Religion | Religious News - www.mreligion.com

Video: Victor Claar on the moral legacy of John Maynard Keynes

Last Thursday, we were pleased to e Victor Claar, associate professor of economics in the Lutgert College of Business at Florida Gulf Coast University, to participate in the 2019 Acton Lecture Series with an address on the moral legacy of John Maynard Keynes. Keynes, of course, had a massive impact on the understanding, teaching of, and implementation of economic principles in the second half of the 20th century (and still today); In this lecture, Claar examines the broader cultural impact...

The social responsibility of Chick-fil-A is to make delicious sandwiches

Chicken giant or giant chicken? That is the question conservative mentators are asking this week as news broke that restaurant chain Chick-fil-A, known for being closed on Sunday due to its owners’ Christian values, announced that it will no longer support the Salvation Army and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Both organizations — the former of which, notably, is not simply a charity but a Christian denomination — have been labelled anti-LGBT by activists due to their hiring practices. Chick-fil-A...

Acton Line podcast: How property rights save the planet

Panic surrounding climate change and the environment is on the rise and doomsday predictions abound. Most headlines about the environment only tell one story: that the environment is on the decline and that this decline is a result of economic development. In March, The Guardian declared that “ending climate change requires the end of capitalism.” But in the midst of calls for the Green New Deal and calls to overhaul our economic system, there’s another story unfolding. Holly Fretwell, Director...

The perfect lap

In this week’s Acton Commentary, I take a look at Ford v Ferrari, the new feature film that captures the story (it’s a true thrill ride) animating the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans. This is all about the pursuit of excellence, even perfection, by two industrial organizations whose cultures couldn’t be more different, and drivers constantly striving for the “perfect lap” as pete for the checkered flag. Against Ford’s mass scale industrialization and Organization Man culture, Ferrari was about...

Guarding our hearts in an age of mass and social media

I try to guard my attention closely for, as King Solomon admonishes, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” (Proverbs 4:23). I don’t always succeed, but on my best days I focus on things I truly wish to understand through diligent study and things which I am able to do something about. The rest I trust to God and His providence. As Eli Lapp instructs his grandson in the film Witness, “What you take...

Kanye West, Chick-fil-A, and the need for authenticity

One year ago, no one could have predicted that American Christians would hold Kanye West in higher esteem than Chick-fil-A. Yet the nation has seen two cultural transformations take place this week at the intersection of faith merce. Kanye West sang Gospel music to prisoners this weekend, as Chick-fil-A readied a statement that it was ending its partnership with several distinctly Christian charities. American Christians, who make up 70 percent of the U.S. population, have reacted accordingly. West’s latest CD,...

The beatification of Venerable Fulton J. Sheen

This week, the Diocese of Peoria, Illinois, announced that the Venerable Fulton J. Sheen will be beatified on December 21st in that city’s Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception. It’s a fitting moment in time for Sheen’s beatification. The diocese noted that the ceremony will take place at the end of this 100-year anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood. But perhaps more meaningful, Sheen’s beatification is happening during these tumultuous times, when political discourse seems to have...

RELIGION & LIBERTY

Challenges Facing the Culture

R&L: What did you mean when you subtitled your 1989 book Against the Night, “Living in the New Dark Ages.” Have the last four years changed your views? Colson: When I wrote Against the Night, I was fearful that we were entering the new dark ages, that the barbarians were not only at the gates of our culture ing over the walls. Looking over these past four years, I see no signs that we are awakening to the threat;...

Apr 1, 2026

Toward Humane Governance

R&L: Let’s begin with a discussion of the distinction between totalitarian and authoritarian regimes, especially in light of the former ing enfeebled. What should our stance be regarding the remaining authoritarian regimes? Kirkpatrick: I always assume that democracy is the only good form of government, quite frankly, and democracy is always to be preferred. I think that it’s always appropriate for Americans and for American foreign policy to make clear why we feel that self-government is patible with peace,...

Apr 1, 2026

Faith and the Limitations of the State

R&L: You played a role in the international political scene at what may be known as history’s most critical hour. Are you aware of a spiritual dimension to what you participated in? Thatcher: Yes, very much so. Freedom is a moral quality. es from the Old Testament and the New. It’s definitely a part of Judaism and Christianity. The talents that we have are God-given talents, therefore we have a right to use them. But, of course, you can...

Apr 1, 2026

Science and the Environment

R&L: With the world-wide decline of socialism, many individuals think that the environmental movement may be the next great threat to freedom. Do you agree? Ray: Yes, I do, and I'll tell you why. It became evident to me when I attended the worldwide Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro last June. The International Socialist Party, which is intent upon continuing to press countries into socialism, is now headed up by people within the United Nations. They are the...

Apr 1, 2026

Productivity and Potential

R&L: You have led an incredibly productive and active life, from the early civil rights movement to now working to strengthen the black family. What motivates you? Perkins: I don’t like to see human potential wasted, and that’s what happens when people are left behind, either because the system excludes them or because they have failed to adopt solid values. I spent 22 years, from 1962 to 1980, in rural Mississippi, and prior to that I lived in California....

Apr 1, 2026

Markets and Virtue

R&L: Please explore with us the way in which certain human virtues promised by the years of Communist rule in your country. Klaus: Basic human virtues such as thrift, honesty, and fidelity can grow and flourish only in an environment of individual freedom and self-responsibility. Communist totalitarianism deprived people of both of them, made them more passive, more cowardly, and more resigned than in countries with political pluralism, property rights, and market structures. R&L: In the long term, do...

Apr 1, 2026

Morality and American Society

R&L: What role did religion or faith play in the founding of National Review in the 1950s? Buckley: Well, it was very plain to all of my associates that I was a pro-Christian. Senior editor James Burnham was a lapsed Catholic; Willmoore Kendall, a Catholic convert; Willi Schlamm, Jewish but “pro-God;” and, of course, Whittaker Chambers was a Christian. The only event that was historically conspicuous within the annals of National Review was the resignation from the Board of...

Apr 1, 2026

Economic Imperialism

R&L: You are sometimes called an “economic imperialist.” What is meant by this? Becker: That refers to my belief that economic analysis can be applied to many problems in social life, not just those conventionally called “economic.” The theme of my Nobel lecture, based on my life’s work, is that the horizons of economics need to be expanded. Economists can talk not only about the demand for cars, but also about matters such as the family, discrimination, and religion,...

Apr 1, 2026

Lessons from Liechtenstein

R&L: In the United States, monarchs are usually seen as either mere figureheads or as malevolent dictators. What is the role of a monarch in a free society? Liechtenstein: In our time, monarchies are an important factor in the stability of a country. The monarchy stands for continuity and moral responsibility for the next generation. The monarchs don’t hold their positions for a few years, and then, after an election, find themselves out of office. Rather, they automatically have...

Apr 1, 2026

Sound Economics and Evangelicals

R&L: You are a pastor and also speak weekly to hundreds of thousands of people on national television. In your opinion, why is it important for Christians to be grounded in sound economic thinking? Kennedy: Unsound economic thinking can lead to disastrous results and suffering for hundreds of millions of people. Consider the catastrophic impact on the vast number of people who had to live under the false economic thinking that munism. Our own society contains many examples of...

Apr 1, 2026