The workman is not in harmony with his social position if he is not convinced that he has his deserts. —Emile Durkheim These people kill themselves slowly with alcohol or drugs, or quickly with a gun. —Anne Case, Princeton economist…
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The myth of a monochrome ‘Western’ civilization
If Western civilization is defined by religion and culture, then Mexico—with its Catholic heritage and historic ties to European monarchies—is unquestionably an outpost of “the West.” But for Trump and his advisers, it too is a threat to the Western…
The crusaders versus the infidels: Moscow’s muscular Christianity
After learning that New St. Andrews College now has permission to take over more of downtown Moscow, I thought I would check out its website. I had not done so since 2010, and I was in for a surprise. Instead…
In praise of Asian monarchs: past and present
In late May 1992, against the advice of the State Department, I travelled to Thailand for a two-week visit. There had been a military coup the previous year, and on May 17, an estimated 200,000 Thais gathered in Bangkok to…
In praise of all beings with hearts and minds
About 500 protesters (including 30 counter demonstrators) gathered near the office of Planned Parenthood in Pullman, Washington on last Saturday morning. Those who were interviewed by the local newspaper were repeating arguments that have been discredited. Contrary to their claims,…
Pope Francis, unbridled capitalism and the destruction of the environment
Pope Francis’ recent encyclical about the dangers of human-caused climate change has received mixed reviews across the world. The pope criticizes conservative politicians for their “cowardice” in resisting the overwhelming evidence that God’s creation is “being pillaged, laid waste and…