Gene Edward Veith Jr.'s Blog, page 98
February 9, 2017
Another Dead Sea Scrolls cave discovered
Archeologists have discovered a 12th cave that once held Dead Sea scrolls, ancient Biblical and other texts dating from 400 B.C. to 100 A.D. This cave, though, had been looted and contains no scrolls. (One wonders, where are they?) But it does preserve some artifacts from the ancient Jews–whether members of the Essene sect or, [Read More...]
February 8, 2017
A rite for changing to a new gender?
At Baptism, among other things, a child is named. So what about those who later get a new name along with a new gender? Some LGBT activists in churches are urging the adoption of a new service “akin to baptism” to mark and to formally bless transgender transitions. Officials of the Church of England have [Read More...]
A catalog of fake news stories about Trump
Trump’s opponents seem to have coined the term “fake news” to describe hearsay and rumors that circulated on the internet in support of his campaign. But now the anti-Trump hysteria has reached such a fever pitch that the mainstream media is churning out fake news about the president and his administration. Never mind professional standards of objectivity and [Read More...]
Betsy DeVos wins confirmation, barely
The Senate confirmed Betsy DeVos as Secretary of Education, after an intense Democratic effort to stop her. With two Republicans voting against her, the final vote was tied, meaning that Vice President Pence, exercising his prerogative as president of the Senate, cast the deciding vote in her favor. DeVos is an educational reform activist and [Read More...]
February 7, 2017
How “strange” it was that Rome became Christian
That a religion like Christianity converted Rome and its empire is a “historical anomaly,” a “strange” fact of history. Classicist and historian Michael Kulikowski tells the tale. His perspective is secular, his evidence is objective, and he does not consider the truth or the supernatural realities behind what Christians taught. So what he says and [Read More...]
Putting Iran “on notice”
President Trump has put Iran “on notice” for its recent ballistic missile tests, which were forbidden by its accord with the previous administration. An article in the Washington Post shows how Iran has grown into a major military power, forming alliances throughout the Middle East and becoming one of the few nations capable of projecting military [Read More...]
Don’t expect a religious freedom order
A draft copy of an Executive Order on religious freedom was leaked, creating indignation among liberals and joy among social conservatives. It would allow for an exemption for those whose religious beliefs do not allow for accommodation on LGBT issues. But Trump has been given a whole raft of Executive Order drafts, whose supporters hope for [Read More...]
February 6, 2017
Pastors have happier marriages, stronger families than usual
Barna Research has published a new study on the problems, challenges, and personal life of pastors. (You can buy the study here.) Among many other findings is that, on the whole, pastors have much happier marriages and much better relationships with their children than typical Americans. And yet, despite their strong families, pastors report that [Read More...]
Judge reverses Trump’s immigration order
A federal judge has thrown out President Trump’s executive order on immigration. So visitors and would-be immigrants from the seven banned countries are pouring in, lest the ruling be thrown out on appeal. Trump, of course, has tweeted his fury. Expect similar legal battles on virtually all of President Trump’s controversial initiatives throughout his term. [Read More...]
Did Trump slander America?
In an interview aired Sunday, Bill O’Reilly asked President Trump why he is so supportive of Russian strongman Vladimir Putin. After all, said O’Reilly, “Putin’s a killer.” “There are a lot of killers,” Trump replied. “Got a lot of killers. What, do you think our country’s so innocent?” Says a Wall Street Journal editor, “Trump [Read More...]
