Hannah Arendt in her Essays in Understanding went a step further when talking about how many Germans felt ashamed of being German following the atrocities committed during the Nazi regime when she said: “I have often felt tempted to answer that I felt ashamed of being human.” She says this because of the Judeo-Christian understanding of creation–of all men having been created equal by God; thus, for Arendt, as responsible citizens we are all called to approach the political arena... Read more
I’m a science fiction fan. I usually enjoy the weird, the crazy or far-out science fiction stories over others, explaining why Doctor Who is my favorite television series. There are very few great science fiction movies – 2001, Blade Runner, and The Matrix, with the possible inclusion of Star Trek II:The Wrath of Khan and Star Wars (the original). Yet there is one which I enjoy way more than I should, and I think is a movie far better than people allow it to... Read more
The Scriptures convey that all persons were created in the image of God. Scripture, in fact, forces the reader to take seriously this claim. Catholic teaching likewise insists that the modern world confront this fundamental truth. Inherent human worth is given to humanity by God, to be protected until we are called home to full communion. Our temporal heroes come to be admired when they understand this, no matter the cost. (more…) Read more
Fear is a basic human emotion, a product of millions of years of evolutionary biology. And yet the Christian message calls us to conquer fear. “Be not afraid”, Pope John Paul II proclaimed in his inaugural homily and he carried that message to every corner of the world during the twenty-six years of his pontificate. And yet, the politics, society, and culture of the United States for the past six years have been utterly dominated by fear. Veteran New Republic... Read more
Here is your “safe” abortion for you. Best of luck to her. Read more
Last week while reflecting on the fact that my university is open on Labor Day, my philosophy professor stated that Labor Day is, in his opinion, the most important holiday in the U.S. Without the laborers, he argued, there would be no Fourth of July or Memorial Day or President’s Day. Workers–and he meant the ones who actually labor, not the ones who funded or managed labor–made possible everything that is American, from cities to food to weapons of liberation.... Read more
I’ll just end with a story about Saint Pachomius, who is considered to be the founder of the first Christian monastic community. One day a man came to the cenobium and said, “I’d like to join the community.” When Pachomius asked him why, the fellow said, “I’d like to see God.” “You’re coming here because you want to see God?” “Yes. What do I have to do? How many prostrations, how many Psalms, how many prayers, how much fasting …?”... Read more
Part Five: Appalachia today in the midst of new forms of “imperial capitalism” Observing The social sciences remain a key resource for understanding the socio-economic and political reality of Appalachia. In particular, the field of Appalachian Studies must be utilized in any contemporary theology for Appalachia in order to get a clearer picture of the region and to deconstruct the stereotypes and generalizations that have contributed to one-sided histories that often create the conditions of exploitation.[23] More will be said... Read more
The following video is not P.C. It’s from the old BBC tv series, Not the 9 O’Clock News. Rowan Atkinson plays a Tory Leader in the UK giving a speech on immigration. What he says is offensive. You have been warned. The more things change, the more they remain the same. Read more
For Christians, the history of inter-religious dialogue has been long and often meandering. In Christian Scripture, we find examples of its practice, such as in the celebrated meeting between Abraham and Melchizedek, the priest-king of Salem. “And King Melchizedek of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was priest of God Most High. He blessed him and said, “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, maker of heaven and earth; and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your... Read more
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