Religion

December 19, 2017 in Philosophy/Politics/Religion

Busting Statist And Scripture-Based Fibs For A Borderless America

When preaching immigration leniency and lawlessness in America, immigration bleeding hearts should lay off the Hebrew Bible, Leviticus 19:34, in particular. “The stranger that sojourneth with you shall be unto you as the home-born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.” One Rev. Ryan M. Eller, on Tucker Carlson’s show, gave a dissembling and misleading reading of the tract, in mitigation of the immigration status of Kate Steinle’s killer. The reverend glibly translated the word “sojourn” to mean citizens living among you, the latter having created, presumably, an immutable… Keep Reading

September 13, 2017September 14, 2017 in Culture/Religion

The Apoplectic Reaction to the Nashville Statement

Apoplectic, near universal condemnation was the reaction to the Nashville Statement, the dry reminder that, to Christians, homosexual acts are sinful, that two men cannot be married to one another, and that a man who thinks he is a woman is a man. Yet when the kumbaya crowd heard these things, it was as if it were announced their cell phones were to be taken away. The by-now standard cries of “hate”, “bigotry”, “hypocrisy” were made, with many paradoxically calling the Statement “anti-Christian.” The Nashville Statement was not political. Many prominent “never Trumpers” signed; for instance, Russell Moore of the… Keep Reading

August 13, 2017August 12, 2017 in Philosophy/Politics/Religion

Pastor Clinton?

To hear Hillary Clinton’s considering becoming a lay-preacher has created a social media firestorm of comments and opinions. The biggest challenge in addressing whether her qualifications as a lay-preacher are valid is the likelihood that her supporters are standing by, ready to pounce on anyone who questions the former First lady’s interest in sharing her faith. Regardless, even under the threat of public scrutiny, some real questions need to be asked. If Clinton is serious about this latest endeavor, her actions and political stances will certainly come into question. Not to beat a dead horse, but she was responsible for… Keep Reading

July 25, 2017July 25, 2017 in History/Politics/Religion

Graham Greene: Catholic Communist

One of the more transparently manipulative and hypocritical slogans used by Western Communist Parties in the mid 1930s to recruit allies for Stalin was specifically designed for Catholics: “You can still take Communion and love the Soviet Union.” Graham Greene, novelist, pundit, and above all, Catholic, embodied this slogan. Indeed, Greene’s attempts to link Catholicism with a Soviet Union that persecuted priests from the get-go predated this slogan. Since the 1920s, Greene had sought to merge his Catholic faith with his Communist one, which prompted George Orwell, a foe of both organized religion and communism, to label Green the first… Keep Reading

July 11, 2017July 11, 2017 in Philosophy/Religion

God, Morality, and Nature

Recently on an episode of The Rubin Report, Dave Rubin organized a thoughtful discussion between Dennis Prager and Micheal Shermer on the subject of God and morality. The two men discussed for over an hour whether or not morality is a product of God or inherent in human beings. They also touched upon other subjects such as the existence of God, secularism, and other religions. Needless to say, it was an interesting discussion that, despite its greatness, frustrated me because of the lack of understanding people still have about God. Atheists always seem to think that they know everything about… Keep Reading

June 16, 2017June 16, 2017 in Culture/Philosophy/Religion

I’m Pro-Muslim (and Jewish, Catholic, Hindu, and Jedi) – but Pro-Western Law

Last weekend, onlookers witnessed crazy left-wing protesters attacking anti-Sharia demonstrators for voicing their opinion. Although such acts are clearly contemptible and should never be regarded as acceptable, they are backed by a reservoir of tense political and religious indoctrination that can cause a great divide. It is my belief that many of the arguments supporting and opposing the anti-Sharia Marches have been wildly mischaracterized and underreported. I believe that every person of faith should be guaranteed their right to practice any religion they deem necessary for their spiritual well-being. I strongly believe in the notion of religious freedom. I am proud to identify… Keep Reading

June 15, 2017June 15, 2017 in Culture/Politics/Religion

Liberals In State of Confusion

Since the election, it appears the left has been in a state of confusion. Trump’s victory has created an entirely different form of left-wing progressives who appear to be going through an unusual transition. It was on full display this past weekend when protesters took to the streets across America demonstrating against Sharia Law. Sharia Law is an Islamic system of law that, if followed explicitly, would call for the death of those opposed to their religion, promote female genitalia mutilation, allow girls as young as 9-years-old to get married, require women to be slaves to their husbands, and prevent… Keep Reading

May 24, 2017 in History/Politics/Religion

We Must Defeat Radical Islam

When radical Islamist 22-year-old Salman Abedi blew himself up at a pop music concert in Manchester, England, killing 22 and wounding 59, he did more than commit a terrorist attack – he once again demonstrated the insidious nature of violent, radical Islam manifested as jihad. The suicide bomber detonated himself at Manchester Arena late Monday as concertgoers streamed out following the end of Ariana Grande’s concert. While ISIS has claimed responsibility for the attack – at least in terms of inspiration, if not direct operational support – what is important is the fact that someone who was born in Britain not… Keep Reading

April 4, 2017April 3, 2017 in Culture/Politics/Religion

Christophobia and Islamophobia

“Islamophobia” is a real problem. Or so we’re led to believe by the usual suspects in the grievance industry par excellence, the Racism-Industrial-Complex (RIC). It’s a problem because, it is tirelessly declared, “Islamophobia” is only going to create more Islamic “extremists.” An article from a December 2015 edition of The Independent represents this all too common view. The title of the piece reads: “Want to create more extremists? Ignore the Islamophobia people like me face every day.” The author is Shehab Khan, a Muslim who lives in England. Keep Reading

April 3, 2017April 30, 2017 in Politics/Religion

Liberalism as a Blind Faith Religion

In the book of Hebrews, chapter eleven verse one, the Bible defines faith as being the substance of hope in things unseen. Those of us who are skeptical of the claims found in supposedly holy texts know that this is only half correct; in addition to hope in things unseen, religious faith is the denial of that which can be seen. The evidence for a godless universe is abundant and has brought us to a day and age in which the concept of a supernatural creator may be dismissed with a quick reference to Occam’s infamous razor: The God Theory… Keep Reading

March 3, 2017 in Culture/Philosophy/Politics/Religion

A Contradiction of Faith

Susan Chorley was resolved to have an abortion. The Massachusetts native felt confident the child would be a burden on her, her family, and her career. In a desperate attempt to salvage some superficial sense of morality, she justified her decision as a “mercy killing”. Already convinced the child was an inconvenience, she was worried child might feel that way too. Therefore, she did what was best for them both (how noble, right?). Chorley’s story is no different than other stories from women who’ve chosen abortion. Her career and lifestyle took precedence over the life growing inside her womb. So,… Keep Reading

February 5, 2017February 5, 2017 in Culture/Politics/Religion

The New Colossus Criteria

When Emma Lazarus wrote The New Colossus in 1883 she may or may not have been aware that, 6,500 miles to the east in the Arabian Peninsula, the Al Saud were clashing with their bitter rivals, the al-Rashids from the city of Hayil. Things didn’t go well for the Al Saud and, consequently, they were driven from Ndaj into exile, eventually settling in Kuwait. It’s a fascinating story and perhaps Miss Lazarus would have agreed. Warring factions and power struggles aren’t unique to Islam. For centuries, bitter rivalries between the monarchical governments of Europe tormented the continent with near non-stop bloodshed.… Keep Reading

January 30, 2017January 31, 2017 in News/Politics/Religion

Trump Blamed for Canadian Mosque Attack

On Sunday, a white supremacist entered the Quebec City Islamic Cultural Centre and opened fire on a group of Muslims engaged in evening prayers. This comes just days after President Donald J. Trump signed an executive order restricting immigration from several middle-eastern, Muslim countries. In the shooting, which occurred Sunday night, five people were killed and more were wounded. Just like the Charleston church shooting, the perpetrator of which I will not mention by name, this heinous crime was motivated by bigotry, plain and simple. The Charleston shooter shot and killed nine black churchgoers inside Emanuel AME church in 2015.… Keep Reading

January 16, 2017January 16, 2017 in Culture/Politics/Religion

The Figure of the Hindu as a Model for Political Tolerance in a Politically Intolerant Age

(This article is the result of a collaboration between Troy Worden and Harsh Tiwari.) 2016 was the age of intolerance par excellence. No, not because of fringe elements energized by Donald Trump’s rise. Rather, the kind of intolerance I speak of is more widespread – namely, the liberal intolerance of Donald Trump and his conservative backers. I do not need to conjure up the hateful headlines and malicious monologues attacking the white working class and encouraging the social ostracization of Trump supporters; I would rather heed Francis Bacon’s sage observation that “a man that studieth revenge, keeps his own wounds… Keep Reading

January 15, 2017January 15, 2017 in Politics/Religion

Real Islam and Democracy

During the last few months I’ve seen on TV and read in Newsmax the views of an earnest American patriot, Zudhi Jasser. A onetime naval officer, distinguished cardiologist and more recently, an inspired leader of the American Islamic Forum for Democracy, Dr. Yasser has been second to none in denouncing Islamicist terror and in exhorting his fellow-Muslims in the US and throughout the West to turn in suspected terrorists. It pains me to criticize such a decent fellow, but much of what I hear him saying about purifying Islam of Sharia and making Muslims accept “human rights,” “gender equality” and… Keep Reading

December 28, 2016December 28, 2016 in Politics/Religion

“It’s a Wonderful Life” in Lieu of The Nativity Scene

That there is some sense in which Christmas can be said to have become “secularized” over the years is undoubtedly true. Nevertheless, this judgment may be overwrought. Perhaps Christ is more present in “secularized” expressions of Christmas than either Christian or non-Christian is willing to acknowledge. This is borne out by close examination of such “secular” Christmas cinematic classics as A Christmas Carol, It’s a Wonderful Life, and Miracle on 34th Street. None explicitly mentions Christ, but neither is it a coincidence that of the 365 days and multiple holidays from which Dickens could have chosen to make the backdrop… Keep Reading