“Reading through the Old Testament, there are numerous places where the modern reader walks away puzzled…. One such example is something that shows up repeatedly throughout the first few books of the Bible: cities of refuge. How exactly do these cities work? Why did God set them up? And why did ancient Israel solve the problem of murder this way?” - P&D
“Individuals don’t go to war. Nations do. But simply because a nation has the God-given authority to bear the sword doesn’t mean that it is always justified to engage in conflict. This power is not unlimited.” - Daniel Darling
“Some 54% of Evangelicals in the June 3-8 survey said Trump’s use of the military in Iran was not in line with their understanding of Christianity, while 41% said it was” - CPost
“this understanding of force does not align itself with the history of the Church’s thinking and teaching on ‘just war’ and coercive intervention. Resort to arms is not only permissible, it is virtuous when and where motivated by ‘just cause’ and ‘right intention.’” - Providence
“A record-high 56% of Americans rate moral values in the U.S. as ‘poor,’ up 12 percentage points from last year, and 80% say moral values are ‘getting worse,’ up 14 points.” - Gallup
“Experts on both sides of the AI debate have shared thoughtful rebuttals, but the pope’s approach is a useful template of how Christians should engage the AI conversation. Specifically, that we have an essential role in shaping the development and deployment of technology.” - World
“Leo’s answer is clear: A person’s dignity does not depend on what they can ‘achieve or produce.’” - RNS
Also…
Gavin Ortlund examines a key question raised in a debate between Douthat and Pinker, arguing that atheism struggles to provide a sufficient foundation for moral obligation and human rights without borrowing from theistic assumptions. - Truth Unites
“Citing the increasing use of artificial intelligence tools in the military, a coalition of leaders from several multifaith organizations urged Congress on Friday to take steps to prevent the use of AI-powered autonomous weapons from being used for killing without human intervention.” - CPost
“Across a wide range of issues, Americans express morally permissive views….75% express no moral objection to spanking children. 63% have no moral problem with patients choosing to end their lives with the help of a doctor. 60% have no moral qualms about homosexuality.” - Pew
