John Tuttle

Down through the ages, many people have lost their lives because of their beliefs. Whether it be religion, politics, or social ideology, all have had their martyrs.
The Greek word from which “martyr” is derived translates to “witness.” Today, the word martyr most frequently carries the connotation of some numinous stoic becoming the victim of great injustice and losing their life for their convictions. Here are a few great witnesses who died because of who they were and their desire to hold o...

The journalist recently wrote a book about unmasking Antifa’s radicalism
Andy Ngo has risen to prominence by covering the violence of leftist group Antifa. He said that the violence is part of Antifa’s ideology — it’s not a fluke occurrence.
“This Antifa extremist ideology movement gives them that community, gives them meaning and purpose,” Ngo says of the group’s recruits. “It does a lot of things like what religion traditionally would do. But it also leads them down a path towards violence,...

Lately, there has been a lot of talk about the real-life heroes of our day and age, those who serve and care for others, offering even the smallest charitable acts. If being a hero means being selfless, then – to some extent – it follows that such people may be heralded as heroes.
In the realm of the fantastic, “superheroes” are not treated nor expected to be taken as ordinary individuals. Their difference manifests itself most often through unique physical characteristics and abilities which...

What were early humans like before the invention of writing?

The Marvel Cinematic Universe exudes an image of unity among diversity, at least when the heroes are at their best. The Avengers embody a close-knit community. They’ve been through highs and lows together: a falling out here, a reunion there. They’re like a family.
“Family” in many ways has come to denote the popularized idea of friendship – the family that you get to choose. Friendship is, quite simply, a manifestation of love. C.S. Lewis, writing in his book The Four Loves, hails this type ...

For thousands of years, the lands east of the Mediterranean Sea have collectively served as a hotbed of social and scientific developments, as well as the battleground for numerous disputes. The Middle East, as we now refer to one of the regions situated east of Europe, is home to the remnants of some of the oldest-known civilizations in the world.
The Middle East officially encompasses most of Western Asia, Egypt, and Turkey. It spans 18 countries total, 13 of which belong to the Arab world....

During National Poetry Month, there is no better time to ponder those saints to whom God gifted a literary flair.
Since the saints often direct their poetry towards God, it is best read in a prayerful manner. Let’s look at a few saints who were also great poets in their lifetime.
St. Francis of Assisi
When we think of the humble founder of the Order of Friars Minor, we think of a man who rejected material wealth and the ways of the world. We can easily envision a youthful, impassioned Frances...

Steve Rogers’ buddy “Bucky” Barnes has had a rollercoaster of a life: a life that he was, at times, not fully in control of. From World War II playboy to terrorist-spurred, brainwashed assassin, Bucky knows well what violence costs. While the Marvel Cinematic Universe character (played by Sebastian Stan) presents an interesting dilemma concerning the culpability for one’s sinful actions, his turn from villainy and his progress toward an inner life of peace are equally worth our consideration....

The Symposium on Advancing the New Evangelization, an annual conference held at Benedictine College which was canceled in 2020, commenced on Friday.
This year’s symposium was markedly different from past conferences, including the use of Zoom for one lecture and standard mask-wearing procedures for participants.
The convention entailed numerous presentations on theological and philosophical issues and their intersection with culture.
Dr. Matthew Muller, assistant professor of theology and pro...

It's often said the United States is built upon the backs of its immigrants, and it's true. The American melting pot would not be what it is without our ancestors. Without the Irish immigrants of the past, much of the country's institutions and culture would be sorely lacking today.
Overseas immigrants flooding into major ports and cities made for a predicament. Many came from a rural existence and had to adapt to city life. Impoverished travelers to these hubs of industrialization were force...

The distant shores of silence begin
at the door. You cannot fly there
like a bird. You must stop, look deeper,
still deeper, until nothing deflects the soul
from the deepmost deep.
When I hear the phrase “the universe,” I, perhaps like many others, picture a starry pattern arranged on a dark canvas — the Milky Way or another iconic Hubble image. But if I dwell on the words just a bit longer, I start to think, “There’s more.”
A number of films depict the interplanetary beauties of the universe...

They have ‘ethical responsibilities to follow the law and to preserve civil rights’
On his first day in office, President Biden released an executive order interpreting Title IX to “prevent and combat discrimination on the basis of gender identity or sexual orientation.”
A member of the former administration wasted little time challenging Biden’s Department of Education to enforce Title IX’s literal ban on sex discrimination in federally funded programs.
Adam Kissel (above), deputy assistant ...

As human beings, there are feelings inherent to who we are that we experience regularly. Pain, both physical and emotional, is a struggle many of us are faced with. But the capacity for joy is also a part of being human.
We can’t experience either, however, if we don’t really live, if we’re not engaged in life abundantly. This means giving of ourselves and not getting hung up on ourselves. This sort of selflessness defines many heroes in real life. Joan of Arc, with confidence instilled by Go...