politics – Page 10 – Shameless Popery

The End of the Ostpolitik?

Todd Hatch wrote an interesting account of his experience finally standing up for traditional marriage (once he got tenure) at a public university. The experience sounds like it’s been brutal but edifying: mostly, he’s just been yelled at and called all sorts of names for not thinking-the-popular-thing. In the midst of all this, while reading… Continue reading The End of the Ostpolitik?

Thoughts on the Reaction to Bush’s Memoirs

Before I say anything else, let me make clear that I haven’t read the book, or even seen the interview. All that I know comes from reading news articles about the book, or articles about the interview about the book. Katherine Jean Lopez pulls a few key passages, and it suggests that the book will… Continue reading Thoughts on the Reaction to Bush’s Memoirs

Stem Cell Research and “Science v. Religion”

I. Is Opposition to Embryonic Stem-Cell Research Anti-Science? A 2005 New York Times article begins: When Donald Kennedy, a biologist and editor of the eminent journal Science, was asked what had led so many American scientists to feel that George W. Bush’s administration is anti-science, he isolated a familiar pair of culprits: climate change and… Continue reading Stem Cell Research and “Science v. Religion”

The Bizarre Politics of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell

The politics of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell have been downright bizarre lately. It’s pitted Democratic Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid against gay rights groups, and pitted the Obama Administration against a Republican group in California… and not on the the side you think. I. Reid v. Gay Rights GroupsAs background, the Senate Republicans were filibustering… Continue reading The Bizarre Politics of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell

Denying Communion to Notorious Sinners

One of the most controversial moves of US bishops in recent years has been announcing that avowedly pro-choice politicians, and anyone else who actively promotes abortion, are not permitted to receive Communion unless they have repented. Moreover, in many dioceses, bishops instructed their priests to refuse Communion to these individuals (identified by name) should they… Continue reading Denying Communion to Notorious Sinners

Religious Intolerance and “Islamophobia”

Frank Beckwith had a great post responding to Time Magazine’s latest cover, which reads “Is America Islamophobic?” To answer Time’s question, there are certainly some people who have irrational fears about Islam. No question. But those folks are clearly in the minority, as Islamic-related polls tend to show pretty clearly. More troubling is the tendency… Continue reading Religious Intolerance and “Islamophobia”

The “Ground Zero” Mosque

As you’re probably aware, there are currently plans to build a massive thirteen floor, $100 million mosque near Ground Zero, the site of the September 11th attacks. It’s a tasteless move, orchestrated by some seemingly uncouth characters. The original name for the mosque (it’s now slated to be Park51) was Cordoba House, a reference to… Continue reading The “Ground Zero” Mosque

Catholics in the Voting Booth

Yesterday’s second reading includes this gem from Hebrews 11:13-16, All these died in faith. They did not receive what had been promised but saw it and greeted it from afar and acknowledged themselves to be strangers and aliens on earth, for those who speak thus show that they are seeking a homeland. If they had… Continue reading Catholics in the Voting Booth

Pro-Abortion Groups Fighting Back on Healthcare

If you’ll recall, Stupak and Obama claimed that Obama’s eleventh-hour executive order would mean that no federal funds from Obamacare would go to fund abortion. Certain liberal Catholic groups, like CHA, used this as political coverage for support of Obamacare. Then, in Pennsylvania and elsewhere, the government tried to pay for abortions. Pro-lifers caught wind… Continue reading Pro-Abortion Groups Fighting Back on Healthcare