Recent Religion Commentaries

Featured image for “A Shepherd with a Spine”
A Shepherd with a Spine
Beginning Monday, I’ll be highlighting five U.S. Presidents who–when confronted with defining choices–led with integrity instead of expedience. These presidents didn’t just occupy the Oval Office; they embodied the values that give leadership its true meaning. Their choices remind us that integrity is not a political strategy—it’s a standard. Today, however, I begin with a new global leader—one who speaks...
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May 11, 2025
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The Shepherd in the Storm
I usually keep my focus on issues here at home—challenges that affect us as Americans. But with the world now turning its attention to the Catholic Church and the anticipation of a new Pope, I’ve been reading and reflecting on the legacy of Pope Francis—and what his message might mean for all of us, especially in this divided moment. Pope...
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May 7, 2025
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A Call for Common Good and Moral Courage
On September 24, 2015, Pope Francis made history as the first pontiff to address a Joint Session of the U.S. Congress. Nearly a decade later, his message still resonates with clarity and urgency. Francis reminded lawmakers that public service is more than legislation, it is a moral occupation: “You are called to defend and preserve the dignity of your fellow...
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April 25, 2025
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The Quiet Strength of Pope Francis
I liked Francis—a lot. How could you not? He spoke plainly, with sincerity and purpose—and people listened. His words weren’t wrapped in rhetoric; they were rooted in truth. In a time when power is too often confused with principle, Pope Francis led with something far more enduring… character. From the start, Francis made it clear that his papacy would be...
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April 23, 2025
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The Immaculate Contradiction
A timely Opinion piece in The New York Times by David French sheds greater light on why so many Evangelical Christians fervently believe in Donald Trump. In 1998, during the Clinton-Lewinsky scandal, Evangelical leaders issued a public statement declaring that “character counts” and that “the President’s personal morality is not private.” The message was clear: integrity matters—especially for those who...
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April 11, 2025
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An Answered Prayer
Today, five years after Parisians and the world watched in disbelief as flames engulfed Notre Dame Cathedral, a prayer was answered and the hard work of thousands and faith of millions reopened Notre Dame for the world. Five years ago, the spire collapsed, the vaulted ceilings crumbled, and its interior was scarred by fire and smoke. The devastation was not...
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December 7, 2024
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A New Pearl of Great Price: Blind Faith in Trump
Legend has it that a man once approached the Jewish sage Hillel the Elder with a challenge: if he could sum up the principles of Judaism in a single sentence, the man would convert. Hillel responded, “What is hateful to thee, do not unto thy fellow man: this is the whole of the law; the rest is commentary.” Hillel’s words...
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September 6, 2024
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What Would Jesus Say?
“The Democrats and the fake news media want to constantly talk about ‘President Trump is a convicted felon.’ Well, you want to know something? The man that I worship is also a convicted felon. And he was murdered on a Roman cross.”—Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene Christians fanatical zeal for Donald Trump remains stunning to many millions, including myself, who just...
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June 11, 2024
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Principle Before Party
“Duty is ours. Results are God’s.”—John Quincy Adams In 1806, after a series of attacks by Britain on American ships carrying goods, Massachusetts Senator John Quincy Adams and his colleagues were outraged. American sailors were being captured and “impressed” into the King’s navy. When the American frigate Chesapeake was fired upon by a British ship, Adams was so incensed he...
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April 23, 2024
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The Orange Jesus
“Thou shalt have no other gods before Me.”—The First Commandment In last week’s caucus, the good, decent, hardworking people of Iowa overwhelming supported Donald Trump. Evangelicals make up 55 percent of supporters. Their conversion began when they leaned away from the holy Bible to the scriptures of Donald Trump. It began when they believed the lies the former president told...
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January 19, 2024