I know the title question will produce “Well, duuuuuh!” from some quarters, but I’ve heard it argued on and off for years that Christianity is not a religion. Yesterday, I read something that seems to frame the question differently. I frame the question as I do because what I read so framed it by calling Christianity “the end of religion.” Continue reading “Is Christianity “a Religion”?”
Category: Attitude
Joe Sobran on War
As I rummaged through my trove of Joe Sobran clippings, I found a lot of gems unrelated to the privacy motif I’ve already discussed. Especially notable is his stance on our middle-eastern policy, in the face of the insults of those who could not refute him.
In chronological order, beginning on 9-11 Continue reading “Joe Sobran on War”
Jim Wallis struts and preens
Jim Wallis, head of Sojourners and longtime Religious Left leader, has a very revealing column in the Washington Post about the “behind the scenes” scrambling to avert last weekend’s scheduled Koran-burning. What it reveals mostly is his self-importance Continue reading “Jim Wallis struts and preens”
Lowering the ante
It bother me that sanctimonious jerks can so easily make me sympathize with certified, publicity-seeking creepy-crawlies. Continue reading “Lowering the ante”
“Left Hand? Hello, Right Hand calling.”
“Left Hand? Hello, Right Hand calling.”
I see an interesting juxtaposition between columnists at Townhall.com today. Star Parker (who, by the way, is running for Congress) says that “[a]s the economy gets increasingly sophisticated, the penalty for lack of education gets greater. But we’re failing to deliver this needed education to lower income Americans.” Meanwhile, Michael Barone is publicizing the theory that we’re riding an “education bubble” that’s apt to burst.
American Civil Religion Redux
James Allen, a radio talk-show host and second- or third-tier columnist at Townhall.com, praises Glenn Beck as a “great leader” who has a “belief in a transcendent being called God.” I dissent and accuse Allen of suborning violations of the 1st Commandment. Continue reading “American Civil Religion Redux”
Poetry roundup
Part of an occasional series, I point to poetry I’ve encountered and enjoyed in one way or another.
Most of this material is copyrighted, and I don’t care to get permission for use, so I’ll link to Writer’s Almanac, which did have permssion.
Let’s start with love and romance.
Poor Gerald Locklin can hardly get started with a new girl without an old friend showing up, but as he says, “I’ve Always Enjoyed Her Sense of Humor.”
In Complaint, James Wright utters sentiments that make me cringe. I guess it’s a sort of love, but a sort I’d sooner avoid.
In Half-Rack at the Rendezvous, William Notter paints what for me is a vivid, frank and believable picture of two passions and their connection: devouring ribs and “delirious honeybees working wisteria” (wink, wink).
Having been married for nearly 40 years now, I am touched by Epithalamium, by Thomas Lynch, involving the end of a marriage after some 70 years.
Personal relations short of love.
William Notter in Breakfast at the Road Runner Cafe does some people watching a feebly reaches out. What’s he supposed to do? Charles Bukowski’s the finger reminds us of how common a less friendly approach has become. It puts me in mind of how much public affairs coverage proceeds these day: Fox fingering MSNBC and vice-versa.
Reverie and despair.
In I Ride the Greyhound by Ellie Shoenfeld, the locutor is not alone, but (it seems to me) might as well be. Dorothea Tanning in Secret chooses to be alone when she need not be.
Three male poets reflect variously on aging and death:
- two nights before my 72nd birthday (Charles Bukowski) is the cheeriest. I’ve felt that.
- Brotherhood (X.J. Kennedy) is somber, but I’ve been there, too.
- Maybe if the Jobholder (David Ignatow) would tune in one of the bread and circus channels instead of reading some stupid book, he wouldn’t have noticed what he has noticed.
My final choice seems the most theological and sacramental too me: The Gardener by Ken Weisner.
Your taxonomy of these poems might vary.
Blasts from Left and Right
Pat Buchanan writes a well-earned “we told you so” regarding our invasion of Iraq, including allegations of something worse than mistake: “We were misled. We were deceived. We were lied to.” Continue reading “Blasts from Left and Right”
Red and Blue Families (Again)
Jennifer Roback Morse was late reviewing Red Families v Blue Families in part because it’s time-consuming to unpack illogic and obfuscation, but also in part because the book made her so mad she could hardly read it. A few bullet quotes capture her fury: Continue reading “Red and Blue Families (Again)”
The “Ground Zero [Whatever]” and Fred Korematsu
I’m not impressed with the quality of the “debate” (i.e., battling brain-dead monologues) over the Islamic Center near the World Trade Center site in lower Manhattan. Continue reading “The “Ground Zero [Whatever]” and Fred Korematsu”
Tipsy Teetotaler ن 