What would it mean in the USA if someone succeeded in persuading the public that, in order to protect religion, the government should regulate it? The government regulates historic sites, river water, and bald eagles, all in the name of protecting them. What would happen if citizens accepted the hypothesis that the government needs to regulate religion in order to protect it? What might that look like?

Christians have good reason to conduct this mind experiment, because if they ignore the problem, they may find themselves ensnared in it.  

China is an example of a country where the government alleges to be protecting religion by regulating it. The history of religion in China is beyond the scope of this post, but the information is easily uncovered in a Google search. It is China’s current status with regard to religious freedom that is of interest.  

In China, there are…

Last week, I gave a conference to a Catholic men’s group on voting with an informed conscience. During the time for questions after the talk, one of the gentlemen asked a thorny question:

“What if there’s a “pro-choice” candidate who supports 5 other issues I like? Are you telling me that if I vote for him, I’m committing a mortal sin?”

About Midnight… – Acts 16:25 ESV

It was dark and cold.   They were beaten, shackled and hungry.

We are told that many blows had been inflicted upon them.

It had been a long day and it was now about Midnight.

About Midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God… – Acts 16:25 ESV

I wish I could say that, when things seem to be dark and hopeless, I pray and sing praises to God.  Often, that is not the case. I still remember being so angry when my second pregnancy ended abruptly. I woke up with a second babe on the way and went to sleep that night empty. There was no longer a baby in my belly and I struggled to praise in the midst of my pain.

This is exactly what Paul was meaning, however, when he said to give thanks in all…

Are you familiar with the The Manhattan Declaration?  If you haven’t read it, you can do so now.  It will take you about 15 minutes to read carefully, being a bit longer than the post I would generally have written here.

It is an ecumenical statement by Catholic, Orthodox and Evangelical Christians, first published almost three years ago (on September 28, 2009), which calls individuals–not institutions–to several explicit statements of belief and purpose:

While the whole scope of Christian moral concern, including a special concern for the poor and vulnerable, claims our attention, we are especially troubled that in our nation today

–the lives of the unborn, the disabled, and the elderly are severely threatened;

–that the institution of marriage, already buffeted by promiscuity, infidelity and divorce, is in jeopardy of being redefined to accommodate fashionable ideologies;

–that freedom of religion and the rights of…