Muddling Toward Maturity Blog

SOME NEWS ITEMS NOTED TODAY

Each of the following articles are well worth reading:

   -- Vice-President Mike Pence on Prayer in the White House

   -- Dr. Robert Epstein - Google has power to flip elections in a way that can't be traced

   -- Survey - 88% of Harvard Faculty say President Trump has done a very poor job in his first year and a quarter as President  

    -- Jamie Glazov suspended from Twitter for quoting  Islamic religious texts

   -- Islam in France: troubles Macron chooses to ignore 

Macron's Washington speech, as it happened, came only days after the release of the most comprehensive study yet of Islam in France. Co-sponsored by the Sorbonne, it concluded that the country's second- and third-generation Muslims, who make up seven or eight percent of its population, are increasingly Islamized. Most have no respect for French law and culture; most approve of the Charlie Hebdo massacre. Researcher Olivier Galland said his results were, “to put it mildly, harrowing” – reflective of community values in stark contrast with those of "la belle Republique. "

RONALD REAGAN ON CHRISTIAN FAITH

A friend sent me this short (under 5 minute) compilation of Reagan remarks given in various settings.  His gentleness, humility, and sincerity enobled and edified those who heard him and "had ears to hear."  But he certainly had enemies. . . 

FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT AND THE GIDEON NEW TESTAMENT

Some years ago I went to an estate sale and picked up a Gideon pocket New Testament.   I happened to pick it up just now and noticed the inscription: 

 To: Captain George Plott

 From: Chaplain William H.R. Jackson

 Date:  5/6/42. 

On the first page was a message from Franklin D. Roosevelt. 

The White House

           Washington

                      January 25, 1941

 

To the Armed Forces:

      As Commander-in-Chief I take

pleasure in commending the reading

of the Bible to all who serve in the

armed forces of the United States.

Throughout the centuries men of many

faiths and diverse origins have

found in the Sacred Book words of

wisdom, counsel and inspiration.

It is a fountain of strength and

now, as always, an aid in attaining

the highest aspirations of the

human soul.

 

                    Very sincerely yours,

       

   (Signed)  Franklin D. Roosevelt

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HOW THE UNITED STATES HAS CHANGED WITH RESPECT TO CHRISTIANITY IN THE PUBLIC SQUARE

Dr. James C. Dobson notes, "How different was the world when President Harry Truman addressed the American people from the lawn of the White House on the occasion of the lighting of the National Community Christmas Tree":

""Through Jesus Christ the world will yet be a better and a fairer place. This faith sustains us today as it has sustained mankind for centuries past. This is why the Christmas story, with the bright stars shining and the angels singing, moves us to wonder and stirs our hearts to praise. Now, my fellow countrymen, I wish for all of you a Christmas filled with the joy of the Holy Spirit, and many years of future happiness with the peace of God reigning upon this earth."

Richard John Neuhaus (1936-2009)

- Update 1/23/09 - Kathryn Jean Lopez published an outstanding interview with Robert P. George of Princeton, on the life and legacy of Neuhaus.  When asked what he would recommend to Neuhaus newcomers, George said:

I would suggest beginning with some of his great essays, such as “A New Order of Religious Freedom,” “The Idea of Moral Progress,” “ ‘Salvation is from the Jews,’ ” “How I Became the Catholic I Was,” and “We Shall Not Weary, We Shall Not Rest.”

- Update 1/22/09 - Chuck Colson remembers Neuhaus and offers comments on "Evangelicals and Catholics Together."  A valuable bibliography appears at the end of his remembrance.  1/23/09 - Christianity Today engaged Colson in an insightful interview on Neuhaus and the future of "Evangelicals and Catholics Together."

- Update 1/13/09 - Three minute video of Neuhaus on manliness and marriage

- (Original Post) Richard John Neuhaus has passed away.  I feel bereft.  The world has become an emptier place, and a certain sadness fills my soul.  The world has lost a towering figure, a penetrating thinker, a noble man -- not to mention an elegant writer.  Yes, he was a Roman Catholic, but we Protestants benefited enormously from his perspectives on the world, and he understood  us as well, since he had been a Lutheran.  He was a pioneer in "Evangelicals and Catholics Together."  See the National Review editorial for a fine summation (albeit with a few minor inaccuracies) of Neuhaus' contribution to the world.

John Podhoretz in his tribute called Neuhaus

"perhaps the most important and influential religious intellectual in the United States since the passing of Reinhold Niebuhr. . ."  In 1984, he wrote the book for which he will be remembered, "The Naked Public Square" — a concise masterpiece about the role of religion

Gene Edward Veith knows Todd Peperkorn, the pastor of a Lutheran Church in Wisconsin that is used as a polling place. On election day, he put up this message on the church sign:

Rev. Peperkorn was forced by election officials to take it down.  Question:  Should churches be used as polling places if they are forced to modify their messages?  Original discussion of the question at Veith's website can be found here.  Rev. Peperkorn's website can be found here.  Both sites post a number of comments from readers.  One person suggested, "Just edit the sign. Simply replace the words 'Want Change?' to 'Sermon.'”   Another says "Keep the sign up.  They can find another polling place."  What are your thoughts?