Is there a link between atheism, Thanksgiving Day and Puddleglum from Narnia? I wonder on this Thanksgiving Day, therefore, what the atheist does. I admit that he may nurture a simple attitude of gratitude for the good things in his life, but does he stop to ask why he should feel grateful in the first place? Stop and think. Why celebrate Thanksgiving if there is no one to thank? One of the simplest bits of evidence for the existence of... Read more

Today at Suburban Hermit I posted A picture of Quarr Abbey church with a selection from T.S.Eliot’s Four Quartets From the Old, Red Book, a quotation from Albert Einstein on mysticism Commentary on stages five through eight of Benedict’s teaching on humility Go here for your dose of monastic wisdom at Suburban Hermit   Read more

Some time ago when I was out in Belize I happened upon this little Catholic church out in the middle of the jungle. This was the humblest of cement block churches in a clearing in the jungle. It was San Pedro’s. St Peter’s Catholic Church. One of the things I find appealing about the Catholic faith is it’s practical universality. That is to say, it has room for opposites. St Peter’s in the jungle in Belize. St Peter’s in the... Read more

My latest blog post at National Catholic Register looks at the signs of the times and how false religion contribute With the increasing violence in the volcano of the Middle East it is difficult not to ponder the growing threat of war, the bitter enemies of Christ’s Church and the gathering storm clouds. As we do, we also remember that behind all the geopolitical and economic struggles a battle is being waged in the unseen realm. Some time ago Fr.... Read more

My first article for an excellent new website is published today. Those Catholic Men  is a site dedicated to helping strengthen Catholic men in their vocation and calling. The man who never made a mistake never made anything. Likewise, the man who never takes a risk never gets ahead. Whether it is starting your own business, getting engaged, pursuing your dream career, getting a great education or achieving athletic greatness, if you don’t take a risk you don’t take the prize.... Read more

My latest article for The Imaginative Conservative website analyzes the spiritual value of horror films: In The Heart of Darkness Conrad’s madman Kurtz whispers his last words, “The horror. The horror.” The novella is aptly named for it takes the reader into the heart of darkness and is thus a forerunner of the horror genre in literature and film. The horror genre answers the question, “How can literature and film most successfully deal with spiritual realities?” Motion pictures are pictures that move, but spiritual struggles are... Read more

Note: The following is what is called a ‘hymn’. A hymn has strong theology, beautiful poetry, noble and moving sentiments and a simple, worshipful and singable tune. This is not a praise song or a devotional ditty or a song which, if you changed the word ‘Jesus’ to ‘my baby’ could make it into the pop charts. Read it and maybe sing it and ask yourself if you understand all the allusions, the symbols, the Biblical references–and if you do... Read more

Can the religion of peace turn away from shooting schoolgirls in the head, slaughtering people on vacation, selling people into slavery and torching churches? William Kirpatrick writes here for Catholic World Report on the problems of identifying and assisting moderate, modernizing reform-minded Muslims. Given their circumstances, it’s unrealistic to expect the majority of Muslims to adopt enlightened attitudes and practices. In essence, it’s asking them to stand up to their own religion. That’s asking a great deal, especially in light... Read more

Everything English at Suburban Hermit today An Anglican Prayer for Thanksgiving A post about Julian of Norwich–mystic and anchoress Whitby Abbey   Read more

That’s the question non-Catholics often ask. “What’s the big deal? It’s just sex. Why are Catholics so uptight about it?” The attitude among those asking the question reveals the current understanding of sexual activity: it’s kind of like tennis–if you have a good partner you have a good game. In other words, “Sex is about recreation not procreation.” Plenty of CINOs (Catholics in Name Only) pose similar questions. When the American bishops spoke out sharply about the epidemic of pornography,... Read more