Saturday, April 25, 2015

Items of Interest: Week of Dominica II Post Pascha

Cultural Conservatives Have Barely Begun to Fight
by David French (National Review). A response to Rod Dreher’s “Benedict Option” for cultural retreat.

The Legacy of the American Ratzinger
by Thomas Kirchoff (Ethika Politika). «Cardinal George’s vision was of a Church that actively reaches out to society, that constantly, consistently, and courageously puts Herself forward to share her wisdom, even at the cost of persecution.»

Why Atheists Change Their Mind: 8 Common Factors
by Matt Nelson (Word on Fire).  «Conversions from atheism are often gradual and complex, no doubt. For many converts the road is slow and tedious, tiring and trying. But in the end unbelievers who find God can enjoy an inner peace that comes from a clear conscience in knowing they held to truth and followed the arguments faithfully.»

The first genocide of the 20th century happened in Namibia
by Dennis Laumann.  «[April 24th] marks the 100 year anniversary of the Armenian genocide. Media coverage has focused on the refusal of Turkey to acknowledge the genocide. It is indisputable Ottoman Turks carried out genocide against the Armenians in 1915. But the oft-repeated assertion that it was the first genocide of the 20th century is wrong: it was the attempted annihilation of the Herero by the Germans in South-West Africa (present-day Namibia) from 1904 to 1907.»

Thursday, April 16, 2015

Items of Interest: Week of Low Sunday 2015

The DeBoer Tendency: How Progressives Belittle Violence Against Jews
by John-Paul Pagano (Tablet Magazine). The five stages of anti-Semitism denial, as it relates to racism and the concept of ‘privilege’.

Why Religious Liberty Arguments Aren’t Working
by Jennifer Roback Morse (Crisis Magazine). «Religious liberty arguments are not compelling enough to induce our fellow citizens to sacrifice something they value, namely, sexual liberty...We need a different strategy: argue against the Sexual Revolution because it has hurt people.»

A scientific look at the damage parents do when they bully their gay kids
by Jennifer S. Hirsch (Washington Post).  Just what are the policy prescriptions this writer is endorsing? She doesn't actually enumerate them, but if this is a common view, parents should be very afraid.

The Seraphim above: Some Perspectives on the Theology of Orthodox Church Music
by Fr. Ivan Moody.  Abstract: Some outstanding contributions notwithstanding, much recent scholarship in Western European languages concerning art and the sacred has been quite prolific but has generally avoided discussion of specifically liturgical music, a particular problem when dealing with the sacred music of the Orthodox Church. The present discussion aims at establishing some bases for furthering this discussion, drawing not only on recent commentators but especially commentary on the question of liturgical singing by the Fathers of the Church.