The Likely Outcome of the Methodist Schism
An interesting analysis from Prof. Mark Movsesian (St. John's).
Religion
Thank You, Ram Dass!
The pioneering psychedelic researcher, Timothy Leary collaborator, and New Age seeker exemplified America's postwar turn to individualism.
Everyone Is Confused About Trump's Executive Order on Judaism
Plus: the foundations bankrolling bad tech policy, they is the word of the year, and more...
Monty Python Meets the Bishop
Friday A/V Club: The 40th anniversary of Life of Brian's British debut—and of a legendary TV debate
Occult Features of Anarchism
An anthropologist examines secret societies, revolutionary movements, and esoteric ideas.
The Supreme Court's Next Big School Choice Case
What’s at stake in Espinoza v. Montana Department of Revenue.
Arizona's Supreme Court Rules Christian Calligraphers Can't Be Forced to Make Gay Wedding Invitations
Justices rule that invitations are expressive speech and businesses cannot be compelled to write messages they oppose.
Catholic School Pastor Thinks Harry Potter's Spells Are Real, Bans the Books
Harry Potter and the Baffling Return of Religious Panic
Neal Stephenson Wants To Tell Big Stories
An economist and a science fiction author discuss cryogenics, mythology, philanthropy, fragmentation, and simulation.
Christian Satire Site The Babylon Bee Is So Good Snopes.com Treated It Like Real News
Editor in Chief Kyle Mann talks about being taken literally by fact checkers, whether any subject (even a mass shooting) is off limits, and the libertarian sensibility of his humor.
Marianne Williamson Wants To Win the Presidency With the Power of Love and Miracles
The long American spiritual tradition that gave us Marianne Williamson—and Donald Trump
The New Theocrats Are Neither Conservative Nor Christian
By rejecting classical liberalism, Sohrab Ahmari and his ilk deny the dignity of the human person.
Hail Satan? A New Documentary Depicts Devil Worshipers as Unlikely Defenders of the First Amendment
Director Penny Lane chronicles the rise of the Satanic Temple, a group that combines theatrical stunts with political activism.
Texas Would Rather Ban All Chaplains from Execution Chambers Than Placate One Buddhist Inmate in His Final Moments
Equal treatment under the law can mean everyone is treated equally poorly
Arthur Brooks Wants You To Love Your Enemies: Podcast
The president of the American Enterprise Institute says we need to reboot politics and that libertarians may hold the key.
Squawking NIMBYs Fail To Doom Halal Chicken Slaughterhouse
The Alexandria City Council voted to approve the butchery's special-use permit.
Parents, Not Government, Should Decide How To Teach Their Kids About LGBT Issues
A fight in England between educators and Muslims shows the need for more school choice, not control.
In Giant Cross Case, Justices Struggle to Clean Up a 'Dog's Breakfast' of Confusing Precedents
The alternatives suggested by defenders of the monument do not seem much better.
Can a Giant Christian Cross Be Secular?
The challenge to a World War I memorial in Maryland illustrates the confusion caused by the Supreme Court's Establishment Clause cases.
Report from 'Alienated America': Podcast
For his new book, Timothy Carney toured parts of the country that are working and parts that are not. What he found is deeply disturbing.
Wyoming State Senator Invokes Jesus Dying to Defend Death Penalty
There's so much wrong with her argument.
Judge Says a College Club Has the Right To Demand Its Leaders Abide by Christian Values
The University of Iowa revoked credentials from Business Leaders in Christ for setting sex and marriage requirements for its leaders.
A Texas County's GOP Is Split Over the Vice Chair's Muslim Religion
Shahid Shafi identifies as a Republican because he believes in small government.
Big Changes for Birth Control Rules, but Not Big Enough
The Obamacare contraception mandate is getting a Trump-era overhaul.
Christian Group Clarifies That Trump Is Not Jesus
A perplexing billboard made their views on the matter unclear.
In Europe and in Pakistan, Two Women Are Condemned for Insulting Muhammad
Anti-hate speech laws have gone too far.
Quebec Nationalists: Teachers Shouldn't Wear 'Religious Signs,' But a Crucifix Hanging in the Legislature Is OK
The Coalition Avenir Quebec claims the crucifix hanging in the National Assembly isn't a religious symbol.
A Priest Is Being Deported After Committing the Heinous Crime of Voting
Father David Boase was led to believe that he was eligible to vote. His mistake caught up with him 12 years later.
China 'Legally Bans' a Protestant Church Over Surveillance
The church denied the government's request to install CCTVs.
Law & Order: Hate Crimes Is a Bad Idea Built on Worse Statistics
But if the show must exist, I have some ripped-from-the-headlines ideas for upcoming plots.
The Case for a Consistent Approach to Government Discrimination on the Basis of Religion
Both right and left decry implicit government discrimination on the basis of religion when it targets groups they sympathize with. But both are all too ready to turn a blind eye in other cases.
Skeptical of the 'Common Good'? Don't Be!
Libertarians think freedom creates the conditions that lead to human flourishing. The Catholic Church has a name for that.
Satanists Use Freedom of Religion To Call for Installation of Demonic Statue in Arkansas State Capitol
"This is a rally for all people who hold sacred the founding Constitutional principles of Religious Freedom and Free Expression..."
Mandatory 'In God We Trust' Signs Greet Florida Students at Start of School Year
Thanks to legislation that passed in March, all Florida public schools must display "In God We Trust" signage in "a conspicuous place."
A Gospel Group Sings Praises After Facebook Restores a Music Video It Deemed 'Political'
Facebook apologizes to Zion's Joy! after treating a music video like a campaign ad.
Initial Thoughts on the Supreme Court's Terrible Travel Ban Decision
Some preliminary comments on a badly flawed ruling.
Steven Pinker Loves the Enlightenment
The Harvard psychologist splits the difference between Dr. Pangloss and Pope Francis.
No Freedom From the Church of America
The religion this church administers is Americanism, a species of nationalism.
Split the Baby. Drink the Poison. Carry the Hot Iron. Swear on the Bible
How courts exploit superstition to uncover hidden truths
