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Latest Writing from Institute Alumni

February 20, 2012

It’s been a busy month for the writers among the John Jay Fellows Program alumni! The past few weeks have seen a bold challenge to the way conservatives think about the Constitution, a symposium on the future of evangelicals and conservatism, a thoughtful response to the “I Love Jesus but Hate Religion” YouTube video, and deep questions about how it’s possible to have close-knit communities in 21st-century America.

See below for these and other articles (each opinion is that of the writer and doesn't necessarily reflect the views of the John Jay Institute):

 

“The Decline of ‘We the People’?” (Connor Ewing ’08)

The American Constitution is no longer the model for aspiring democracies. What are we to make of this?

 

“Symposium: Evangelicals and Conservatism” (Jace Yarbrough ’09, Miriel Thomas ’09, Brian Brown ’07)

In light of D.G. Hart’s recent book, what future do evangelicals and conservatives have with each other–if any?

 

“Think Local, Act Local” (Brian Brown ’07)

Learn the lessons of Facebook and Twitter: people don’t make friends, buy products, or vote because it’s good for humanity.

 

“Politics, Theology, and Donuts” (Anna Speckhard ’08)

If leaders want to claim God’s support for their policies, they need to do what Obama said at the National Prayer Breakfast…not what he did.

 

“A Different Take on Valentine’s Day: Would You Die for Her?” (Julia Kiewit ’09 with Pat Fagan)

The story behind Valentine’s Day does not bear much resemblance to the cupids and roses of today. If we wanted historical accuracy, our candy hearts, instead of “TXT ME” or even “BE MINE,” should say, “Will you die for me?”

 

“Fixing a Place” (Brian Brown ’07)

You have to love a place–not an idealized Place–before you can fix it.

 

“Detention with the Outcasts” (Esther Moon ’10)

Real community challenges our assumptions about the value of choice and the role of ideals.

 

“Evangelical Gnosticism” (Connor Ewing ’08)

The guy who said “I love Jesus but hate religion” is missing something important. Religion is integral to Christian belief, lifting our gaze toward God.

 

“Facebook, Politics, and Human Ignorance” (Miriel Thomas ’09)

What a stranger’s words have me thinking about the role of assumptions in American public discourse.

 

“Subsidiarity as Transnationalism” (Karen Rupprecht ’08)

Globalization and the Vatican’s “supranational authority” might just herald a more conservative world.

The Americans are the first people whom Heaven has favoured with an opportunity of deliberating upon, and choosing the forms of government under which they should live. All other constitutions have derived their existence from violence or accidental circumstances, and are therefore probably more distant from their perfection, which, though beyond our reach, may nevertheless be approached under the guidance of reason and experience."
John Jay, Charge to the Grand Jury, Ulster County, New York, NY 1777