“Are You a Dynamic Catholic?”
This question is being asked in parishes across the country, as a result of the efforts of Matthew Kelly and [...]
About President Trump’s Tweets
Donald Trump’s tweets have been in the news since long before he ran for the presidency, and they have been [...]
Death by a Thousand Slurs
This has been the mainstream media’s intention from the Republican primary, through the presidential campaign, and throughout Donald Trump’s first [...]
A Different New Year’s Resolution
Common New Year’s resolutions involve quitting something such as smoking or drinking, eating too much, being too sedentary, being rude [...]
Our Perception of Social Problems
I recently read a description of troubling social problems, in particular increasing violence and the decline of moral standards. It [...]
Why I’m Suspicious of Polls
It’s not that pollsters are dishonest, though some may be. Nor is it that the people polled give answers they [...]
The Alabama Republicans’ Dilemma
The special election in Alabama is over, with Democrat Doug Jones having defeated Republican Roy Moore, but the dilemma faced [...]
A Teaching Moment Missed, Part II
Part I told the (true) story of Daniel, a high school junior whose correct answer to a test question was [...]
A Teaching Moment Missed, Part I
Daniel is an 11th grade student who takes Advanced Placement courses in history, physics, English, calculus, and social studies and [...]
An Honest Conversation About Gun Control
I’d love to have an honest conversation with a liberal about gun control, but the truth is, the liberals I [...]
Education’s Failing Grade
In 2016, Minneapolis scholar Katherine Kersten reported that public schools were the most dangerous places in St. Paul, MN. The [...]
Why Such Divisiveness?
We hear much lamentation about “divisiveness” today and the cause is generally identified as one political party or both. But [...]
The Tragedy of Suicide
Whenever a suicide occurs, those who knew the person are usually shocked, grief-stricken, and confused. “Why did he (she) make [...]
The Challenge of Being a Priest
Being a priest bestows the incomparable honor of changing bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ, as [...]
When Prayer Becomes Propaganda
At first glance, the prayer that Father James Martin, S.J. recently published in America, the magazine he edits, seems a heartfelt [...]
Taking a Knee . . . for What?
The NFL kneeling syndrome is no longer on the front pages. It has been displaced by the hurricanes and the [...]
Moral Theology and Muslim Immigration
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may [...]
Islam Examined, Part 2
Part 1 of this essay discussed the analysis of Islam presented by Nonie Darwish in Cruel and Usual Punishment: The [...]
Islam Examined, Part 1
If Westerners were to stop looking at Islam through the lens of Political Correctness, they would fear for the future [...]
The Age of the Double Standard
Applying a double standard means minimizing or overlooking the lapses in logic or ethics of people we like or agree [...]
Catholic Prelates and Muslim Immigration
For almost two millennia, Christianity has survived innumerable challenges from without, including heresies, schisms and philosophical “isms,” as well as [...]
“Tough Streetfighter from Queens”
The appellation “tough street fighter from Queens” has been applied to both Donald Trump and Anthony Scaramucci to explain their [...]
The Continuing Decline of Journalism
A number of authors have written probing criticisms of modern journalism, notably Bernard Goldberg, James Fallows, and Bob Kohn. Now [...]
Remembering that Words Matter
In times past, there was universal agreement among thinking people that words matter and therefore should be used honestly and [...]
On Listening and Learning
The occasion was a recent picnic and my discussion with a pharmacist began well. I mentioned that I have often [...]
Author Vincent Ryan Ruggiero
Since retiring from teaching, I have continued my work in promoting sound thinking in education and in the general culture. More specifically, I have kept refining my textbooks, four of which have been continuously in print for an average of 33 years. I have also continued to write books for the general public, the latest of which is Corrupted Culture: Rediscovering America’s Enduring Principles, Values, and Common Sense, and I write a weekly column for an online journal.