The Black Plague of the 14th century contributed to the rise of economic and political freedom, but the COVID pandemic is contributing to the loss of economic and political freedom.
The Black Plague of the 14th century contributed to the rise of economic and political freedom, but the COVID pandemic is contributing to the loss of economic and political freedom.
The Bubonic Plague, also known as the "Black Death," wiped out nearly half the population of 14th century Europe. That is the bad news. But the plague was also a major factor in the rise of economic and political freedom.
It is easy to get caught up in technological progress, eagerly awaiting whatever technology has in store for us. But do we actually want everything that technology can do?
American evangelicalism today is plagued with scandals, politics, moral failures, and a confused message. This is largely due to a failure of catechesis. So says the editor of Eerdmans. But first evangelicals need a catechism, or at least distinct teachings, as opposed to letting everyone form their own theologies.
We have become risk averse, says Damon Linker, a trend heightened by government and technology. He discusses the provision in the Infrastructure bill just passed that requires automakers to install devices that will prevent drunk drivers from starting their cars. Thus machines will take away human agency and serve as our guardians.
Polarization and conflict in a society are not necessarily bad, but they can be. Unity often comes from the perception of a common enemy. And existing divisions can be overcome by the formation of new alliances.
Americans, we keep hearing, are polarized. But it's worse than that. There is polarization in some of the very groups we are polarized into. Each political party has its own divisions, with one study finding Americans divided into nine different political factions.
Reactions to recent court decisions indicate that many Americans have forgotten the importance of the rule of law, without which, free republics are impossible.
In light of same-sex marriage, some couples and pastors are wanting to repudiate state laws about marriage in favor of a church wedding that will marry couples "in the eyes of God," if not the government. A theological commission explains why that is not a good idea.
Many of the "essential workers" lauded in the early days of the pandemic would lose their jobs for defying President Biden's vaccine mandate. Though a court has stayed that plan, vaccination requirements have sparked a worker rebellion that is already wreaking havoc.
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