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The miracle of the Jews
By Samuel Gregg • August 14, 2019
Morning prayers at a synagogue in Safed, Israel ([link removed] )
The Jews’ liberation of human reason from mythology and nature-worship amounted to one of humanity’s most powerful “enlightenments.” The Jews believed that the material world was not evil or beset by demonic contests. The universe is presented in the Hebrew Scriptures as ultimately permeated with order—not chaos and incomprehensibility. Much of this universe was thus understandable by the human beings made by this God in his image and similarly suffused with his order. This Jewish emphasis on the order built into a created world of which man is the apex had two critical consequences. First, Judaism’s audacious confrontation of idolatry and pagan mythology was a powerful affirmation of man’s rationality. The second important consequence of Judaism’s understanding of the created universe was its accent on human freedom.
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Acton Line Podcast: Prince Harry's population bomb; A doctor diagnoses Medicare for All
August 14, 2019
Prince Harry on a visit to Australia ([link removed] )
In a recent interview for Vogue, Prince Harry declared to British anthropologist Jane Goodall that he and Meghan plan on having only two children -- due to environmental concerns. Alarmist predictions about the results of overpopulation is nothing new, of course. Even Goodall herself said in 2010, that "[i]t's our population growth that underlies just about every single one of the problems that we’ve inflicted on the planet." So, is earth really overpopulated? And will having less children save the planet? Stephen Barrows, Acton's managing director of programs, joins the podcast to explain the economics behind the issue and how to thoughtfully approach concerns about the environment. After that, Dr. Eric Larson, Clinical Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology at Michigan State University, takes a look at Medicare for All, explaining current problems in health care as well as just how costly Medicare for All would be.
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Acton Line podcast: Is Hong Kong’s freedom coming to an end? ([link removed] )
Helen Raleigh, senior writer at the Federalist, joins the show to explain the current extradition agreements held between Hong Kong and China, why so many in Hong Kong are angry about the bill and how the extradition bill, if passed, would threaten Hong Kong’s rule of law.
If you want to help people, is socialism the answer? ([link removed] )
About a third of Americans today believe socialism is a form of “social kindness” by the government. But true socialism isn’t the social safety net, but rather when the government controls most prices, businesses, property, and other aspects of economic life.
Video: Lawrence Reed on modern parallels to the fall of Rome ([link removed] )
It’s not unusual to hear modern-day America (and more broadly, the modern West) compared with the late stages of the Roman Republic, which crumbled and gave way to totalitarian rule by caesars. But is the comparison valid? On August 8, the Acton Institute welcomed Lawrence Reed, president of the Foundation for Economic Education, to talk about that topic as part of the 2019 Acton Lecture Series.
How the Byzantines saved Europe ([link removed] )
Ask the average college student to identify the 1,100 year old empire that was, at various points in its history, the political, commercial, artistic and ecclesiastical center of Europe and, indeed, was responsible for the very survival and flourishing of what we know today as Europe and you’re not likely to get the correct answer: Byzantium.
Minigolf and carnival rides: The profane conquers the sacred ([link removed] )
A few weeks ago Rochester Cathedral made its medieval nave into a minigolf course as part of a “play and pray” initiative intended to draw a younger crowd to the cathedral. And just last week Norwich Cathedral opened a carnival ride inside the nave of the cathedral, which they laughably claim is not a gimmick. All in the name of attracting people. Attracting people is essential, of course, but even more essential is that we have a right sense of what we should attract them to.
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