filed in Religion on Jan.31, 2010
It’s easy enough to get down on the 21st century and think about how much better it might have been in the past. However, a few pages of the right history book can quickly change your mind. As I always say each time I sit down in the dentist’s chair, “It could be worse. I [...]
filed in Religion on Jan.11, 2008
Today’s ode goes out to Dr. Leon Kass, former chairman of Bush’s Council on Bioethics. You may know him as one of the foremost warriors against stem-cell research in America. I know him from a recent interview in Discover magazine.
Why the glowing recommendation? I’m always impressed by intellectual objectivity. I mentioned in my American Studies [...]
filed in Religion, Travel on Dec.14, 2007
My book of the week is In Search of Ancient Ireland: From Neolithic Times to the Coming of the English by Carmel McCaffrey. Yep, doesn’t sound too interesting unless you’re planning a historical trip to the Emerald Isle.
Here’s what I loved about it: I’m fascinated by belief, by those who possess such strong beliefs that [...]
filed in Religion on Dec.05, 2007
What is it about Christmas that makes people want to feel oppressed? (Okay, I guess Judas Iscariot and Pontius Pilate didn’t set the best example on this one. And yeah, I know that’s Easter, but you get the moral.) I’m sure Bill O’Reilly and Fox News have fired up the annual War on Christmas segments–you [...]