The editor comments on the March decision by California Superior Court Judge Richard Kramer, who ruled that "no rational purpose exists for limiting marriage . . . to opposite-sex partners." There are, in fact, long-standing "rational purposes" for such a limit, but Judge Kramer simply dismissed them.
The Center for Public Justice is grounded in the conviction that a constructive contribution by citizens to American political life depends on a principled understanding of government’s responsibility. To foster a healthy society and good government the Center is now releasing its first eight Guidelines on Government and Citizenship. They address political community, the task of government, the responsibility of citizens, welfare policy, education policy, security and defense, life, and homosexuality. More will follow in the months and years ahead.
Stanley Carlson-Thies looks at the charge leveled recently by David Kuo that the Bush administration is not giving high-level support to the president’s faith-based initiative. Carlson-Thies served with Kuo in the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives in 2001-2002 and contends that even though much remains to be done, the president has in fact initiated very significant reforms at the federal level to give support to social-service providers.
Yes, the Social Security system needs to be fixed, says the editor. But the looming financial crisis of that system cannot be abstracted from the larger generational transition that is taking place. The big picture must include Medicare and modes of taxation as well as Social Security if any crisis is to be averted.
This is a review of two books. The first is The Drama of Scripture: Finding Our Place in the Biblical Story, by Craig G. Bartholomew and Michael W. Goheen (both at Redeemer University College in Ontario). The second is Jesus and Politics: Confronting the Powers by Alan Storkey (a founder of the Movement for Christian Democracy in England). They offer gripping reading that greatly illuminates the meaning of politics and God’s kingdom today. Anyone familiar with the Bible can, and should, read these books.
Excerpts are presented here from the final chapter of James Skillen’s newest book, With or Against the World? America’s Role among the Nations. The United States, says the author, should have as one of its highest priorities in world affairs to help "reform, strengthen, and create international organizations for the better governance of the world." Skillen also warns that "we may well be facing a crisis of international law and order today more profound than the crisis that emerged with World War II."
Bruce Wearne, our editorial adviser from Australia, writes, "If anyone challenges the commitment to pragmatism, he or she will be dismissed as a grandstanding dogmatist, someone out of touch with political reality." Wearne goes on to describe the "decline of meaningful parties in a democratic system." The condition of Australian politics will not appear unfamiliar to Americans.
