The great 20th century novelist Chaim Potok wrote, in his novel, My Name Is Asher Lev, “You have a gift, Asher Lev. You have a responsibility.” My Mom had a gift of 89 years, 89 years to live her … More>

Editor’s note: This article first appeared at CNN.com

Patti Davis, Ronald Reagan’s daughter, recently speculated on where her father might stand on same-sex marriage. Politico published her thoughts under the headline, “Patti Davis says Reagan wouldn’t have opposed gay … More>

Editor’s note: A version of this article first appeared at Forbes.com.

Sunday, April 28, marks the 255th anniversary of President James Monroe’s birth in 1758.

Recently, I had the pleasure of reading one of Harlow Giles Unger’s thorough biographies of … More>

Recently, a self-proclaimed Christian instructor at Florida Atlantic University asked his students to write “Jesus” on a piece of paper and step on it. The exercise was from a textbook manual and was designed to teach that “even though symbols … More>

Editor’s note: A version of this article first appeared at Forbes.com.

“Am I creating wealth, or am I engaging in rent-seeking behavior?” If this question would be asked during a course of business ethics at George Mason University (GMU), … More>

Parties on each side of the same-sex marriage issue often interject religion into the discussion. In my opinion, this is unhelpful. The manifest intention of the First Amendment is that the majority may not impose its religious preferences on the … More>

It is very important to distinguish rights from privileges. Rights are things we do, with which the government may not interfere. Privileges are things the government does for us. I have a right to publish my own opinions; I have … More>

Despite all the recent commotion about same-sex marriage, I don’t have a dog in this fight. But I do have an interest in the discussion being clear and civil, and I notice several factors that prevent the discussion from being … More>

Editor’s note: A longer version of this article first appeared at American Spectator.

Bill and Hillary Clinton have endorsed gay marriage, completely reversing their support of the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act, which defined marriage as between one man … More>

One of the most famous opening lines in literature comes from Leo Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina: “All happy families are like one another; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.”

Great literature causes us to think and ponder; … More>

Editor’s note: A version of this article first appeared in USA Today.

Hillary Clinton supports gay marriage. This is a major shift. Yet, as someone who wrote a book on Clinton’s faith, I can’t say I’m surprised.

Hillary Clinton … More>

Editor’s note: A version of this article first appeared at Forbes.com.

Having spent most of his life in Buenos Aires, Pope Francis has given proof that he can rise above his environment. As his compatriot Bishop Alberto Bochatey remarked, “he … More>

In response to recently being diagnosed with a rare and terminal type of brain cancer, sitcom star Valerie Harper declared, “we are all terminal.” In a cover story for “People” magazine and an interview on CNN, Harper, age 73, stressed … More>

Editor’s note: A version of this article first appeared at Forbes.com.

We will always have the poor among us (Matthew 26:11), but over a billion living on less than $1 a day? It is natural for well-meaning individuals to work … More>

Editor’s note: A version of this article first appeared as an Exclusive Special Report for American Spectator.

Today, Ronald Reagan’s Evil Empire speech turns 30 years old. It stands as one of the most memorable orations of the last … More>

 Editor’s note: A longer version of this article first appeared at American Spectator.

February is the month of presidents. It includes Washington’s birthday, Lincoln’s birthday, Ronald Reagan’s birthday, and, of course, Presidents Day. Given that I … More>

Editor’s note: A longer version of this article first appeared at American Spectator.

Liberals are apoplectic over remarks by Dr. Ben Carson at the National Prayer Breakfast. Carson, a prominent pediatric surgeon from Johns Hopkins University, dared to weigh in … More>

Stephen Spielberg’s masterful movie on Lincoln and the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation have recently brought even greater attention than usual to Abraham Lincoln. Holidays like Presidents Day remind us of Lincoln’s position on slavery and his role … More>

On February 8, 2013, Dr. Paul Kengor (executive director of The Center for Vision & Values and professor of political science at Grove City College) and Dr. Gary Scott Smith (chair of the history department at Grove City College and … More>

One of the most widely employed metaphors in today’s American political discourse is that the United States is a “city on a hill.” Especially popularized by Ronald Reagan, this phrase (taken from Matthew chapter 5) has been used by … More>

Editor’s note: A longer version of this article first appeared at National Catholic Register.

Vladimir Putin has sparked international outcry by banning adoptions of Russian children by American families. His action immediately halted the departure of hundreds of Russian orphans … More>

On Monday the United States will celebrate one of its great festivals of civil religion as Barack Obama is inaugurated for a second time. Although nothing in the Constitution mandates it (the only things the Constitution specifies are the date … More>

So how is that New Year’s resolution diet going? Will the long-term results be better than the last diet? For the majority of us, even successful diets are unsuccessful. We may lose weight, but it comes back. Most people can … More>

The greatest stories are stories that show in some way the drama of creation, fall, and redemption.

In Advent, the story of stories comes to life. The story comes to life in hymns, liturgies, and customs that touch us … More>

The gentle spirit of Christmas brings a sense of fresh promise and renewal every year. The remembrances and commemorations of the birth of an innocent baby have a softening effect. Christmas provides a respite, even surcease, from the stresses, bruises, … More>

Christ is quoted, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Therein is one of life’s toughest lessons. How do we teach our children the habit of giving?

We know that social modeling is a powerful teacher. If we … More>

Earlier this year I went to the WPXI television studio in Pittsburgh to tape an interview. The technician who escorted me inquired, “What are you here to discuss today?” When I replied, “heaven,” he asked, “Have they found … More>

As Christmas approaches, Americans are once again spending a lot of money. With that in mind, here are some thoughts on the importance of self-control in our lives.

Experience, an excellent teacher, has taught me many critical lessons. I learned … More>

It was shortly before Thanksgiving. I was in the kitchen washing dishes when I heard my first music of the holiday season. Sick of talk radio and sick of election post-mortems, I gave myself a breather, turning the FM … More>

“On the vigil of the hallows, it was gloomily and steadily raining.”

And so it is. I am quoting from a story set in 1945 London, but here we are on another eve of All Hallows and Hurricane Sandy is … More>

“Heaven is Real,” a Newsweek cover proclaimed last week. Renowned neurosurgeon Eben Alexander’s scientific worldview had previously led him to view near-death experiences as having plausible scientific explanations. However, spending seven days in a coma convinced him that … More>

Alex Karras, the former Detroit Lions All-Pro defensive tackle and later a successful actor, died on October 10. I have vivid memories of him before he ever gained immortality as “Mongo” in “Blazing Saddles” or as the stepdad of “Webster.”… More>

When discussing the possible effects on children of being raised by same-sex parents, I have told my students that the best evidence we have is that there are no negative effects. I also tell them that the best evidence we … More>

When Mitt Romney blurted out his now notorious 47-percent lament, liberal gaffe-o-meters went ballistic, acting as though he were an American Ebenezer Scrooge who had just shoved Tiny Tim Cratchit into a ditch and then burned down a crutch factory. … More>

Religious issues have played a significant role in numerous presidential elections, as they are in 2012. In 1800, his opponents accused Thomas Jefferson of atheism and trying to undermine the republic’s Christian foundation. In 1928 and 1960, many Americans … More>

The battle at the Democratic convention to exclude God from the party’s platform is no minor moment. Do not underestimate what transpired there.

And while it speaks to so many things, at many levels, it reminds me of the recent … More>

Editor’s note: A different version of this article first appeared at National Catholic Register.

Bill Clinton was basking in glory at the Democratic National Convention on Wednesday night. Few presidents so love the spotlight. The occasion for Clinton, however, … More>

Throughout human history people have pondered whether death ends their existence or is the gateway to an afterlife. In recent decades millions around the world have reported near-death or out-of-body experiences. The world’s major religions teach various conceptions of an … More>

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, we interview Dr. Craig Columbus, co-author—along with Dr. Mark Hendrickson—of the new book, “God and Man on … More>

Try to define progressivism. In fact, ask progressives to try to define progressivism. All we really know is that they’re, well, progressing. They and their ideas and their politics are always changing, evolving. This means that what … More>

President Obama’s position on gay marriage has won some converts, from (perhaps) the entirety of the Democratic Party to (especially) young people. As to the latter, one of them emailed me recently. A good-hearted, thoughtful young man, who this fall … More>

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, we interview the co-authors of ”Getting Jefferson Right: Fact Checking Claims About Our Third President.” Dr. Warren … More>

The tragic shooting in Aurora, Colorado, which killed 12 and wounded 58, has again accentuated the important role presidents play as our chief civic priest. The governor of Colorado and local clergy helped provide words of solace and encouragement to … More>

Editor’s Note: “[T]he issues here are layered and controversial. While each generation faces new medical possibilities, the 21st century is likely to see an increase in both the number and the sheer scope of what is possible. … As happens … More>

Not long ago, a group of 66 members of Congress sent a letter to Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta, urging him to issue guidance to counter an “alarming pattern of attacks on faith” in the U.S. Air Force. This was … More>

A book review of Gregg L. Frazer’s “The Religious Beliefs of America’s Founders: Reason, Revelation, Revolution,” written exclusively for The Russell Kirk Center for Cultural Renewal’s University Bookman.

Read the book review»… More>

When we open our newspapers on Father’s Day, we expect to find something nice about dads—often heroic dads. Yet, for every boy or girl whose father was a doctor or Marine who stormed the beaches of Normandy, there is … More>

“It is morning in America. Good morning, welcome back. I’ve had a zillion talks and lectures around the country and had a lot of fun—always enjoyed them. I never had as enjoyable an evening as I had at Grove City. … More>

I was recently contacted by Ben Johnson of LifeSiteNews, who told me of a fascinating development. He informed me of a curious fan of President Obama’s advocacy of gay marriage: Mariela Castro, niece of ailing and aging Cuban tyrant, … More>

During a recent trip to Chicago, I couldn’t help but notice the large number of homeless people in the downtown area, including one homeless man pushing a child in a stroller. Homelessness was frequently discussed during the 1980s, but seems … More>

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 … More>

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 … More>

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 … More>

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 … More>

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 … More>

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 … More>

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 … More>

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. … More>

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 … More>

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.” … More>

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 … More>

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… More>

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 … More>

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 … More>

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 … More>

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 … More>

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 … More>

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 … More>

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 … More>

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 … More>

Let’s have a happy debate: What are the five best Christmas movies of all time? Obviously, tastes differ and change over time. Here are my five favorites, the ones I am willing to watch every Christmas season, starting with number … More>

Last week I wrote an article on Deer Season a half century ago, focusing on my grandmother’s town in the mountains of Emporium, Pennsylvania. Each year, my grandmother and other households opened their doors and kitchens and beds to perfect … More>

This week hunters across America storm the woods loaded for deer. For yet another indication of how times have changed, consider this account of Deer Season a half century ago:

My mother’s family lived in Emporium, Pennsylvania, as did dozens … More>

How will you spend your Thanksgiving Day this year? Sleep in because you have extra days off? Settle down to watch football? Pull up a chair at four o’clock to eat a huge feast? Make plans for Black Friday, plotting … More>

Mitt Romney’s Mormon faith remains a frequent news item as the 2012 election cycle grinds on. Not long ago, a Texas evangelist called Mormonism a cult and has since been sharply criticized for stating his views. On Halloween, CNN Today… More>

Editor’s note: This article first appeared at CatholicVote.org.

Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) has a lengthy track record of jaw-dropping political statements. Among them, the lifelong Roman Catholic has been a huge disappointment to her Church on matters of unborn human … More>

Envy is sadness or discontent at another’s good fortune or excellence. Dante defined it as a perversion of one’s own good; a “wish to deprive” others of their own good. Augustine deemed it “the diabolical sin.”

Conservative columnist George … More>

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 Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton … More>

Recently, Pat Robertson, chairman of the Christian Broadcasting Network, told his “700 Club” viewers that divorcing a wife with Alzheimer’s disease is justifiable (click here). His statement came in response to a viewer’s question, and one would hope … More>

The new movie, “The Help,” based on Kathryn Stockett’s best-selling book by the same name, continues to lead ticket sales at the box office. Both dramatize the extent and tragedy of segregation and discrimination in the South during the early … More>

Vice President Joe Biden made the news again this week. Three weeks ago, Biden was in the news because of reports he had denounced Tea Party members as “terrorists,” a claim his spokespeople have attempted to deny. This week, Biden … More>

Ever heard of a “two-minus-one pregnancy?” Chances are you have not, unless you have read the recent article by that title in the New York Times Magazine. This expression, which we may have to get used to, is one … More>

Written by the administrative director of The Center for Vision & Values for WORLD Magazine.

Read the article»

 … More>

Should a 13-year-old be able to purchase a school-shooting simulator without parents’ knowledge or consent?

The Supreme Court says that freedom of speech requires that 13-year-olds have that opportunity. In a 7-2 decision, the court struck down a California law … More>

Written by the administrative director of The Center for Vision & Values for WORLD Magazine.

Read the article»

 … More>

The Red Hook section of Brooklyn recently renamed a street “Seven in Heaven Way” to honor seven firefighters who died trying to rescue victims of the September 11, 2001 attacks at the World Trade Center. The street was given this … More>

A book review of Howard Gardner’s “Truth, Beauty, and Goodness Reframed: Educating for the Virtues in the Twenty-First Century,” written for the University Bookman.

Read the book review»

 … More>

Editor’s note: A longer version of this article appears at today’s American Thinker.

Each time President Obama addresses America’s inalienable rights, I get emails. “Did you see Obama left out ‘Creator’ again?” began the latest.

The most recent occasion … More>

Among those doing excellent work on G. K. Chesterton is Joseph Pearce, the brilliant Brit who is a scholar at Ave Maria University in Naples, Florida. Pearce, like Dale Ahlquist, is unearthing all sorts of gems from Chesterton’s … More>

I encourage you to set aside the burgers and dogs and soda and beer for a moment this Fourth of July and contemplate something decidedly different, maybe even as you gaze upward at the flash of fireworks. Here it is: … More>

Editor’s note: A version of this article first appeared at CatholicVote.org.

With a critical vote in its state Senate, North Carolina has voted to de-fund Planned Parenthood. Republicans hold a huge majority in the Senate—meaning, as a Republican majority … More>

Father’s Day is a poignant occasion for me, as for many. I never knew my biological father, who died in an accident. Mom and I lived near Detroit with her oldest sister and her husband, who were childless. That’s how … More>

This November the citizens of San Francisco will decide whether to ban circumcision, a practice that dates from antiquity and is embraced by at least three of the world’s major religions. Now, the fact that something stretches far back into … More>

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—interviews the chair of the history … More>

Editor’s note: This article first appeared in the National Catholic Register.

As someone with the highly unusual task of researching old, declassified Soviet and Communist Party USA archives, I often get quizzical looks as to why certain things from … More>

To view a streaming video of Dr. Kengor’s recent interview on the Fox News Channel’s “Fox & Friends,” please click on the link below:

“On Catholics Challenging Speaker Boehner”

For MAC users: If you experience difficulty playing Windows Media files … More>

Heaven and hell are in the news and on Americans’ minds a lot lately. “Heaven Is for Real: A Little Boy’s Astounding Story of His Trip to Heaven and Back” is currently number one on The New York Times Best … More>

That is the question asked by the left-leaning Christian organization, Sojourners, in its campaign of the same name. It is a most appropriate question given the battle over the budget and given this time of year, not long after the … More>

Every April 22 is Earth Day. As one who studies Soviet Russia, I can’t help notice that the day coincides with the birthday of Vladimir Lenin. The inaugural Earth Day occurred April 22, 1970, no less than Lenin’s birth centennial.… More>

Editor’s note: This article first appeared at Crosswalk.com.

For many Americans, April 15 marked Tax Day. But it also marked an event much more redeeming. On April 15, 1947, Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in major league baseball. The … More>

Editor’s note: A longer version of this article first appeared in American Spectator.

“[W]e could well take example from Russia,” advised Planned Parenthood founder Margaret Sanger, “where birth control instruction is part of the regular welfare service of the … More>

Editor’s Note: “When government confines itself to protecting each individual’s God-given right to be safe in his or her own person and property, then people are free to go about their business as long as they don’t trespass on the … More>

Written by the administrative director of The Center for Vision & Values for WORLD Magazine.

Read the article»… More>

It was November 1, 1755, All Saints Day in the Roman Catholic faith. The churches were full as the faithful worshiped. Suddenly, the earth began to shake and continued for more than three minutes. The city of Lisbon, Portugal soon … More>

Written by the administrative director of The Center for Vision & Values for WORLD Magazine.

Read the article»… More>

Editor’s note: A version of this article was first published by The Center for Vision & Values on January 21, 2010.

Given the somber anniversary of Roe v. Wade—source of 40 million abortions since 1973—I thought I’d share an … More>

Guest Commentary

Americans take religious liberty for granted. Unfortunately, this most fundamental freedom is not protected in many countries around the world.

Religious liberty is the proverbial canary in the mine. If a state won’t respect this most basic freedom … More>

Written by the administrative director of The Center for Vision & Values for WORLD Magazine.

Read the article»… More>

Editor’s note: A longer version of this article first appeared in the American Spectator.

No, that’s not “Clarence the Angel” of It’s a Wonderful Life fame. The Clarence in this title is much less inspiring—a humbug, really. I’m thinking … More>

Recently, I was re-reading a favorite book of mine that has been on my shelf within eyesight for decades. That book is Ernest Lee Tuveson’s Redeemer Nation: The Idea of America’s Millennial Role (Chicago, 1968). Though Tuveson does not use … More>

We Americans tend to look forward to the various holidays on the calendar. Sometimes we pause to ponder the meaning of these commemorative days; often we do not. Perhaps in your own experience you can recall a Thanksgiving, an Easter, … More>

Written by the administrative director of The Center for Vision & Values for WORLD Magazine.

Read the article.… More>

Written by the administrative director of The Center for Vision & Values for WORLD Magazine.

Read the article.… More>

On December 17, 1993, the non-profit, non-partisan Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation was established by an Act of Congress and signed into law by President Bill Clinton, with a mission “to educate this generation and future generations about the history, … More>

Recent reports that nearly 20 percent of Americans believe Barack Obama is a Muslim have been widely discussed and analyzed. Moreover, according to surveys, only a third of Americans believe he is a Christian. Evangelicals are almost evenly divided, with … More>

Last month Julia Gillard was elected prime minister of Australia. Gillard is Australia’s first female and first unmarried prime minister. Even more remarkably, she won Australia’s highest office after openly declaring that she is an atheist.

It is extremely unlikely … More>

I got the email in late afternoon. “In a major liberal initiative to curtail discussion of President Obama’s religious identity,” the email began, “over 70 Christian leaders and denominational heads have signed a letter saying that questions about the religious … More>

Does the state have the right to prevent people from training for particular careers because the state disagrees with their religious beliefs? U.S. District Judge George Steeh has made just such a ruling. Eastern Michigan University expelled Julea Ward from … More>

Editor’s note: This article first appeared in USA Today.

The recent poll by the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life is generating much discussion over its provocative finding that an increasing number of Americans (nearly one in five) … More>

Written by the administrative director of The Center for Vision & Values for WORLD Magazine.

Read the article.… More>

The blogosphere is burning red, consumed with fury over President Obama’s announcement—made at the end of the news cycle, with talk-radio on weekend break—that he supports the construction of a mosque near the downed World Trade Center buildings. While much … More>

“The Unlikely Disciple: A Sinner’s Semester at America’s Holiest University” By Kevin Roose | Grand Central Publishing [Paperback] (June 3, 2010) | 336 pp. | List Price: $13.99

An emergency prayer meeting has been called. The guys on the hall … More>

The Progressive Movement at the end of the nineteenth century and beginning of the twentieth century in the United States confronted a political and social environment that was quite different from the time of the American Founders. In 1790 there … More>

Since the Rev. Jeremiah Wright incident during the last presidential campaign, there has been low-level grousing by many Christians regarding Obama’s religious convictions. He has claimed to be a Christian, but there is little traditional evidence of a consistent Christian … More>

Yesterday we celebrated Father’s Day. Do you recall the old saying attributed to Otto Von Bismarck: “Laws are like sausages. It’s better not to see them being made”? As fathers were lauded on Sunday, I suspect that most patriarchs were … More>

Editor’s Note: This article was first published by The Center for Vision & Values on June 18, 2009. “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me.” … More>

This week veteran White House correspondent Helen Thomas announced her sudden “retirement.” The source was an insight shared by Thomas outside the White House during a Jewish-American Heritage Month celebration. … More>

I first met Levi almost 20 years ago. He was about 12. We had just purchased our land from his parents, Jake and Nancy. Being old-order Amish, Jake and Nancy needed a ride to the attorney’s office, so we drove … More>

Good afternoon, thank you for joining us here today for our annual celebration of, “Wow, we survived another year!”

In all seriousness, congratulations to all of you for another excellent year in the precious story we call the history of … More>

I agree with White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel when he said, “You never want a good crisis to go to waste.” The moral lesson of this month’s Greek financial crisis was papered over by central banks to … More>

Where’s Anita Dunn when you need her?

Recall Anita Dunn, who resigned as President Obama’s communications director not long after Glenn Beck had the temerity to broadcast her jaw-dropping affirmation, made in a church no less—at a high-school baccalaureate ceremony—that … More>

In November 2008, just after the historic election of Barack Obama, I wrote a piece titled, “Pro-Life Death?” I noted that America’s choice of Obama as president and, equally important, of a massive liberal majority in Congress, constituted the death … More>

Editor’s note: A longer version of this article first appeared in American Thinker.

Progressivism is all-the-rage nowadays, with liberals having jettisoned the “liberal” label for the less maligned tag of “progressive.” This is tactical as much as philosophical. It’s fascinating … More>

The pencils I bought four years ago for my third and fourth grade Sunday school class are getting shorter while the children who have wielded them are growing taller. The school bus yellow paint is chipped and worn. The pink … More>

Editor’s Note: As we at The Center for Vision & Values prepare to wrap up our sixth annual conference tonight, we would like to thank everyone who participated in “The Progressive Surge and Conservative Crackup?” For those of you who … More>

The crash of a Polish airplane in the Russian territory of Smolensk last weekend is a stunning tragedy, taking the life of Polish President Lech Kaczynski, his wife, and high-level figures in the Polish government. Upwards of 100 people were … More>

Many Christians over many years have been beguiled by the Religious Left’s use of the term “social justice.” This is because Christians rightly love justice and hate injustice. But “social justice”—or, at least, how it’s often used by liberal Christians—isn’t … More>

Most Christians today acknowledge that caring for the poor is a biblical requisite. The primary debate among them is over how we can best fulfill this mandate, which more than 2,000 verses of Scripture prescribe. For example, a group of … More>

Charity—a loving spirit concretely expressed in unselfish good deeds to one’s fellow man—is a primary Christian duty. Nobody who has read the New Testament can come to any other conclusion.

In his parable of the good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-37), Jesus … More>

Editor’s note: A longer version of this article first appeared in The Weekly Standard. A few years ago, I wrote a book on the faith of Hillary Clinton. Released in 2007, the book flopped, dismissed by conservatives who didn’t … More>

Editor’s note: Dr. Gary Scott Smith will be a participant in an April 15-16 conference hosted by The Center for Vision & Values at Grove City College on “The Progressives.” Click here for information.

A recent article in the New … More>

I’ll begin this article with a few justifications to try to preempt irate emails from Obama supporters: First off, I write on faith, politics, and the presidency, having done books on the subject and lots of articles; this includes the … More>

Editor’s note: This is one of many coming articles from The Center for Vision & Values dealing with the topic of our April 15-16 conference on “The Progressives.” Click here for information.

The most frustrating thing I’ve dealt with in … More>

What made George Washington the most remarkable man of an extraordinary generation? He was not an intellectual giant like Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, or James Madison. Compared with most other founders, he was not well educated (he attended … More>

Should churches and individual Christians seek to help people with material problems and social needs, remedy social ills, and improve social institutions’ Throughout history many congregations, Christian organizations, and individual believers have labored to do these things. Today, however, some … More>

As of this morning, Angie Jackson’s RU-486 induced abortion has been viewed on YouTube more than 140,000 times. She said she filmed herself in the midst of an RU-486 abortion to demystify the procedure. Four weeks pregnant, she signed off … More>

On the eve of the German offensive against France in August 1914, Kaiser Wilhelm confidently asserted to some departing troops, “You will be home before the leaves have fallen from the trees.” The German monarch was known neither for his … More>

One of today’s most contentious culture wars is over the religious commitments of our nation’s founders. Were most of them orthodox Christians, deists, or agnostics’ Scholarly books, college classes, radio talk shows, and blogs all debate this issue, and the … More>

Do you ever feel forgotten, overlooked, or helpless in a world that seems increasingly confusing, rancorous, and on the brink of even more uncertainty and lurking disaster? Maybe you long for someone to come along and say, “The only thing … More>

President Obama spoke yesterday at the National Prayer Breakfast. I’ve long studied the sitting president’s remarks at these breakfasts, particularly President George W. Bush, President Bill Clinton, and President Ronald Reagan. I note this to hopefully lend a little credibility … More>

In my last article, a somber remembrance of Roe v. Wade, I called attention to something that shocked readers: I noted that the Obama administration and Democratic Congress “rejected funding for school vouchers for poor children in Washington, DC, … More>

Given the somber anniversary of Roe v. Wade—source of 40 million abortions since 1973—I thought I’d share an excellent but forgotten speech by President Ronald Reagan. The speechwriter was Peter Robinson, featured guest of our Reagan Lecture this year… More>

Adultery. I hope I don’t commit the sin in 2010, but there’s a good chance I will.

As Tiger Woods’ alleged multiple affairs became public knowledge at the end of 2009, the world witnessed the destructive nature of adultery writ … More>

Editor’s note: A version of this article first appeared at American Thinker.

Twice in this space last summer, I wrote about Iran — specifically, the dramatic June protests against the theocratic-totalitarian regime of Holocaust-denying despot Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. More than … More>

“Do any of you struggle with joy?” I asked a Sunday school class of 26 college students. To ensure an honest answer, I directed the group to close their eyes and raise a hand if they concurred. Whoa—25 hands went … More>

‘Tis the season…. That is, to not refer to the Christmas Season as the “Christmas Season.”

Of course, that’s old news. But what’s new news, or recent news, is the bewildering refusal in some quarters to call a Christmas tree … More>

2009 marks the 250th anniversary of the publication of Adam Smith’s masterful treatise on ethics, The Theory of Moral Sentiments. Smith, primarily known today for his hugely influential 1776 work on political economy, The Wealth of Nations, was … More>

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 Q&A, Dr. Paul Kengor, executive director of the Center, interviews Dinesh D’Souza, a best-selling author and former White … More>

Editor’s note: As part of its Freedom Readers lecture series, Center for Vision & Values’ Executive Director and Ronald Reagan biographer, Dr. Paul Kengor, interviewed Thomas F. O’Boyle on the evening of the 20^th anniversary of the fall … More>

As we celebrate our national Thanksgiving holiday in 2009, are you feeling worry, fear, anger, or despair about the direction of our country? Let us instead give thanks.

As we pass through this temporal world of “tares and wheat,” we … More>

Thanks to President Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, most Americans have at least heard of the godfather of community organizing, Saul Alinsky (1909-1972), and his 1971 book, Rules for Radicals. Turn on conservative talk radio any day … More>

We have a problem. This could be “the big one”—bigger than coping with theAhmadinejads, Kims, and Chavezes of the world and bigger than our current economic woes. Our republic, our society, may be heading for a crackup. We are bankrupt, … More>

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. … More>

I may get in trouble with my conservative friends for this: I am in favor of developing voter guides from a Christian perspective but I’m not in favor of distributing them at church.

Perhaps you’ve seen these guides made available … More>

“The single best indicator of how a person will vote is how he or she worships God,” says pollster Frank Luntz in What Americans Really Want . . . Really. Does Luntz’s insight apply to the way people view … More>

With his head under my kitchen sink last week, talking politics and using tools I had never seen, Keith the plumber said, “My daughter stood up in class and told her eighth grade school teacher, ‘I’ll read your assignments on … More>

In its rejection of the American über-Olympian’s support for the 2016 Chicago games, the International Olympic Committee signaled an opportunity for the resurgence of Western Christian culture.

In his book A Country I Do Not Recognize, Robert Bork cites … More>

A story in last week’s news focused on the mysterious reappearance of Jaycee Lee Dugard, a 29-year-old woman who had been kidnapped 18 years earlier—snatched into a car while walking home from school. As the details of her imprisonment emerge, … More>

We are now well into summer vacation, and it is time for a quiz. How many hours per night does your teen sleep during vacation? How many hours of sleep does your teen get on school nights during the school … More>

Each year, in early August, debate reemerges over the use of atomic weapons to end World War II. Some historians justify their use given the prospects for a long, bloody invasion of Japan. Conversely, other historians, along with liberal theologians, … More>

Editor’s note: This article first appeared at WORLDmag.com. Reprinted with permission of WORLDmag.com. To read more news and views from a Christian perspective, call 800-951-6397 or visit www.worldmag.com.

As Sonia Sotomayor was readying for her confirmation hearings, The New York … More>

We hear a lot about “stem cells,” which are front-and-center as a major policy debate in America, one that involves science, medicine, ethics, politics, and much more.

What are the issues? What’s at stake? What are embryonic and non-embryonic stem … More>

Will you be celebrating prudence this July 4th? Maybe you should. Or, at the least, it’s worth pausing to think about.

Prudence is a timeless virtue never more relevant than right now. And, as usual, the American Founders, in their … More>

Americans have long been fascinated with and sometimes disturbed by the faith of their presidents, and Barack Obama’s faith is no exception. U.S. News and World Report recently claimed that “Obama has embraced faith in a more visible way” than … More>

In May 1995, his first year as Pennsylvania governor, Tom Ridge was invited by Gannon University, a Catholic college in Erie, Pa., to give the commencement address and receive an honorary degree. But the distinguished Republican and native son had … More>

Is he pro-life or pro-choice? That was the giant unknown hanging in the balance one day in 1990 as President George H. W. Bush nominated a mystery man named David Souter for a Supreme Court seat. Both sides of the … More>

This May, Notre Dame University will host President Barack Obama to inspire its graduates as they are sent into the world. Obama will be awarded an honorary degree. For the record, this will be a direct violation of the American … More>

Editor’s note: A longer version of this article first appeared in American Thinker.

As an unprecedented, colossal “stimulus” package was passed by the new president and Congress, something rather extraordinary … More>

The biblical parable of the 10 virgins (Matthew 25:1-12) is particularly relevant today. As you may recall, the five wise virgins behaved responsibly and prudently, making sure they had enough lamp oil for the midnight arrival of the bridegroom. The … More>

The common mantra of pro-choice politicians is that they do not favor abortion. Quite the contrary, they want abortion to be “safe, legal, and rare.” Pro-choicers generally hold to this position; thus, as they are quick to note, they are … More>

Editor’s Note: “Does religious participation have benefits for character development? For most of American history this question would have seemed foolish. Most Americans would have responded that religious participation was essential for character development. Today, however, the value of religion … More>

Every time it seems the so-called Democratic People’s Republic of Korea is about to join the “world community,” the regime in Pyongyang reminds us of its criminal nature. A North Korean soldier not long ago shot and killed … More>

When an author argues that there is no God, that’s his personal business—something between him and the Creator. But when an author, in addition to denying God, asserts that monotheism is a net negative for the human race, a rebuttal … More>

Five years ago this week, something remarkable happened, which has been conveniently forgotten: On December 13, 2003, one of history’s worst dictators, Saddam Hussein, was captured by U.S. troops.

America awakened to the news on Sunday, December 14, as a … More>

The trashing of Sarah Palin continues. Some of the shots have been downright ugly, such as the “Retarded Republican Babies for Sarah Palin” t-shirts. Equally notable, however, is the odd one-two punch of liberal journalists and moderate Republican leakers pounding … More>

The question of where Barack Obama and his family will go to church after he takes office is attracting a lot of media attention. As the author of “Faith and the Presidency: From George Washington to George W. Bush,” I … More>

Both our media and our politicians tell us that it is a terrible time to rear children. As parents, we are tempted to sing, “Why can’t they be like we were, perfect in every way?” We understand totally when one … More>

Throughout recorded history, most human beings have been poor. Poverty has been the norm and affluence the exception. Given a choice, most of us would rather be affluent than poor, but in this year of jarring financial losses, many of … More>

A potential big battle has begun, one of special interest to all Christians and guaranteed to generate a lot of attention from all Americans.

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has issued a stern warning to president-elect Obama … More>

Recently,  the executive director of the Center for Vision & Values, Dr. Paul Kengor, explained that an Obama administration will likely eliminate the legislative and legal tools that the pro-life community has been trying to use to reduce or eliminate … More>

Old Town Alexandria, Northern Virginia—Jogging through this gorgeous, historic town the first Saturday after the Tuesday vote, which elected the most leftist presidential candidate in American history, it isn’t difficult to see how the typically Republican state of Virginia went … More>

The victory for Barack Obama and the Democratic Party on Tuesday is the death of the pro-life movement as we know it. The pro-life movement has sought to reverse abortion through legislative action and the courts, and made tremendous gains … More>

The New Year is here. It is time for the annual ritual of resolving to improve ourselves. The joke of course is that New Year’s resolutions rarely last beyond January. At our local YMCA one can observe the increase in … More>

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 … More>

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. … More>

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 … More>

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. … More>

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 … More>

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 … More>

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, … More>

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 … More>

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 … More>

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 … More>

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 … More>

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 … More>

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. … More>

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 … More>

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 … More>

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, … More>

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, … More>

“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, … More>

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 … More>

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 … More>

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. … More>

In recent years, it has become fashionable among secular journals to mark Easter week by publishing articles denying that Jesus Christ was resurrected from the tomb. It seems they can always find someone with the credentials of a Christian minister … More>

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. … More>

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. … More>

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. … More>

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. … More>

On June 28, 1389 the Serbs lost to the Ottomans at Kosovo Field in the Battle of Kosovo. This began a 500-plus year dominance by the Ottoman Turks in Central Europe, and particularly in that powder keg known as the … More>

$2,700,000 for 30 seconds of air time for Super Bowl XLII? That price tag is enough to make your heart jump right out of your chest!

Sunday night the heart that jumped out with an “I Quit!” message for the … More>

As we celebrate Presidents’ Day in 2008, we are in the midst of campaigns to select Democratic and Republican nominees for president. Recognizing that George W. Bush’s candid discussion of his faith played a key role in his electoral success … More>

America this week marks the 35th anniversary of Roe v. Wade. The court case is frequently a matter of debate, especially the breathtaking judicial logic on which it is based. The constitutionality of Roe is just one of innumerable … More>

On this anniversary of Roe v. Wade let us consider legalized abortion as not just a court case but a sign, and ask, “What does it signify for us as nation, a culture, a civilization?”

At the height of another … More>

Editor’s Note: In this special “V&V Q&A” remarking upon the 35th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, Dr. Warren Throckmorton, a respected national voice on the abortion issue and a fellow at the Center for Vision & Values at Grove … More>

A mother who has been taking medication finds that she is pregnant. She is told by her physician that the fetus has surely been irreversibly damaged. Her physician encourages her to have an abortion. Fortunately for college football fans, Pam … More>

Editor’s Note: With the holiday season now upon us and with Christmas quickly approaching, people around the globe are preparing to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. And with the birth of Jesus comes a message of hope for all … More>

In a recent radio interview I was asked the hypothetical question “If you had to choose between candidate A who did not profess to be a Christian but had extensive political experience and candidate B who was a devout Christian … More>

“Look, Charlie Brown, we all know Christmas is a big commercial racket.”

Every year my family eagerly awaits the annual broadcast of the classic 1965 Peanuts special, “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” This timeless masterpiece by Charles Schulz remains so … More>

Americans are hoping and praying for relief from rising gasoline, oil and electricity prices. We are uncomfortable importing so much of our raw energy supplies from unstable parts of the world. Many of our compatriots, not understanding the minuscule impact … More>

The next presidential election is one year away. In 2004 evangelicals voted for George W. Bush by a ratio of nearly 4-to-1 and seemed poised to have a major impact on Bush’s second administration. However, except for Bush’s Supreme Court … More>

Politics is often a matter of life and death. There are constant reminders of this, from the war in Iraq to America’s abortion debate. The most telling examples, though, often pass unnoticed. Such an example is currently simmering … More>

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. … More>

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. … More>

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. … More>

Browse the internet and you will find hundreds of sites and essays debating whether the United States is a Christian nation.  Many claim that the mixture of religion and politics is volatile, and no aspect of their relationship currently causes … More>

I’m typically not prone to conspiracy theories. Yet, I have reason to suspect that Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama may be coordinating their campaign strategies. This is especially apparent in their strikingly similar bids to win the religious “values voters” … More>

October 4 marks the 50th  anniversary of the Soviet launch of Sputnik, an event that caused profound shock and panic verging on hysteria in the United States. Newsweek declared that Sputnik constituted a Soviet victory in three areas: pure science, … More>

In an era where serious news of war and terrorism is punctuated by leading ministers and Senators unraveled by homosexual urges, a study of gays seeking to be straight should captivate those curious about the mysteries of sexual orientation. Mostly … More>

In 2005, the Center for Vision and Values hosted a conference about poverty in the United States and different approaches to alleviating it. During the Q&A session after one of the presentations, a Grove City College student asked what actions … More>

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.  … More>

“MATCHING GIFT CAMPAIGN DEADLINE,” headlined the direct mail letter from Amnesty International. Executive Director Larry Cox said, “I can’t stress strongly enough how important it is for Amnesty International to maximize our resources at this critical moment.”

I’ve … More>

Editor’s Note: In this latest edition of the “V&V Q&A,” the executive director of the Center for Vision & Values, Dr. Paul Kengor, interviews Joe Loconte, Senior Fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center, and one of America’s most … More>

As summer nears a close, I must express frustration over a problem that worsens for us each summer as our family grows, and which I imagine also frustrates other families our size.

We have four children, ages 2 to 10, … More>

First, full disclosure: In my youth, I engaged in some serious substance abuse. Today I am a teetotaler, but I do not object to other people consuming alcohol. I hate smoke, but I defend the right of others to smoke. … More>

“Surgeon General’s Warning: Attention Pregnant Mothers, Smoking Crack Can Be Hazardous to Your Baby’s Health.”

I once saw this mock warning label in a political cartoon attacking the idea of legalizing drugs. It was a wonderfully cutting illustration of what … More>

If political rhetoric—on subjects about which elected officials know little or nothing—is discovered to somehow exacerbate global warming, then our weary planet is indeed in deep trouble. Or perhaps not. Minnesota Congressman Keith Ellison’s comments that compared Hitler to Bush, … More>

When the Reverend Jerry Falwell passed away recently we were told that his greatest sin was blurring the lines of separation between church and state, of “shoving” his personal faith and values down the throats of everyone else.

While Falwell … More>

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. … More>

On January 20th, 2009, when either Hillary Clinton, John McCain, Fred Thompson, Mitt Romney, John Edwards or Barack Obama is sworn in as the nation’s 44th president as Rudy Giuliani, private citizen looks on, it’s quite possible that … More>

Although the presidential election of 2008 is still 17 months away, it is already very contested as indicated by the 18 announced Republican and Democrat candidates, the huge amount of money raised, and the numerous televised debates and forums of … More>

May 29 marks the 90th  anniversary of John F. Kennedy’s birth. Kennedy was struck down by an assassin’s bullet in the prime of life, prompting national anguish. His vitality, idealism, powerful rhetoric, and charisma inspired many younger Americans to social … More>

The Supreme Court’s recent decision banning partial-birth abortion has renewed public interest in abortion politics and policy. Despite the infrequency of late-term abortions, the ban is significant because it strikes at one rationale for the general availability of abortion: the … More>

Editor’s Note: Reflecting the breadth and depth of top-notch scholarship being pursued by the faculty of Grove City College, the Center for Vision & Values is pleased to release the third in a series of exclusive monthly white papers being … More>

The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Gonzales v. Carhart is an important step away from the cruel practice of abortion. Although it upholds only the Partial-birth Abortion Ban Act of 2003 (President Clinton vetoed similar bans twice) and therefore does … More>

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. … More>

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. … More>

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. … More>

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. … More>

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. … More>

In the sea of daytime talk, the “Montel Williams Show” is a popular island for many viewers. Always looking for controversy, the Montel team recently examined claims that fallen minister Ted Haggard had been cured of homosexuality by three weeks … More>

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. … More>

Of late, every time ex-minister Ted Haggard speaks, he brings the issues of homosexuality, religion and psychotherapy into the national spotlight.

Stepping into this discussion is one of the most influential and innovative psychologists in the nation, Dr. Nicholas Cummings. … More>

The documentary “The Lost Tomb of Jesus” hadn’t even aired yet and many Christians were already in a panic. Just the suggestion that someone found Jesus’ bones in a limestone box had believers by the droves shaking their … More>

For those who believe in the global warming (GW) theory (i.e., that human activity is heating the planet to dangerous levels) the ace of trump has been played. On Groundhog Day 2007, the U.N.’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) … More>

I have a friend named Jim, who many people would think of as gay, or at least bisexual. However, he doesn’t see himself that way. He is married but has been attracted to men for as long as he can … More>

Due to my websites about sexual identity issues, I receive many inquiries from people asking why people are gay. Recently, a note from a mom writing about her son caught my eye. She wrote:

He saw a Christian counselor for … More>

The celebration of Presidents Day is a good occasion to reconsider a vital aspect of Abraham Lincoln’s life: his faith. Like George Washington’s, Lincoln’s faith has been closely scrutinized, hotly debated and often misunderstood. Both men attributed their success in … More>

On Thursday, January 11, the new Democratic Congress followed through on its ambitious agenda to promote embryonic stem-cell research. As it moves forward, President George W. Bush will be grabbing his veto pen. As he does, we will hear charges … More>

Stranger things may have happened in the annals of church history, but the recent lopsided votes in several Virginia Episcopal congregations may qualify as among the strangest at first glance. Why? They voted in favor of leaving that denomination’s Virginia … More>

It’s difficult to explain how much the world has changed in 25 years. Those who lived through December 1981 would be well-served to pause this Christmas season and give thanks for the differences.

In December 1981, much of the world … More>

Given the decision making power of Santa Claus on the matter of gifts, my children make sure they leave Mr. Claus some seriously good cookies on Christmas Eve. However, most children don’t know that there is much more to the … More>

Eat right. Wear seatbelts. Avoid cigarettes. Use sunscreen.

Yearly, thousands of college kids hear this wisdom from their university health services and wellness professors.

However, it is unlikely that these same students will hear this gem: “Casual sexual liaisons on … More>

The vagueness of the term “stem cell research” is one of the biggest problems in the ongoing stem cell debate. Writers, debaters, scientists, public figures and politicians should differentiate between “embryonic stem cell research” and “non-embryonic stem cell research” in … More>

Mark Twain said once: “Rumors of my death have been greatly exaggerated.” If environmental factors in sexual orientation could talk, they might say the same thing. For sure, social or family factors in … More>

Riding an exercise bike at my employer’s physical fitness center, I saw live images on the large television screen shot from Paradise, Pa. At first there were no people in the scenes, just buildings and a message at the bottom … More>

As the midterm elections heat up, it is a good time to discuss the political use of religion. Many have linked Republicans’ electoral success in 2000 and 2004 to their ability to appeal to the values of religious voters. Exit … More>

Representatives of the religion of peace have had their hands full over the past week or so with organizing demonstrations, burning the pontiff in effigy, promising to assassinate him, instigating church bombings, killing at least one nun, and generally threatening … More>

Medical expenses are rising faster than the costs of any other service. They are climbing at rates that exceed not only those of inflation and dollar depreciation but even the Federal government itself. In fact, they are consuming an ever … More>

Does family birth order predict homosexual orientation?

If you read the popular press, you might think so. A recent report from Canadian psychologist, Anthony Bogaert, in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences suggests a link for males, but … More>

As I watched the latest debate over stem cells in Washington, I was struck by the Democrats’ confidence that this could be a winning issue for them in the fall elections. Yes, in recent years public support for stem cell … More>

Editor’s Note: The following commentary first appeared in The Washington Times on Wednesday, June 7, 2006 and has been reprinted here with the author’s permission.

The proposed Marriage Protection Amendment to the U.S. Constitution does not violate principles … More>

I was awakened this morning at 4:45 a.m. by a ringing telephone. A call that early in the morning often brings bad news—sometimes news of a death. I braced myself. The call was indeed about a death, but the news … More>

Our cousins in Great Britain, from whom we inherited a language, a political culture and, most specifically, the principle of freedom of speech, are going off the deep end, to judge from the jailing of Edward Atkinson.  Here’s the background:… More>

Editor’s Note: Dr. Paul Marshall is a Senior Fellow at the Center for Religious Freedom and will be participating in the April 5-6, 2006 conference hosted by the Center for Vision & Values at Grove City College titled, “Mr. Jefferson … More>

GROVE CITY – Although one of the focuses of Grove City College’s Center for Vision and Values remains on the community, the recently formed think tank is having an impact on public policy on a national level.

The Center for … More>

On February 22, 2006, the Grove City Society for Science, Faith and Technology will sponsor a one-day conference entitled Medicine and Theology: From Embryos to the Posthuman. This conference will be held in the Sticht lecture room of the Hall … More>

In recent weeks, Judge Samuel Alito Jr. has been portrayed as everything from “anti-woman” to a racial bigot. His confirmation hearings got so ugly that his wife, in the most regrettable image of the hearings, left the room in tears. … More>

Consider for a moment the following three quotations, all made by First Lady Laura Bush during her recent trip to Africa:

On the AIDS crisis: “But when girls are not empowered, when girls are vulnerable, their chances of being able … More>

Recent research from Norway and New Zealand has reported an association between abortion and subsequent mental health problems. Although the two investigations are not the first to suggest such a relationship, they are well-designed studies suggesting that abortion may be … More>

A new study from New Zealand, published in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, raises important questions about the impact of abortion on the mental health of women. Researchers found that those reporting abortion prior to age 21 had … More>

A recent book edited by eminent psychologists Rogers Wright and Nicholas Cummings delivers a stunning indictment of the mental health professions. Destructive Trends in Mental Health: The Well-Intentioned Path to Harm  documents and critiques the ascent of social activism over … More>

Unfortunately, one of the ways I know that Christmas is coming is that I begin to hear stories about some kerfuffle or another regarding religion in the public square. One year it’s a nativity scene, the next it’s a menorah, … More>

Of the hundreds of articles I’ve written, I’ve never done a piece on the issue of gay adoption. However, I was recently so struck by a particular court case that I feel compelled to weigh in.

Jennifer Roback Morse, a … More>

Sheryl Swoopes is arguably the finest female basketball player ever. No, check that, actually there is no argument; as a three-time MVP in the Woman’s National Basketball Association (WNBA), and three-time gold medal Olympian, she is the best. So when … More>

Many gay religionists insist that Jesus never mentioned homosexuality and thus could not have opposed it. Often conservatives counter that He taught against any form of sexual expression other than heterosexual marriage, so He did not need to specify every … More>

Religious conservatives worried about the Harriet Miers nomination, and her stance on abortion and other social-cultural issues, ought to step back and consider the transparent religious faith of President George W. Bush and his Supreme Court associate justice nominee.

The … More>

Is there a battle over gay teens? If you can believe a recent Time  Magazine cover story, a war is on between gay activists and social conservatives over adolescents who are declaring gay and lesbian identities at early ages. The … More>

One of America’s A-list gay couples has broken up.

No, it’s not Rosie and Kelli. It’s Roy and Silo. Roy and Silo are male penguins. Chinstrap penguins to be exact.

About six years ago, Roy and Silo set up housekeeping … More>

By now everyone knows that a California judge has ruled the pledge of allegiance unconstitutional. Specifically, Senior District Court Judge Lawrence Karlton has ruled that the pledge’s reference to one nation “under God” violates the right of school children to … More>