Source City churches are sometimes quiet and peaceful solitudes, caves of silence where a man can seek refuge from the intolerable arrogance of the business world. One can be more alone, sometimes, in a church than in a room in one’s own house. At home, one can always be routed out and disturbed (and one should not resent this, for love sometimes demands it). But in these quiet churches one remains nameless, undisturbed in the shadows, where there are only... Read more
There is an art to good politics This, however, is artless. And cynical. First Lady Michelle Obama brought renewed energy to the NAACP today . . .one day before the nation’s largest civil rights group is expected to condemn what it calls racist elements in the Tea Party movement. Tea Party members have used “racial epithets,” have verbally abused black members of Congress and threatened them, and protestors have engaged in “explicitly racist behavior” and “displayed signs and posters intended... Read more
Over at Patheos, I am still getting my feet wet and doing what little I can to contribute to next week’s focus on Catholicism, as The Future of Religion Series Continues. If you haven’t yet checked out the series, do so; you’ll find it fascinating. This week, the site is focusing on Judaism, and you might enjoy availing yourself of some interesting writing and opining on the subject (I am looking at you, especially, Hantchu!); you may enjoy spending some... Read more
RKF, MLK Landmark for Peace Memorial A few days ago I linked to a piece by J. Peter Nixon and his thoughts and actions in anticipation of a trial verdict toward which a few hundred agitators had been encouraging civil unrest. Having remained in Oakland that night, choosing to pray at a Cathedral rather than flee, Nixon concluded his thoughts thusly: I wonder, in retrospect, what would have happened if enough of us had stayed, if we had continued that... Read more
Benedict this morning Since it is July 11th, and I am his spiritual daughter, I must present to you once more my dear St. Benedict of Nursia, and this excerpt from his Holy Rule, which contains wisdom that may be applied to the management of home, family, business. Hey, the Benedictines has rolled with it for these 1500 years; the track record is proven: From the Rule of St. Benedict, abbot, thoughts on the proper mindset with which to begin... Read more
Once again, The Daily Show’s Jon Stewart does a good job interviewing a much more interesting guest than is commonly found on the network news channels. The Daily Show With Jon Stewart Mon – Thurs 11p / 10c <td style='padding:2px 1px 0px 5px;' colspan='2'Marilynne Robinson www.thedailyshow.com Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Tea Party It occurs to me that if journalists bemoan the state of their craft, or the blurring of its conventionally accepted role, this is partly because “professional,... Read more
It seems the New York Times has noticed the debate as to whether people of faith should pray for Christopher Hitchens. I like this; it reflects my feelings, exactly: Jeffrey Goldberg, a colleague of Hitchens’s at The Atlantic Monthly, consulted the rabbinical authorities and decided that prayer was O.K. On his blog, Goldberg quoted the advice of David Wolpe, a Los Angeles rabbi who has publicly debated Hitchens on a number of occasions: “I would say it is appropriate and... Read more
As we head into the weekend, let me give you three pieces to read, all on rather different subjects, but all important to us, as Christians and as civic-minded folk. First up, read J. Peter Nixon, who recounts last night, in Oakland: . . . there I was, making a last minute decision to remain in downtown Oakland at a time when many (white) commentators were convinced the place was about to explode in civil unrest. I wish I could... Read more
Source Elder Son is “known” for his speechifying–he is a natural wordsmith who peppers his public remarks at such things as Eagle Ceremonies and Anniversaries with puns, and literary/mathematical references; he uses humor in such a disarming way that you don’t realize exactly when his words became touching and sincere, only that you are suddenly wiping away a tear. He is is quite honored to act as Best Man for a fellow he’s been friends with since the fifth grade... Read more
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