Last week, it was reported that corporations will reap $16 billion in new, retroactive tax breaks this year under just one provision of the Trump-GOP tax law enacted in July. This provision of HR-1, otherwise known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill…
Southern Baptist leaders’ duplicity betrays abuse survivors
Newly released court documents depict an image of Southern Baptist leaders’ duplicity in dealing with clergy sex abuse. The documents derive from the defamation lawsuit brought by former seminary professor David Sills, and that lawsuit stems from the sexual abuse…
Oh fudge, I said the B-word
Pulling the Lifebuoy soap from young Ralphie’s mouth, his mother interrogates, “Where did you hear that word?” In this wonderful scene from the classic movie A Christmas Story, a voiceover of Ralphie reports he had heard the vulgarity several times…
Homan defies Scripture and church in defense of immigration policy
“The Catholic Church is wrong” stated Tom Homan, the Trump administration’s ICE man. Homan and other MAGA elites were triggered by a statement released by America’s Catholic bishops. Conspiracy theorist Laura Loomer screeched, “It’s sad to see the Catholic Church…
It’s always darkest before it goes pitch black; choose hope anyway
If you have someone on your Christmas list who seems too hopeful — who still uses a paper calendar — you might consider a demotivational calendar. On one such 2026 calendar — and you can Google a disappointing number of…
Upside Down Advent: Anxiety versus peace
I had the good fortune to spend three hours in the car with my son Garrett Saturday. He’s our avant garde jazz saxophonist and composer/arranger. He told me about a Substack he’s reading that’s written by a well-known figure in…
‘Are you hungry?’
In a day when the president of the United States cancels the commemoration of Dec. 1 as World AIDS Day — while his DOGE canceling of USAID has led to many more AIDS deaths in Africa — and we see…
Advent mnemonics
I don’t remember when I picked up this handy mental trick. Sixth grade, maybe seventh? My first recollection of using it came during a world geography class. The teacher asked us to memorize the names of European countries’ capitals, many…
I believe: OU, faith and the academy
“I believe: That the Lord God created the universe. I believe: That he sent his only son to die for my sins. And I believe: That ancient Jews built boats and sailed to America. I am a Mormon. And a…
Letters to Mary: Women cannot be controlled
“Freeing yourself was one thing, claiming ownership of that freed self was another.” — Toni Morrison Dear Mary, Mother, I grow weary this Advent season; this is a weary world longing to rejoice as the carol sings. I miss the…
Letter to the Editor: Failure to communicate
Dear Editor: Concerning the analysis article “How A College Assignment Became the Latest Battle in the Culture Wars,” I first heard about the controversy from a national news report featuring an interview with the student in question after reading about…
What will we leave our children?
Every generation faces the same quiet question, although few pause long enough to consider it fully. When our children look back on the choices we made, will they see stewardship or convenience? Will they inherit communities made stronger by foresight…