This article makes specific what we have known for some time: that Hillary Clinton and President Obama refuse to use the term “Islam” when referring to jihadist attacks. Do they have their head in the sand? Their reasons are that they don’t want to help demonize all Muslims for the extremist views and actions of a few. This is understandable, and in some ways I agree. It won’t do any good to demonize and scapegoat all Muslims for the... Read more

One of the big problems in the strong emotions about Islamic violence is that we in the “Christian” West simply don’t know very much about the Islamic religion. No matter what you feel about Islam, it is worth stopping for a moment to learn more about it. If you want to read more than this short (and only partially informed) post about Islam go here to read what a Christian Islamic scholar can teach you. It’s an excellent article. While... Read more

I’m not a gun owner and the Amish in me makes me tend toward pacifism and non-violence in all cases. However, the lack of common sense on both sides of America’s gun debate is astounding. Liberals who call for gun control can’t seem to see the bumper sticker common sense that “Guns don’t kill people. People kill people” California has some of the strictest gun control laws and the San Bernardino shooter proves that gun control laws don’t stop people... Read more

Pope Francis has been quoted saying, “Fundamentalism is a sickness.” Hey. I’m a graduate of Bob Jones University. Tell me about fundamentalism… Joking aside, is fundamentalism a sickness? I agree. Fundamentalism is a sickness, but that depends of your definition of fundamentalism. I’d say fundamentalism has several characteristics. First is an extreme literalism about religion and religious texts and teachings. This is also combined with legalism–in which adherence to the moral code and strict rules become the be all and... Read more

Do you remember that climactic scene in the third Indiana Jones film? The Nazi sympathizer points a gun at Indiana Jones and says, “It’s time to ask yourself what you believe Dr Jones.” This is the situation the citizens of the secular West must ask themselves. In the first two movies Indiana Jones is pursuing treasure for “fame, glory and wealth”. Then he confronts he Nazis who follow a supremacist, Fascist ideology. They are willing to do anything to take... Read more

Pope Francis continues to be controversial and confusing with his off the cuff remarks. It makes conservatives nervous. My own feeling is that God is in charge and he has given the church the Pope we need at this time. Pope Francis brings a new approach and a fresh attitude to the papacy. If he rocks a few boats and makes a few waves, there’s no harm in that. We need to be shaken up from time to time so... Read more

Today’s post over at Suburban Hermit comments on the fact that the new Star Wars film features the ancient Irish island hermitages of Skellig Michael I have a suspicion that Luke Skywalker is holed up there as a Jedi Knight-Monk. The movie comes out in a few weeks. If you go see it watch out for the link with ancient Christian monasticism. Go here to visit the Suburban Hermit and read the whole post. Read more