It’s rare that a pop icon is known for a stance on abortion, especially pro-life, especially out of the gate in popularity. Jordan Sparks has been a long time advocate of pro-life. It will be interesting to see how liberal media outlets handle this emerging pop star conservative. See the story here.

There are few things like reclining in a comfortable chair or couch, cafe au lait within arms reach, pleasant sounds in the background, and a well-written, engaging book in hand. Fewer still are these moments, especially as a parent. My wife sent me out this evening to enjoy one of the things I enjoy most.

The au lait isn’t that great; the coffee was too weak. The book, on the other hand, is titilating. It’s so engaging that I enter a five second debate after each chapter: “Should I save the rest for tomorrow?” I read on. Falling Man is a likely book from an unlikely author. Likely, because it’s a fictional account of life after 9/11 in the world of a few Manhanttanites. An unlikely author becasuse DeLilo is perhaps best know for his magnum opus, Underworld.

The first chapter of Falling Man is online for free. See Frank Rich’s NY Times review here. Many thoughts are brewing after the first five chapters. I’ll hold them until the end but expect a reflective post on Falling Man very soon. Books like this don’t linger long in my hands.

There are three major missionary world religions: Christianity, Islam, and Buddhism (Judaism in not considered global due to geographic limits). Each faith possesses a prosleytizing imperative. The karunah of Buddhism calls its followers to “be able to disclose the teachings of the Buddha in all the voices that exist in the world.”

The Dalai Lama will be presiding over a mass conversion of Dalits in India. Up to 100,000 Dalits will convert, perhaps the largest mass conversion in modern history. Interestingly, many Dalits have also converted to Christianity. These conversions are often motivated by Dalit hope in escaping the “untouchable” caste life.

See brief article here.