Peter Menkin

Ross Douthat by Josh Haner New York Times The New York Times columnist Ross Douthat has written a book published in April, 2012 by Simon & Schuster that is what some call a provocative work about America–called, "Bad Religion: How we became a Nation of Heretics." This article is not a review of that book, but a round-up piece about various aspects of the books content and some of the discussion the Roman Catholic convert discusses in the work, itself.

In an effort to discover in what singular way this Religion Writer could uncover the work of Yale Institute of Sacred Music, to discover what the Institute does, and even take a look at how the Institute of Sacred Music explores Christianity, these two interviews were developed. The first is with Martin Jean, Director of the Institute. He speaks directly with the reader about the Institute. The second interview is with new Fellow of the Institute for Sacred Music, David Stowe.

This article is neither criticism nor answer, but report and commentary. In its way, the writer hopes to do a little bit of introduction about Lapham's Quarterly, a most interesting and highbrow quarterly magazine. In its way, the writer hopes to do a little bit of introduction about the distinguished American editor of Lapham's Quarterly, Lewis H. Lapham.

This play, How to Write a New Book for the Bible, is good regional theatre USA. This play, is well worth the price of the ticket, which for the seats held by this writer and his assistant were each $53. Good seats they were, for we were able to see and hear everything. Terrific, though pretty basic as that kind of arrangement and need in a theatre may be, it is written about here to let the reader know that this size theatre, in this venue, is such a good place for a play like Bill Cain's work.

The thing about the film October Baby is you may not be able to watch it. The movie is an emotional one, and for some people who find the abortion subject an emotional one, this movie October Baby may be too much. Provocative as that statement may be, this Religion Writer's assistant Linda found it too much of an emotional and dramatic series of events about a woman who as a baby survived the abortion that tried to end her life, much too much.

The paper on marriage written by Alan Wisdom titled, "Is Marriage Worth Defending," has been on my own interest-screen since January, 2011. This likeable and readable paper of some note and considerable interest on the subject of traditional marriage, with a section on Gay Marriage, was originally produced in 2009 by Institute on Religion and Democracy as one of its Mt. Nebo papers. The Institute, a conservative think-tank, produces a few papers and offers thoughts, press releases, and tal

In this unique hour and a half interview with The Reverend Doctor Wayne Grudem by telephone from the writer's home north of San Francisco to his study in his Phoenix area home. So much was covered regarding Gay Marriage and Same Sex Blessings, some in more depth because of Dr. Grudem's generous willingness to spend so much time with the interview. This interview is the fourth in a series of what are now six interviews on the subject. It is the first with an Evangelical. To give the reader

The poet is a contemplative man, and I think the reader will agree that the Facebook friend whose current Parish is New Hampshire, USA (Bow Mills United Methodist Church) and who will be moving to Massachusetts, USA in July (St. Matthew's United Methodist Church in Acton), has a conversation with God going in his life. This Billings,Montana man who went to Rocky Mountain College, and Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, California is married to Beth.

This interview with Marie Howe, American poet and teacher, is the first of a series of three different interviews with American poets. Note some poems by Marie from her new book "The Kingdom of Ordinary Time," are included in the Addendum to the interview—by permission of the poet, and of W.W. Norton publisher. The new book can be bought through the internet at this address. To contact the poet with an interest in a speaking engagement, go here.

This well wrought film with its many awards (first prize) from Cannes, New York, and other important places gives a fine dramatic look at a monastery in Algeria caught in the Algerian revolution, a throw-the-French-out historic event set in the later 1990's. A true film based on the historic story, and a dramatic rendering of excellence, the language of prayers with the use of introspective reflection on their situation by the monks of the monastery hold a poetic lilt.