A new report highlights a growing trend of trans-identified and nonbinary individuals undergoing surgeries to have both male and female genitalia. One conservative scholar says the trend makes the gender identity debate even more of a “puzzler.” The report, published by VICE last Monday, contains interviews with multiple people who call themselves “Salmacians,” a term forContinue reading “You Didn’t Think It Would End There Did You?”
Category Archives: Cultural Wars
They Are Getting Rid of Forgiveness
Tim Keller believes there is a cultural crisis going on. In recent years, he began noticing that with the rise of the punitive movement known as “cancel culture” came a disturbing trend: young people were becoming increasingly uncomfortable with the idea of forgiveness. “They don’t know how to forgive, and they’re not even sure theyContinue reading “They Are Getting Rid of Forgiveness”
Looking Across the Border
Something Old I knew that Eastern culture was a traditional culture, with formalities and pleasantries embedded into everyday life. I did not know just how embedded these customs would feel. As this was my first trip to Asia, I was overwhelmed by the perpetual politeness and steady stream of service coming my way. The bowing,Continue reading “Looking Across the Border”
A Voice for Scientists
As an evolutionary biologist, I am quite used to attempts to censor research and suppress knowledge. But for most of my career, that kind of behavior came from the right. In the old days, most students and administrators were actually on our side; we were aligned against creationists. Now, the threat comes mainly from theContinue reading “A Voice for Scientists”
More Dangerous than Atheism
God might exist. And He might not. There might be a Judgment Day. And there might not. Oh well. If that sums up your creed, you just might be part of one of the nation’s fastest growing religions. In the Atlantic Monthly, correspondent Jonathan Rauch notes that he finally stopped calling himself an atheist, whenContinue reading “More Dangerous than Atheism”
It Can’t Happen Here
In 1935 acclaimed American writer Sinclair Lewis’s novel “It Can’t Happen Here” was published. The novel described a fascist takeover of America, not from outside but from within. 1935 was a time when many Americans inclined toward communism or fascism. Lewis believed that the greater danger to American democracy was fascism. Many Americans then andContinue reading “It Can’t Happen Here”
The Halloween That Saved My Life
On Halloween night in 1998, I threw a party in my apartment at Virginia Tech University. I was 20 years old and in the wildest season of my life. I had three female roommates and a live-in girlfriend, and I spent most of my spare time smoking weed, doing lines of cocaine, and drinking. IContinue reading “The Halloween That Saved My Life”
Six Things to Hate
For you, O LORD, are most high over all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods. O you who love the LORD, hate evil! He preserves the lives of his saints; he delivers them from the hand of the wicked. Light is sown for the righteous, and joy for the upright in heart.Continue reading “Six Things to Hate”
What People Are Really Saying About the Future of America
Three-quarters of Americans say the country is heading in the wrong direction, and the majority of many religious groups agree with that sentiment, a new report shows. But they don’t all agree on what, exactly, has gone wrong. The 2022 American Values Survey by Public Religion Research Institute finds that religious Americans hold generally negative viewsContinue reading “What People Are Really Saying About the Future of America”
Rules for Christian Mockery
Few websites have the spite, sarcasm, and general nastiness of Twitter. The platform is virtually designed to reward quick, cutting comebacks instead of substance, and “quick and cutting” can often become cruel. Sadly, Christians are often among those engaging in bad-faith speech on Twitter, including against one another. Jesus said, “By this all people willContinue reading “Rules for Christian Mockery”
Intentional Faith 