Seeing Things as They Are, Part II

My wife, Amparo, and I recently taught a 16-hour course in Spanish for 30 students in the Hispanic Leadership program of the Diocese of Des Moines on the subject of ...

Can Religion Change Society?

This blog, Skeptical Faith, is not about politics. I know some of the issues I discuss seem to favor one party over the other, but it’s not because of loyalty ...

Losing Our Memory and Roots?

While looking for something on YouTube recently, I ran across a video of comedian George Carlin from, probably, 20 years ago. Carlin, who died in 2008 could be crude, but ...

Friendship is Next to Godliness

I recently had a three-day visit from my long-time best friend, Gerald Waris. A retired priest from Kansas City, Gerald and I have been friends since he and his family ...

Those Who Don’t Dance

Israel recently held a national day of mourning for 45 men and boys killed in a stampede at a packed Jewish festival. The deadly crush at Mount Meron in northern ...

An Antidote to Feeling Alone

DI’ve been watching a “reality show” on the History Channel called “Alone.” It features 10 people, who the credits say are trained survivalists. They agree to live in the Arctic, ...