What’s So Special About Religious Liberty? Law, Philosophy, and Serving God

Last updated on: September 1, 2023 at 12:29 am By Francis J. Beckwith

Earlier this year I published an article in the Civil Rights Law Journal, a perodical of the Scalia Law School at George Mason University. In the article–entitled “What’s So Special About Religious Liberty?: Law, Philosophy, and Serving God“–I make a case for what I call “The Two Sovereigns” view of religious liberty by focusing on several famous establishment clause cases involving speech. Here’s an abstract of the article: This paper addresses the question of the specialness of religious liberty. Rather... Read more

Is Bias Actually Bad?

Last updated on: August 8, 2023 at 10:44 am By Francis J. Beckwith

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I just published an essay over at Public Discourse. Entitled “Is Bias Actually Bad?,” it is a review of the book, Bias: A Philosophical Study, authored by Princeton University philosopher, Thomas Kelly. Here is how it begins: There is a lot of talk these days about bias. We are told that the media have a left-wing (MSNBC, Washington Post, New York Times) or a right-wing (Fox News, Wall Street Journal editorial page) bias; that employers should watch out for unconscious or... Read more

Trueman: A Notre Dame Professor Sues the Student Paper

Last updated on: July 21, 2023 at 11:52 am By Francis J. Beckwith

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Grove City College historical theologian, Carl R. Trueman, has published an interesting opinion piece in the Wall Street Journal. The July 10, 2023 essay concerns a University of Notre Dame professor who is suing one of the school’s independent student newspapers, The Irish Rover. Trueman writes: Stories of students canceling speakers have become commonplace in recent years. Last week South Bend, Ind., saw a new riff on this theme when Notre Dame sociology professor Tamara Kay sued a student newspaper for defamation, alleging that... Read more

ChatGPT and University Life

Last updated on: October 31, 2024 at 10:23 am By Francis J. Beckwith

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In a little over a month is the beginning of the new school year. One of the hot topics up for discussion on university campuses around the world (but most especially in the US) will be the so-called “proper use” of ChatGPT. By all means enter the conversation, but intentionally resist the use of techno-utilitiarian language. When an administer–however well-meaning–frames the discussion in techno-utilitarian terms, e.g., “how best to use information,” do not comply. Instead, employ phrases like “seeking the... Read more

God, Man, and George Bailey: The Theological Anthropology of It’s a Wonderful Life

Last updated on: June 7, 2023 at 5:51 pm By Francis J. Beckwith

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I am happy to be contributing a chapter to a forthcoming book on faith and film, edited by political scientists Carson Holloway (University of Nebraska, Omaha) and Micah Watson (Calvin University). Entitled “God, Man, and George Bailey: The Theological Anthropology of It’s a Wonderful Life,” my chapter begins with this paragraph: It’s a Wonderful Life is one of the most well-known and most-watched films in the history of American cinema. Although often labeled a Christmas movie, it is far more than that.... Read more

New Paper: Dignitatis Humanae: Navigating the Legacy of Vatican II

Last updated on: January 6, 2023 at 6:12 pm By Francis J. Beckwith

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On January 19, 2023 I will be delivering an invited paper at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Catholic Scholars and Artists. I just posted on SSRN the first draft of the paper, which you can find here. Entitled, “Dignitatis Humanae: Navigating the Legacy of Vatican II,” here’s the abstract (which is taken from the paper’s introduction): The Second Vatican Council published its Declaration on Religious Freedom, Dignitatis Humanae, on December 7,1965. At the time, it was seen... Read more

Religious Freedom Institute report: Religious Pro-Life Americans Under Attack

Last updated on: October 19, 2022 at 8:14 pm By Francis J. Beckwith

You can find the report here. The abstract states: A range of dangerous actors in the United States today are violently attacking pro-life institutions. As a result, these institutions are facing an increasingly perilous reality in post-Dobbs America: some of the most fervent opponents of pro-life Americans and their institutions have become more malicious and violent in their attacks, which have included arson, death threats, property destruction, and menacing or vile graffiti. These crimes not only imperil American citizens, their... Read more

Advice Gianni Russo (aka “Carlo Rizzi”) once gave me

Last updated on: October 19, 2022 at 7:57 pm By Francis J. Beckwith

As a kid I worked in my folks’ candy store, Sweets of Las Vegas. I once delivered an expensive basket to Gianni Russo, who played Carlo Rizzi in The Godfather. (Rizzi was married to Michael Corleone’s sister, Connie). Arriving at his high rise condo door, I said, “That’ll be $104.” “Can you break a 20?” “No sir. I’m sorry. I don’t have change.” He then gave me $120 and said, “Good delivery boy never has change.” Never forgot that. Read more

The Heart Has Its Reasons – a reflection on 15 years after my reversion to Catholicism

Last updated on: August 7, 2022 at 11:28 pm By Francis J. Beckwith

April 28, 2022 marked 15 years since I returned to the Catholic Church. Last week I published an essay reflecting on my journey. It appeared in Notre Dame’s Church Life Journal. Here’s how it begins: The heart has its reasons, which reason does not know. We feel it in a thousand things. —Blaise Pascal In summer 2021, when I realized that on April 28, 2022 it would be exactly fifteen years since I had returned to the Catholic Church, I began ruminating... Read more