Dwight Longenecker's Blog, page 52

Five Ways Islam is Different from Christianity

It’s easy in a secular, consumerist society to believe that all religions are really pretty much the same. You pays your money and you makes your choice. People see the different customs of the different religions, but put them on one side and they see the similarities. Hey, in the dark time of the year [Read More...]

Should We Call it “Radical Islam”?

  This article makes specific what we have known for some time: that Hillary Clinton and President Obama refuse to use the term “Islam” when referring to jihadist attacks. Do they have their head in the sand? Their reasons are that they don’t want to help demonize all Muslims for the extremist views and actions [Read More...]

Ten Things to Understand about Islam

One of the big problems in the strong emotions about Islamic violence is that we in the “Christian” West simply don’t know very much about the Islamic religion. No matter what you feel about Islam, it is worth stopping for a moment to learn more about it. While it is natural to read about the [Read More...]

How to Stem America’s Gun Violence

I’m not a gun owner and the Amish in me makes me tend toward pacifism and non-violence in all cases. However, the lack of common sense on both sides of America’s gun debate is astounding. Liberals who call for gun control can’t seem to see the bumper sticker common sense that “Guns don’t kill people. [Read More...]

Is Fundamentalism a Sickness?

Pope Francis has been quoted saying, “Fundamentalism is a sickness.” Hey. I’m a graduate of Bob Jones University. Tell me about fundamentalism… Joking aside, is fundamentalism a sickness? I agree. Fundamentalism is a sickness, but that depends of your definition of fundamentalism. I’d say fundamentalism has several characteristics. First is an extreme literalism about religion [Read More...]

In the Face of Islamic Terror- It’s Time to Ask What You Believe

Do you remember that climactic scene in the third Indiana Jones film? The Nazi sympathizer points a gun at Indiana Jones and says, “It’s time to ask yourself what you believe Dr Jones.” This is the situation the citizens of the secular West must ask themselves. In the first two movies Indiana Jones is pursuing [Read More...]

Ten Reasons Why Conservatives Distrust Pope Francis

Pope Francis continues to be controversial and confusing with his off the cuff remarks. It makes conservatives nervous. My own feeling is that God is in charge and he has given the church the Pope we need at this time. Pope Francis brings a new approach and a fresh attitude to the papacy. If he [Read More...]

Today at Suburban Hermit

Today at Suburban Hermit: a comment on the new Star Wars film using ancient Skellig Michael hermitage in Ireland as a location wisdom from Maria Boulding OSB from the Old Red Book Picture of the beautiful Romanesque Abbey Church at Fleury in France. some pictures and a personal reminiscence from Ely Cathedral in England

Luke Skywalker and Skellig Michael

Today’s post over at Suburban Hermit comments on the fact that the new Star Wars film features the ancient Irish island hermitages of Skellig Michael I have a suspicion that Luke Skywalker is holed up there as a Jedi Knight-Monk. The movie comes out in a few weeks. If you go see it watch out for the [Read More...]

Be A Mercy Pilgrim to Poland

If you have never been on a pilgrimage you need to plan one now. I used to be cynical about pilgrimages thinking they were simply expensive holidays for pious people. After I went on my first pilgrimage, however, I realized that there are special graces unlocked when you go on pilgrimage. You travel with fellow [Read More...]