/2015/07/02/sen-baldwin-1st-amendment-doesnt-apply-individuals?utm_content=buffer264e6&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer   One wonders, by the way, how she arrives at the determination that some parts of the First Amendment don’t apply to individuals while other parts don’t apply to institutions.  How does she distinguish?  The amendment seems fairly simple, on its face.   And, once we’ve established that individuals aren’t entirely covered by the First Amendment and that... Read more

    You might find this . . . astonishing.   Jonathan Cahn, who identifies himself as a “messianic Jewish” rabbi, delivers a strong — and remarkably energetic — speech in Washington DC:   https://www.facebook.com/Nigeriacamera/videos/965938676782270/?pnref=story   (Thanks to Dannee Clyne for bringing these remarks to my notice.)   Posted from Carlsbad, California     Read more

    Luke 12:2-9 Compare Matthew 10:26-33; Mark 4:22; 8:38; Luke 8:17; 9:26   The world in which we now live is, all too often, one of intrigue, backstabbing, covert gossip, secret cattiness, plotting, stealthy slander, and, yes, these days, anonymous online malice.   This world, however, is not forever.  Such things will eventually be done away.   In the meantime, the Lord warns us that every hidden thing will someday be made known.  And, at the same time, he... Read more

    A nice statement on the Islamic idea of the fatwa, typically misunderstood in the West, by the grand mufti of Egypt — in other words, by that nation’s chief issuer of fatwas.   http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB12629032146271714730204581041853312221500   Many years ago, I wrote the (very brief) article on fatwa for an encyclopedia of Islam.  I can’t remember which encyclopedia it was, but I happen to have the text of that article with me here, on my computer.  It might be helpful:... Read more

    . . .  when a group of black pastors urges civil disobedience against the recent SCOTUS ruling on gay “marriage”?   http://www.newsmax.com/Newsfront/bill-owens-caps-gay-marriage/2015/06/27/id/652541/?ns_mail_uid=5388816&ns_mail_job=1626573_07042015&s=al&dkt_nbr=hlkry56w   Accusations of “racism” have long been the weapon of choice for marginalizing and silencing conservative dissent.  But charges of “homophobia” have gained tremendous popularity in recent years.  And they’re very much the rage at the moment.   So how should a good leftist react who wants to remain securely in the middle of the Herd... Read more

    The interesting exchange between Professors Philip Jenkins and William Hamblin continues:   Hamblin 23:  Great Expectations   Jenkins 16:  Argument Turned Upside Down   Jenkins 17: Epistemology and Nihilism   Hamblin 24: Question for Jenkins   Hamblin 25:  U-Kix/Akish   Posted from Carlsbad, California     Read more

    “All happy families,” Leo Tolstoy wrote, “are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.”     Put yourself in the position of these mothers.  Can there be a greater parental unhappiness in this life?  If so, it’s hard to imagine:   http://www.foxnews.com/world/2015/07/05/lost-boys-moms-radicalized-western-jihadists-form-support-group/   Posted from Carlsbad, California     Read more