Christianity & Freedom

Have Religious Conservatives Lost Their Minds?

by Laurence M. Vance August 17, 2023

Although the phrase “separation of church and state” does not appear in the Constitution, the concept is based on the First Amendment, which reads: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, ...

The Ten Commandments Controversy

by Jacob G. Hornberger November 1, 2003

Recently the Ten Commandments were embroiled in controversy in the state of Alabama, where the chief justice of the Alabama Supreme Court defied a federal order to remove a stone monument containing the commandments from the rotunda of the state supreme court building. The controversy raised important issues relating to federalism ...

Should Government Run Churches … or Schools?

by Scott McPherson December 27, 2002

What if government ran our churches? Imagine the spectacle. If the government were in charge of religion, there would be just one for everyone. No more competition between differing sects and denominations. No longer would there be diverse and numerous places of worship flourishing all over our cities and ...

Let’s Join the Pope

by Jacob G. Hornberger December 1, 2001

After the 1993 terrorist bombing of the World Trade Center, one of the convicted terrorists told a New York federal judge before sentencing that one of the principal reasons he had committed the attack was because of all the Iraqi children who had died as a result of the U.S. government's ...

The State Cannot Donate

by Jacob G. Hornberger December 1, 2001

At the first post-9/11 Christmas, perhaps it is appropriate to draw the distinction between the private and governmental assistance provided to the families of the World Trade Center victims. The outpouring of support from the private sector reflected the caring and compassionate nature of the American people because it came from ...

Don’t Fund Religious Groups

by Sheldon Richman June 1, 2001

President Bush just doesn’t get it. He may say, repeatedly, that the surplus belongs to the people and push for a modest tax cut, but if he really believed his own words, he wouldn’t be proposing to spend the taxpayers’ money on social-welfare activities performed by religious organizations. Mr. ...

God and the Economy: Is Capitalism Moral? Part 2

by Doug Bandow June 1, 2000

Part 1 | Part 2 Economic Freedom is important because it helps disperse power, allowing the development of private institutions — for instance, associations, corporations, think tanks, labor unions, and universities — that can counterbalance state power. Moreover, private property is necessary for the exercise of many political rights. If you can’t buy a printing ...

God and the Economy: Is Capitalism Moral? Part 1

by Doug Bandow May 1, 2000

Part 1 | Part 2 Collectivism is in retreat around the globe, but it still retains some support in the American religious community. If recent events demonstrate that Marxism does not work in practice, many religious idealists still believe that capitalism is immoral in theory. And the criticism has long been ecumenical: Catholic liberation theologians ...

The Virtue of Freedom

by Jacob G. Hornberger December 1, 1999

Christmas is the perfect time of year to reflect on such things as freedom and virtue. People give presents to their friends and loved ones, donate food and clothing to the poor, and make contributions to their churches and other worthy causes. And they do it all voluntarily. No one forces them to do so. Do you ever wonder how ...

Has Compassion Gone Astray?

by Jacob G. Hornberger October 1, 1999

As part of his presidential-campaign theme of "compassionate conservatism," Texas Gov. George W. Bush recently announced nearly $500,000 in state-financed grants to Christian groups in Texas. "America will be changed because people of faith and good heart are willing to help people in need," Bush said. "I believe rallying ...

Freedom is the Key to Life’s Short Journey

by Jacob G. Hornberger May 1, 1999

The following is a commencement speech delivered by Jacob G. Hornberger at Thomas Jefferson Independent Day School in Joplin, Missouri. The relatively short journey from birth to death remains a great mystery to all of us. While the Creator has breathed life into each of us, He has not yet seen ...

Fight Socialism with Freedom in North Korea

by Jacob G. Hornberger September 1, 1998

For the last three years, up to 2 million people have died of starvation in North Korea. The U.S. government has been the biggest provider of aid, contributing 220,000 tons of food. The Clinton administration is now considering sending an additional 300,000 tons of food. American officials refer to this ...