Category Archives: Pope Benedict XVI

Spinoza, Kant, Solomon Maimon & Jewish Secularization In 18th Century Europe

Posted on September 24, 2011 by

‘The Road to Modernity’ by Gertrud Himmelfarb, the wife of Irving Kristol and mother of Fox News contributor and founder/editor of Washington’s ‘The Weekly Standard’ William Kristol is the most significant public contribution to any understanding of the European Enlightenment … Continue reading →

Posted in Antiquity, Conservatism, John Paul II, Philosophy, Politics, Pope Benedict XVI, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Sex & The City: The Social and Political Impact Of Militant Feminism

Posted on August 12, 2011 by

I was always dismayed when people use any kind of moral equivalency.  An example is the ‘Wall of Apartheid’ (originally coined by Jimmy Carter) throughout the West Bank in Israel.  Anyone with even a modicum of knowledge of the politics … Continue reading →

Posted in China, Conservatism, Economics, Ethics, Feminization Of Men, Hans Urs von Balthasar, Identity Development, Islam, Israel, John Paul II, Marriage Preparation, Morality, Near East, Pope Benedict XVI, Sexual Ethics, The Demise Of The Black Family, Theology | Tagged , , , ,

Rowan Williams Is No Thomas Beckett

Posted on May 20, 2011 by

I must admit that I do not always admire Dr. Rowan Williams even if sometimes he demonstrates the absolute candor required in leaders.  Nevertheless, this wile theologian continues to reveal a steadfastness, especially as he reveals the distinction that is … Continue reading →

Posted in Ethics, Hans Urs von Balthasar, Islam, Philosophy, Pope Benedict XVI, Theology | Tagged , , , ,

Holy Ignorance

Posted on May 19, 2011 by

How can one study the failure that is political Islam and Protestantism?  The former dwells on an archaic vision that simply cannot address contemporary issues while the latter remains permanently entangled in the cultural morass of exalted personal autonomy.  For … Continue reading →

Posted in Conservatism, Hans Urs von Balthasar, Islam, John Paul II, Morality, Mysticism, Politics, Pope Benedict XVI, Theology | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The Social Crisis of the Working Class

Posted on May 10, 2011 by

Charles Murray of the American Enterprise Institute in Washington remains the single most significant sociologist since the passing of Seymour Martin Lipset.  His latest is titled ‘The State of White America’.  This is a startling account of reversal of America’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Tocqueville, Conservatism, Constitution, Education, Eric Voegelin, Ethics, Feminization Of Men, Hans Urs von Balthasar, Harry Jaffa, Identity Development, International Relations, Islam, John Paul II, Marriage Preparation, Morality, Pope Benedict XVI, Prayer, Sexual Ethics, Sociology, The Demise Of The Black Family, Theology | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger & The Strategy Of Enveloping Secularism

Posted on September 29, 2010 by

The ancient Christian writer Tertullian rhetorically asked “What has Athens to do with Jerusalem”?  The entire corpus of Christian humanism can be balanced on a critique of this one very divisive question.  Athens stands for reason, Jerusalem for faith. As … Continue reading →

Posted in John Paul II, Pope Benedict XVI | Tagged , , , ,

Rocco Buttiglione: The Work That Was John Paul The Great

Posted on August 23, 2010 by

It is simply not possible to speak of greatness without referring to Karol Wojtyla (pronounced Why-tee-wah), otherwise known as John Paul II.  No other person than Rocco Buttiglione, Professor of politics, social ethics and economics at the International Academy for … Continue reading →

Posted in Hans Urs von Balthasar, Identity Development, John Paul II, Morality, Mysticism, Philosophy, Pope Benedict XVI, Theology | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 21 Comments

Fascist Islam: History & Prospects

Posted on July 8, 2010 by

Although Malise Ruthven is credited with coining the term ‘Islamofascism’ while writing for the British Independent in 1990, the term was coined by Maxine Rodinson.  Nevertheless, we have throughout the west a vast intellectual reserve providing antecedents for us to … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Tocqueville, Arnold Toynbee, Constitution, Eric Voegelin, Ethics, Hans Urs von Balthasar, International Relations, Islam, John Paul II, Kant, Morality, Near East, Oriana Fallachi, Politics, Pope Benedict XVI, Sexual Ethics, Sociology, Terrorism, Theology, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , ,

The Promise Of Secular Life: Dystopic Mania For A Shapeless Freedom

Posted on July 8, 2010 by

Most Catholics can remember when Karol Wojtyla (John Paul II) began criticizing the foundations of our capitalist ethic in admonishing the wests embrace of materialism.  He challenged us to become more by having less.  As a poet he understood the … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Tocqueville, Ethics, Hans Urs von Balthasar, Harry Jaffa, International Relations, John Paul II, Kant, Morality, Politics, Pope Benedict XVI, Theology | Tagged , , , , , , ,

George Orwell & Aldous Huxley Fathers of Doublespeak: A Clarion Call To Church & Artists

Posted on July 7, 2010 by

Both Orwell (real name Eric Blair) and Huxley left a substantial body of work that bore out the conviction that modern man was incapable of coping, resolving the demands of his time.  Other writers, less artistic yet still formidable in … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Tocqueville, Arnold Toynbee, Conservatism, Eric Voegelin, Hans Urs von Balthasar, International Relations, Islam, John Paul II, Morality, Politics, Pope Benedict XVI, Raymond Aron, Reagan, Sociology, solzhenitzen, Theology, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments