This post is part of a feature from Patheos called Head to Head.This week, I’m debating the Catholic Channel’s Dr. Gregory Popcak. The question: is a deity necessary for morality? This week’s question was inspired by Patheos Atheist writer Peter Mosley’s story on Theism’s Morality Glitch. Dr. Greg is the sort of guy who helped save my marriage in year seven, has helped my depression, and sorted out issues for many members of my family. By contrast, as a philosopher... Read more

My brother and I were close enough, anti-Soviet enough, and 1980’s enough to weep when the two brothers died in Red Dawn. You had to be there. I once convinced him to trade me all his toys for a stick of gum, but Daniel had the last laugh. He complained to Mom and she gave Daniel back all his toys and he had already chewed the stick of gum. He won. I lost. There is story told about Old Scar the Bear,... Read more

One of my all-time favorite television programs was Dad’s Army. This was the story of the aging home guard that was called up to defend Great Britain against a possible German invasion. The show, like Hogan’s Heroes, takes a mildly irreverent look at the good war. My favorite character, Corporal Lance-Corporal Jack Jones, a Victorian fighting a different war, is apt to say: “Don’t panic.” He was often panicking when he said it, but forget that for a moment. He was right: “Don’t panic.”  I... Read more

Americans have always struggled with limits. Even our Victorian era was more expansive than the one over the water. If we want it, Americans will find a way to justify it. This has been true for a very long time about our consumption of food and buying stuff. Over my lifetime, it has become true of sexuality. Instead of moderating my eating and drinking, I look for my Diet Coke and a bag of fat-free chips. If I can’t have... Read more

Taking a plane trip is wonderful because I always meet someone new. On the day this was written, I was in an airport I shall not name where I met an older couple who had been married sixty-two years. They were still fussing about who got which coffee and whether his placing it on the seat made it more likely to be spilled. When I tried to sit down next to her, she quickly told me that this seat belonged... Read more

Much of pop culture is horrible, but then much of pop culture has always been horrible. Have you read the words to any given Stephen Foster song? Just now the number one song in America is by Wiz Khalifa and is entitled See You Again. He has managed to be honored by the city of Pittsburgh while making a sex tape during his failed marriage and being a spokesperson for the use of cannabis. When faced with with someone who is popular... Read more