Category Archives: Politics

Civil?

Posted on July 2, 2012 by Richard Heyduck

I’ve seen this claim several times, as part of an apologetic for same-sex marriage. Marriage is a civil ceremony. Because it is a civil ceremony, it is a civil right. I don’t get it. The hidden premise, “All civil ceremonies … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Current events, Marriage, Politics | Leave a comment

Original Sin

Posted on June 12, 2012 by Richard Heyduck

Though ostensibly a theological doctrine, original sin has been secularized at least since the time of Thomas Hobbes. (David Brook’s recent column is not too far afield.) Hobbes described the original and natural state of humans as the “war of … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Politics, Sin | Leave a comment

What Counts as a Person?

Posted on March 12, 2012 by Richard Heyduck

In the past year or so there has been an uproar about corporations being treated as persons. Continuing my review of Bobbitt’s Shield of Achilles tonight, I find this thesis (p. 365): The society of nation-states developed a constitution that … Continue reading →

Posted in Nihilism, Politics | Leave a comment

Security & Welfare: Bankruptcy or New Visions?

Posted on March 10, 2012 by Richard Heyduck

As I continue my reviewing of Bobbitt’s book, The Shield of Achilles… If the Nation State (which in Bobbitt’s usage is the form national states have taken, beginning with the American Civil War) is predicated on providing security from enemies … Continue reading →

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Rotary & Politics

Posted on January 26, 2011 by Richard Heyduck

I got to do the program for our local Rotary club today. I wanted to share some arguments against the reduction of the political to the partisan. Here’s what I had to say: The first thing to know is that … Continue reading →

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Dissenting from Mr. Locke

Posted on November 1, 2010 by Richard Heyduck

Though he wrote over three hundred years ago, John Locke’s writing on toleration, and the relationship between church and state is still of great relevance in our culture. Consider this article on proposed legislation (from the executive branch – only … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Higher Education, Politics | Leave a comment

Fight, Flight or Engage – 2

Posted on October 29, 2010 by Richard Heyduck

But not everyone has been adequately tutored by Mr. Locke, not even all Christians – not even all American Christians. Some dare to question Locke when he speaks of toleration as “the chief characteristic mark of the true Church.” Others … Continue reading →

Posted in Jesus, Politics | Leave a comment

Fight, Flight, or Engage – 1

Posted on October 15, 2010 by Richard Heyduck

Where is my primary citizenship? Since I was born in the USA, have lived in the USA most of my life, currently live in the USA and have never been a citizen of any other nation state, the obvious answer … Continue reading →

Posted in Church & State, Clash of Civilizations, Politics | Leave a comment

Making a Difference

Posted on September 16, 2010 by Richard Heyduck

I haven’t been very regular in my posting lately. I observe that just as my last post begins with a quote from Stanley (Hauerwas), while this one will draw – partly – from a quote from another Stanley (Fish). In … Continue reading →

Posted in Ecclesiology, Ministry, Politics | 2 Comments

Reading Cavanaugh on the Invention of “Religion”

Posted on April 14, 2010 by Richard Heyduck

One of the books I’m working through now is William Cavanaugh’s The Myth of Religious Violence. If you’re open to a little heresy (not heresy directed toward Christianity, but toward religion-like phenomena like nationalism, capitalism, Marxism, etc.), check it out. … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Ecclesiology, Politics | 2 Comments