After the latest insane slaughter of school kids in Florida I’ve been pondering, like most everyone else, why and how such murderous, senseless violence can occur. On the one hand we have to simply face the grim fact that there is no reason. It’s irrational rage and senseless violence. That’s why it is so terrifying. It seems unpredictable and un avoidable. However, for some research for a new book I have been delving once more into the thought of Rene... Read more

Joseph Campbell is the author of the seminal work The Hero With a Thousand Faces. His work on myth and the universal appeal of myth has been instrumental not only in the understanding of the importance and function of myth, but it has also influenced a whole generation of filmic storytellers, writers and directors. Christopher Vogler springboarded from Campbell with his book The Writer’s Journey applying Campbell’s work to the art of story structure. Campbell was brought up as a Catholic, but... Read more

There is an increasing amount of talk about the tribalism and division in American society. They topic of the talk is true. There is a great divide in America, but the contours of the divide that are pinpointed are rarely correct. The reasons for the divide are rarely accurate. The identity of the different tribes is rarely true. The real divide in America is not between rich and poor, coast or heartland, Catholic or Protestant, black or white, Democrat or... Read more

I’m a Catholic priest, but Billy Graham is one of my heroes. Why is that? Because I was brought up in a strict Evangelical home where we were used to Billy Graham’s kind of old time religion. We memorized Bible verses and believed that you had to “get saved.” Our heroes were the missionaries and traveling evangelists and we heard them when they came to our church, preached the gospel and called for people to “bow their heads and close... Read more

News broke yesterday about Vatican financial problems on a grand scale. LifeSite News publishes the story here. Their story is based on leaked documents, but like all news stories, corroboration may be needed and further details will shed more light on what has happened. A word of explanation might be necessary for those who are not in the know about the key players. The Papal Foundation is a highly respected Catholic charity established by Pope St John Paul II to... Read more

Fr James Martin SJ is a very popular Catholic priest who is an activist for gay liberation. He has written a book called Building a Bridge–which advocates a better relationship between Catholics and gay people. I commented on the book for CRUX here some time ago. Fr Martin may, of course, say and write what he wants, but like Donald Trump, some of his Twitter comments must be written hastily and without much thought. After one or two were brought... Read more

What about this week’s Florida shooting? Should America have more gun control? I don’t see why conservatives are so touchy about this. I’m in favor of more gun control. Let’s face it, why does anybody need a semi automatic rifle? Have a shotgun or a rifle if you need one for home defense and carry a pistol if you must, but keep the guns small and with limited bullets before you have to re-load, and limit the number of guns... Read more