The New “Right” to Free Birth Control

“Birth control is as American as apple pie,” one pundit said, and failing to force insurance companies to give it away free-of-charge is denying them access, choice, and freedom. Really? As beneficial as birth control may be, how has it suddenly right that’s more important than the religious rights of employers or the right of insurance companies?

Getting Beyond One-Dimensional Politics

There are more than two sides to most political issues, and not subscribing to an extreme defined by political parties doesn’t necessarily make you a centrist. As our government continues to increase its power, we feel more powerless than ever to decide between candidates who don’t seem to share a lot of our views. But knowledge is power.

In Defense of the Offensiveness of Christmas

There’s been significant controversy in recent years with secularists on the march —and evangelicals on the defensive—in an apparent culture war over Christmas. Why would someone be offended by a cheerful “Merry Christmas” or a manger in their town square? I can think of a couple of reasons, actually…and at least one of them is pretty legitimate.

Occupy Wall Street, pt. 1: The Good, the Bad…

I’ve spent a lot of time trying to understand and engage with the Occupy Wall Street (OWS) movement and protesters. Despite some profound areas of disagreement, we share one huge concern: Powerful corporations have colluded with government officials for their mutual benefit in violation of the people’s interests. But the questions remain: What is the cause for this corruption, and what is the antidote?

Who’s Stealing our Peas: Fat Cats versus the Beast

To those of you fed up or disinterested in politics—or those bitter towards the wealthy in this country—do not be fooled by this president’s slander of economic liberty. It is his current dismantling of capitalism (through debt and government expansion) that most threatens our current and future opportunity and prosperity.

Don’t Stop Believing (Part 2 of 2)

Discernment has become a lost art, but judging rightly is necessary to live purposeful lives. But who are we to judge? And if we are to judge, what standard can we use? And then what do we do with the convictions that result?

Don’t Stop Believing (Part 1 of 2)

People of strong conviction used to be highly esteemed, but now our pluralistic society is offended by them. You can believe whatever you want, it seems, only as long as it’s politically-correct and indiscriminating. It’s high time we recognize and give greater thought to the beliefs that we live by as well as those that govern those who govern us.

List of Favorites from 2009

My personal favorites in the realms of movies, albums, songs, and television shows from 2009. Big Bang Theory, The Hangover, needtobreathe’s “The Outsiders”, and Kris Allen’s “Alright With Me” top the lists this year….

The Inequality of Equalization

Alexis de Tocqueville once said, “Democracy and socialism have nothing in common but one word, equality. But notice the difference: while democracy seeks equality in liberty, socialism seeks equality in restraint and servitude.” These are the two very different notions of equality at war within our politics and our society. The historical definition calls for blind justice and equal protection under the law, while the progressive definition calls for redistributive change to benefit a chosen few. They cannot coexist, so we must make our choice.

The Bigotry of the Faithful

Today, the bigotry that is perhaps most prevalent in our culture is being levied against religious believers by those who not only reject their ideology, but refuse to abide those who profess it. In a nation that is becoming increasingly polarized, this intolerance is divisive and destructive to both our social fabric and our intellectual discourse.