Last week, in a major speech on disabilities in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, delivered to several groups of medical professionals, Sarah Palin promised that she would be an advocate for special needs families as vice president. It is a theme she has … Continue reading
Faith & Society
Can Obama Win the “Values Voter?”
Editor’s note: This is part two of a two-part series on Barack Obama and Christian voters. Click here to read part one. In 2000 and 2004, it was the churchgoing moral-religious “values voters” that made the difference for George W. … Continue reading
God and Barack Obama
Editor’s Note: This is part one of a two-part series on Barack Obama, his faith, and Christian voters. Click here to read part two. Let me begin with what I hope is a credibility enhancer: For daring to write a … Continue reading
V&V Q&A: Dr. Steve Jones on Palin, Pentecostals, and Evangelicals
Editor’s Note: The “V&V Q&A” is an e-publication from the Center for Vision & Values at Grove City College. Each issue will present an interview with an intriguing thinker or opinion-maker that we hope will prove illuminating to readers everywhere. In … Continue reading
Joe Biden’s Church Troubles
Certain elements in the news media are attacking Sarah Palin’s religious beliefs. This has included several bizarre articles, in mainstream publications, highly critical of her local church. One source blasted her “Neanderthal faith.” As usual, the liberal press is demonstrating … Continue reading
“Freedom of Choice” vs. “Born Alive:” Critical Questions for an Obama Administration
In a presidential campaign issues arise and then fade from view. The emergence of new media preoccupations may make it seem as though yesterday’s controversy has been resolved. This is rarely true. Such is the case with the issue of … Continue reading
When Does a Baby Get Human Rights?
When Pastor Rick Warren asked Barack Obama “at what point does a baby get human rights,” Sen. Obama hesitated and answered, “Well, you know, I think that whether you’re looking at it from a theological perspective or a scientific perspective, … Continue reading
Is Abortion a Risk to a Woman’s Mental Health?
Last week, the American Psychological Association plunged headlong into controversy with the release of a report from the Task Force on Mental Health and Abortion. The panel, chaired by University of California psychology professor, Brenda Major, produced a 91-page report … Continue reading
How About McCain on Conception and Embryos?
I wrote a piece last week that was hard on Barack Obama for his troubling non-answers on the question of conception, when life begins, and embryonic stem-cell research. A quick rehash: Obama has repeatedly said that he doesn’t know when … Continue reading
Obama and Abortion Survivors: Clarifying the Record
We recently posted an article at National Review on the controversy over Barack Obama’s votes in the Illinois legislature on a statewide version of the federal Born Alive Infant Protection Act (BAIPA)—i.e., legislation requiring medical personnel to provide treatment to … Continue reading
Abortion and Mental Health Effects: What Will the APA Say?
This week in Boston, the American Psychological Association Council of Representatives will vote to accept or reject a report from its Task Force on Mental Health and Abortion. Convened quietly in April 2006, the committee was asked by the APA … Continue reading
Breakaway Virginia Churches Win “Round Two”
Editor’s Note: For more information, please see a previous article by Dr. Sparks, “Seceding Virginia Parishes Win ‘First Round.’” Eleven local Virginia Episcopal Churches that have taken on the “Goliath” Episcopal Church USA (ECUSA) have won another important victory in … Continue reading
V&V Q&A: Makers and Takers with Peter Schweizer
Editor’s Note: The “V&V Q&A” is an e-publication from the Center for Vision & Values at Grove City College. Each issue will present an interview with an intriguing thinker or opinion-maker that we hope will prove illuminating to readers everywhere. This … Continue reading
Devouring the Clintons
The Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago is a raucous place. Not long ago, during the Christmas season, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright—stepping back from his repeated proclamation that “God d— America!”—paused to damn the former president of America: As … Continue reading
Revisiting the New Deal
As the New Deal celebrates its 75th birthday, it is a fitting time to reflect on the context in which it occurred, its moral and spiritual underpinnings, and its aims. By significantly increasing the size, spending, and scope of the … Continue reading
Obama and the Picture of Dorian Gray
In Oscar Wilde’s most chilling work, The Picture of Dorian Gray, the cynical, aging Lord Henry exclaims to his perpetually youthful friend, “I wish I could change places with you, Dorian. The world has cried out against us both, but … Continue reading
Conceiving Conception at Messiah
Tomorrow, Tuesday, April 22, is the big day: the crucial Pennsylvania Primary. It happens here, in my home state, at polling places in big cities like Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, medium-sized cities like Erie and Harrisburg, and small towns like mine, … Continue reading
Blessing vs. Damning America
“I’ve spoken of the shining city all my political life…. [I]n my mind it was a tall, proud city built on rocks stronger than oceans, wind-swept, God-blessed….” —President Ronald Reagan, Farewell Address, January 11, 1989 “’God Bless America?’ No, no, … Continue reading
Faith & Politics
The 12 Virginia Episcopal congregations that voted to leave the Episcopal Church in the U.S.A. (ECUSA) and its Virginia Diocese in late 2006 and early 2007 have been successful in the first round of what promises to be a protracted … Continue reading
Seceding Virginia Parishes Win “First Round”
The 12 Virginia Episcopal congregations that voted to leave the Episcopal Church in the U.S.A. (ECUSA) and its Virginia Diocese in late 2006 and early 2007 have been successful in the first round of what promises to be a protracted … Continue reading