Evangelist Billy Graham once said of fathers, “A good father is one of the most unsung, unpraised, unnoticed, and yet one of the most valuable assets in our society.” As we celebrate Father’s Day 2013, I want to thank the fathers in my life:  my own dad, and my dear husband, whose constant love for our three children has been an inspiration.    Thanks to my father, Bud Davis, for working so hard to support our family of... Read more
Wrap your mind around this (can you see it?). It’s a Bornean Rainbow Toad. God, in His infinite wisdom and creativity, designed a panoply of creatures so diverse, so fantastic, so colorful, so… well, so HUNGRY. And because no one—not even a lowly amphibian—likes to be someone else’s lunch, God thought up a bunch of cool ways to hide. It’s called “cryptic camouflage” and it allows a toad or a moth or a caterpillar to blend into the environment so... Read more
Remember that Holy Thursday liturgy, at which Pope Francis washed the feet of a young Muslim girl in a Roman detention facility? Well, that humble gesture seems to have gained the attention of Islamic adherents, who now hope that the pope will take another step forward by declaring that Islam is a peaceful religion. According to MENAFN-Arab News, the Middle East North Africa Financial Network, an envoy from Al-Azhar has expressed hope that ties between the Muslim world and the... Read more
Many people of faith choose to wear a cross around their necks.  It’s a small but constant reminder–to the wearer and to all with whom he or she comes in contact–of an enduring commitment to Christ, and an intent to apply Scriptural wisdom in all of life’s rigors and vagaries. But what about a tattoo? There’s a kind of tattoo which screams of rebellion.  Satan and serpents and scorpions:  Those are motifs which threaten the viewer, effigies of evil.  These... Read more
The Arizona Court of Appeals has again rejected a legal challenge brought by the Freedom From Religion Foundation opposing the state’s Day of Prayer.  The group had attempted to show that Governor Jan Brewer, by declaring the May 2 Day of Prayer, had violated the constitutional separation of church and state. The Court of Appeals unanimously ruled that the Wisconsin-based Freedom From Religion Foundation, which filed suit in March 2010, lacked legal standing because they have not proved that they... Read more
Dirty books, quickly and carelessly written—almost 200 of them. That’s the legacy of Nicolas-Edme Restif de la Bretonne, prolific French author whose works showcased the sordid aspects of French life and society in the 18th century. Restif’s writings included a plan for legalizing and regulating prostitution, as well as a vast array of novels, plays, and essays on a wide range of topics. His 16-volume autobiography, Monsieur Nicolas, begins with stories of sexual experiences beginning in early childhood, and continues through... Read more
On Thursday, Dominicans and art aficionados will watch with interest as a 16th century bronze plaque hits the auction block in Dorchester, England. Duke’s Auctioneers in Dorchester will auction a 9×11” plaque which depicts the Virgin Mary and the Child Jesus distributing rosaries while St. Dominic preaches, holding a rosary in each hand. The bronze plaque—which was probably crafted by a Venetian sculptor—is in excellent condition, and is expected to bring £600 to £1,200 ($700 to $1,400) in the June... Read more
Glenn Beck has lost his voice—and strengthened his vision. FoxNews’ popular conservative radio and television talk show host has recently learned that his vocal chords are temporarily paralyzed, leaving him unable to speak. Doctors expect that the condition will come and go; but Beck expects to regain his voice soon. For now, unable to voice his thoughts on Monday’s show, he resorted to using black and red markers to tell his viewers what he wanted to say. And it was... Read more
Just in time for next month’s World Youth Day gathering in Rio de Janeiro, the health minister of Brazil has ended the South American nation’s on-line “I am happy being a prostitute” campaign.  Some posters carried that message; others in the series teased, “I cannot be seen without a condom, my love.” In a country where prostitution is legal, the campaign was designed to promote condom use and reduce the stigma against sex workers. Health minister Alexandre Padilha told reporters... Read more
Tim Drake, writing in the Catholic Education Daily, reports that Georgetown University has responded to the canon law petition submitted last week to Cardinal Donald Wuerl, Archbishop of Washington. The petition, originated by The Exorcist author William Peter Blatty, called for the University to either comply with canon law or be stripped of its right to call itself a “Catholic” institution. Drake explains: “Our Catholic and Jesuit identity on campus has never been stronger,” Rachel Pugh, director of communications told... Read more
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