Pope Calls Israel-Hamas War ‘Terrorism’

A bizarre statement by the head of the Roman Catholic church.

Anti-Gay Extremism in Nigeria

Where religious zealotry can lead. (So, yes, a digression into American politics).

Mike Johnson is Very Religious

His critics are focused on the wrong problem.

Trump and Christian Nationalism

A satisfying but unlikely explanation.

France’s Crackdown on Religious Garb Expands

The abaya is now banned as well.

Tweet of the day

Shut it down for the day, because it isn’t going to get better than this one.

The Emotional Labor Of Debating In Good Faith

In a world of fixed positions, is debating in good faith really worth it?

Why the Catholic Church Sides with Putin and Orban

The Pope is siding with evil.

Religious Accommodations and Slippery Slopes

Where do we draw the line?

Joseph Ratzinger, 1927-2022

The Pope Emeritus has died at 95.

Anti-Zionism Isn’t Anti-Semitism

Many young, progressive Jews are feeling unwelcome in young, progressive circles.

Social Justice the New Religion?

The intersection of politics, morality, and meaning.

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Dividing the Christian World

The Pope is indeed Catholic. The rest is up for debate.

Democratic Backsliding and the American Right

The only way to save our freedom is to destroy it.

Christian Nationalism and American Democracy

A Manichean struggle between good and evil.

Why Was Whoopi Goldberg Suspended?

Since when is it a crime to say stupid things on “The View”?

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The College Admissions Rat Race

An interesting argument, albeit about a tiny and vastly over-discussed segment.

Evangelical Politics in the Time of Polarization and Covid

A piece in The Atlantic inspires thoughts.

Thoughts on Partisan Cues and Filters

Thoughts on how we think.

Religious Exemptions From Vaccine Mandate

What malarkey is this?

Conservatives and Children’s Rights

COVID vaccine hesitancy is just the tip of the iceberg.

Religion and the Capitol Attack

What we know about those arrested for the 6 January insurrection.

Hippie VW microbus Hippie VW microbus

Culture Wars are a Long Game

Conservatives have lost it one generation at a time.

SBC Picks a New Leader

And linkages to broader US politics.

What Does the Fed Have Against the Founding Fathers?

Well, nothing of course.

Here’s a Cult

Brought to you by the son of Moon.

Biden Taking Fewer Refugees Than Trump!!!

Stenography is not journalism.

Ultra-Orthodox Schools Teaching Ultra-Orthodoxy

An odd complaint from parents who voluntarily send their kids to religious schools.

Arguing Against Democracy

National Review’s Kevin D. Williamson advocates for less democracy in America.

Gorsuch and Alito Want to Revisit Religious Accomodations

Is a de minimus standard too small?

Florida Governor Bans Vaccine Passports

He probably lacks the legal authority. And business interests in is state will fight hard against him.

Holy Days and Holidays in a Diverse Society

Balancing practical considerations and religious observances.

Anti-Asian Hate in America

A mass shooting in Atlanta draws attention to a problem of which I was only tangentially aware.

SCOTUS: States Can’t Ban Clergy from Death Chamber

A rather odd non-ruling during the non-session from America’s highest court.

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SCOTUS Lifts California Worship Ban

How should we balance public health and fundamental rights?

SCOTUS Strikes Down New York Church Closures

The right to worship trumps the public’s health.

Inside People of Praise

It’s not a cult but not exactly mainstream, either.

We Dismiss Potential Religious Allies At Our Peril

Ignoring religious diversity makes polarization much worse.

Casinos Open, Churches Closed

A bizarre but possibly correct ruling by the Supreme Court.

Supreme Court Expands Religious Impunity

Two rulings greatly expand the ability to evade the law for on Free Exercise grounds.

Fascism Is A Nationalist Aesthetic Movement

Fascism is less about real politics, which is what makes it terrifying.

A Diminished, Surreal July 4th

The crowd for DC’s fireworks celebration was small but weird.

SCOTUS Allows Subsidies for Religious Schools

A seemingly obvious result that isn’t.

White Evangelicals and the Trump Paradox

Why the ‘moral majority’ is willing to tolerate so much immorality from their leader.

West Point Why We’re Losing Wars Says West Point Prof

A book out today makes an odd case.

Boy Scouts File for Bankruptcy

The venerable youth organization has fallen on hard times.

Does Stop-and-Frisk Disqualify Bloomberg for President?

The policy was undeniably harmful and unconstitutional. Is it forgivable?

Colbert on Romney and Oaths

A touching tribute to doing the right thing.

Private Talk and Character

Dennis Prager makes me feel like we are living in the Upside Down.

Saudi Air Force Trainee Kills Three At Florida Naval Base

Questions linger after a shooting leaves three people and the shooter dead in an incident at one of the nation’s largest Naval facilities.