Religion Dispatches
…f recovery? I think it’s helpful to consider the wider social and cultural changes that have taken place over the last century. With the rise of secular liberalism and the gradual dissolution of religion from the public sphere, sources of meaning and purpose are less self-evident than they once were. Although in Canada and the U.S. we have the freedom to choose what to believe in, it’s not always clear what we should believe in. Granted, not all e…
Read More…: When did he do that? BOTSFORD: There is a wonderful passage — KNAPP: God changed his mind on mankind. And he gave his savior for one and for all. BOTSFORD: He changed his mind, if I can finish, in Acts Chapter 10, to answer your question, Larry, on shellfish. And Cornelius has this amazing enlightenment, as Peter has this vision of the lord saying eat whatever you want. KING: Peter may have been hungry. No pun intended. BOTSFORD: There is this g…
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…the will of the people. Once the polls close on Election Day, nothing can change the outcome. Except litigation. It’s tempting to think that Trump only wants to freeze the numbers at a time when it might be favorable to him. That’s part of his rationale, but he’s also trying to gum up the system. The plan is to start litigating these cases now, but figure out the best arguments as the cases progress in the precincts where they might do the most d…
Read More…hurch and the Military, a book that offers a complex analysis of women and change in and outside both institutions. I summarized Katzenstein’s perspective in a review that appeared in New Women New Church, the newsletter of the national Women’s Ordination Conference in spring 1999: Katzenstein’s analysis will be of special benefit to Catholic feminists perplexed over whether women’s ordination necessarily constitutes co-optation into a patriarchal…
Read More…am one of those people—I too desire to believe in the possibility of real change towards a radically just society. However, in light of this particular historical moment and all that this moment represents, I have to say that Obama was “out of line,” for several reasons. For one, she is out of step with a particular brand of political correctness, in effect for approximately seven and a half years now, which strategically dictates, and thus marks…
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…ivate sector, corporations. Areas like food safety, air safety, or climate change, are all subject to what we would consider a theocratic interpretation of both law and religion. So there’s a fusing here. To give you an example, they would love to get rid of USAID altogether, but they can’t do that. So there’s a call to make it an agency that reflects family values. Anyone seeking foreign assistance would have to agree to that set of principles. S…
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…of each other as individuals (rather than simply elements of a commodity exchange), the event defines itself as a “gift economy” rather than as a commercial festival. In practice, this means that—aside from an ice concession and a central café that sells only coffee and tea—no money is supposed to change hands within the confines of Black Rock City. Rather than paying or bartering for goods and experiences, participants are encouraged to give thei…
Read More…’m not saying this is a good thing, I’m saying it’s a reality. What might change that? A sign, somewhere, that change is possible. A tangible plan, endorsed by the Palestinian leadership, the Israeli leadership and progressives in the world community. A way forward that won’t lead to more disappointment. A way to reenergize the Israeli Left, which has cared in the past, and could care again. American activists should amp up the pressure on Israel…
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…n from these panels (I stepped down from the Diocese of Orange Lay Review Board in 2002). Survivors have stepped down in dioceses across the country, the National Review Board, and now the Pope’s own commission. Nothing is going to change. They have no intention of changing. It’s all window dressing. It’s up to Catholics to speak with their wallets if they want to take back their church and for survivors to change the law in order to get justice a…
Read More…s’ forte. UPDATE: The Arab-American Institute has criticized the language change on Jerusalem. From its statement: The 2012 language was clearly an attempt to bring rhetoric in line with reality—the generally acknowledged fact accepted by all sides of the conflict that the final status of Jerusalem is an issue that needs to be determined in negotiations between the Israelis and Palestinians themselves. Today’s amendment to re-insert the language…
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