Monthly Archives: November 2011

Why I am not fundamentally a libertarian

I agree with libertarians on many specific issues. But on a deep level I no longer am in sympathy with libertarianism. Why? The issue can be encapsulated by a conversation with a friend recently. He posited that so long as … Continue reading

Posted in culture, politics | Tagged | 31 Comments

Contagion

Via the Daily Mail: Muslim students, including trainee doctors on one of Britain’s leading medical courses, are walking out of lectures on evolution claiming it conflicts with creationist ideas established in the Koran. Professors at University College London have expressed … Continue reading

Posted in Science & Faith | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Just Another Carnival Barker

Today’s Roman Catholic hierarchy knows that the old hoodoo is a good way to bring in the crowds, so here’s one veteran doing his bit: Father Gabriele Amorth, who for years was the Vatican’s chief exorcist and claims to have … Continue reading

Posted in culture, Religion | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Herman Cain’s sin: stupidity, not bigotry

I get tired of Left-liberals who yammer on about “bigotry” because people are concerned that candidate X is Mormon/Muslim/etc. A person’s whole background matters, and when you are judging someone politically you are engaging in an act of discrimination based … Continue reading

Posted in politics | Tagged | 13 Comments

Lame Ad, Worse Response

Via the LA Times: The Benetton clothing company is known for shock ads that have stirred controversy around the globe with images of death row inmates and people dying of AIDS. Its latest campaign, unveiled Wednesday, so offended the Vatican … Continue reading

Posted in Church & State | Tagged , | 3 Comments

Paul Apowida

Cross-Posted on the Corner: As some regular readers may understand, I’m possibly not the best person around here to comment on religion, but, as I’ve mentioned before, the belief by some ecumenical sorts that all expressions of faith are, as … Continue reading

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A Cleric, Jealous

Britain’s chief Rabbi seems upset that people are finding that spiritual pap, “transcendence”, call it what you will, is not the only way to some sort of contentment. The Daily Mail reports: Speaking at an interfaith reception [Itself a ghastly … Continue reading

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The rise of fundamentalism

As ultra-Orthodox flex muscle, Israel feminists see a backsliding: “Women walk down the street as though they are at the beach,” said Rabbi Shmuel Pappenheim, a spokesman and leader for an umbrella group of ultra-Orthodox factions. “If in the past … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | 8 Comments

The Rise of Israel’s Ultra-Orthodox (Again)

Gershom Gorenberg writes in Slate: Rather than being a diorama of traditional Jewish life in Eastern Europe before the Holocaust, as many Israelis and visitors believe, Israel’s present-day version of ultra-Orthodoxy is a creation of the Jewish state. Policies with … Continue reading

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The Idea of Meaning (or Something)

Writing on Why I’m Catholic, “atheist convert” Jennifer Fulwiler explains why she turned to Rome, starting with concerns such as these: One thing I could never get on the same page with my fellow atheists about was the idea of … Continue reading

Posted in Religion | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments