President Obama’s recent statement on gay marriage has again thrust his religious views onto the front pages. In defending his position, Obama stressed that he and his wife were “practicing Christians” and that his stance was supported by Christ’s teaching … Continue reading
Faith & Society
Yes, Congresswoman Pelosi, We’re Serious: On the Constitutionality of Obamacare
America anxiously awaits the Supreme Court’s decision on Obamacare. At the core of the decision is a simple question: Is the “individual mandate” in Obamacare constitutional? And thus, is Obamacare constitutional?Several times during the debate and deliberation, my mind harkened back to the words … Continue reading
Easter and Heaven
As Christians around the world celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ this Easter, heaven is naturally on the minds of many. Recent polls indicate that between 75 and 90 percent of Americans believe that heaven exists, percentages that far exceed … Continue reading
STREAMING VIDEO — Transcending Humanity, Part I: Merging Humanity and Technology
Dr. Jan Dudt, a fellow for medical ethics with The Center for Vision & Values at Grove City College, is interviewed by Lee Wishing, administrative director of the Center. In this video, Dr. Dudt comments on a concept that futurists … Continue reading
Santorum or Romney? Culture War or Class War?
Editor’s note: A longer version of this article first appeared at American Spectator. The question for Republicans right now seems obvious: Would you prefer Rick Santorum or Mitt Romney to run against Barack Obama? Well, it depends on whether you prefer … Continue reading
Hope vs. Despair: The Discussion is Coming
My colleague, Paul Kengor, wrote a brilliant article this week saying that Team Obama will try to cast the presidential election either in terms of class warfare—if Romney is the Republican nominee—or a battle over social issues, if Santorum gets … Continue reading
On Santorum, Democrats, and “God’s Will”
In case you didn’t notice . . . With George W. Bush out of office and a Democrat in the White House, the secular media stopped its handwringing over the president mentioning God. With Rick Santorum’s surge, the hysteria has … Continue reading
Satan and Santorum: Perspective from Reagan’s Evil Empire Speech
Editor’s note: A longer version of this article first appeared at The American Spectator. The secular world today trembles and shudders at the sight of Rick Santorum speaking on good and evil at Ave Maria University in Florida in 2008. Santorum’s statement came … Continue reading
V&V Q&A (Presidents Day Special): What Would Reagan Do? The HHS Mandate and A Very Different President
Editor’s Note: The “V&V Q&A” is an e-publication from The Center for Vision & Values at Grove City College. In this latest edition, professor of political science and executive director of the Center—Dr. Paul Kengor—is interviewed by Kathryn Jean Lopez—editor-at-large of National Review … Continue reading
What If We Removed Wartime Conscience Exemptions?
Last Friday, President Obama responded to Catholic bishops’ concerns over his controversial mandate compelling Catholic institutions to provide contraception, sterilization, and abortion-inducing pharmaceuticals. Many media sources reported Obama’s action as an “accommodation,” with some describing it as a “reversal.” It is hardly that. Many Catholics … Continue reading
The Catholic Bishops v. Obama? President Obama and Justice Ginsburg on America’s “Rather Old Constitution”
I’ve gotten some very interesting emails regarding President Obama’s mandate commanding Roman Catholics (and many evangelical Protestants) to violate their consciences by providing mandatory contraception, sterilization, and abortion-inducing pharmaceuticals. The emailers noted that Obama’s action will force Catholics to challenge the president … Continue reading
Obama’s "Healthcare" Mandate: What Would Reagan Say?
Editor’s note: A version of this article first appeared at CatholicVote.org. February 6 was the anniversary of Ronald Reagan’s birth. It comes at an appropriate time. February is also the month of Presidents Day and the birthday of Lincoln, the … Continue reading
The Obama Mandate to Catholics: "To Hell With You?"
America’s Catholic bishops are princes of diplomacy, highly educated, erudite, men of tact, propriety. They’re asked to shepherd the flock with a long historical timeframe—like, say, eternity. They tend not to have knee-jerk reactions to issues of the moment. And … Continue reading
Patrick Henry, Patriot
Among America’s amazing pantheon of founders, Patrick Henry stands out for his stirring speeches and fervent commitment to liberty, virtue, and small government. The Virginia planter, lawyer, and politician strongly denounced Great Britain’s political and economic control of the American … Continue reading
Sports, Concussions, and Contemporary American Culture
If you follow professional sports, and especially if you are a football or hockey fan, you undoubtedly are aware of the rash of concussions that have rendered players unfit to play. Now there’s a rash of lawsuits being filed against the … Continue reading
Occupying True North in 2012: The Year of the Entrepreneur
This is the time of year when 2012 prediction lists abound. I am struck by how many lists have included some reference to a surge in American entrepreneurship during the next year. Entrepreneurs are clearly being counted upon to act … Continue reading
A Kim-Less Christmas
Editor’s note: A version of this article first appeared at American Thinker. This past Christmas, the people of North Korea were without their messiah. That is, their self-anointed messiah. For a sense of just how bad was Kim Jong-Il, I … Continue reading
Rick Santorum’s Rosetta Stone
Editor’s note: Lee Wishing will be a participant in an April 19-20 conference hosted by The Center for Vision & Values at Grove City College on “The Challenge 2012: The Divided Conservative Mind.” I live in Western Pennsylvania, just across … Continue reading
Counting the Year’s Blessings
Have you heard any good news lately? Bad news abounds. It’s been another tough year. Economic woes continue. Greece and Italy are on the verge of bankruptcy. Unemployment is still high in the United States (around 8.6 percent), and the … Continue reading
Two Visions: The Nativity vs. the Occupiers
Editor’s note: A version of this article first appeared in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. I recently strolled down Grant Street in downtown Pittsburgh and was struck by two images. First, there was the stirring life-sized Nativity that each year is displayed on … Continue reading