Category: Uncommon Ground

“Interpretation!” Is Not an Acceptable Reply to Criticism of Religious Texts

May 18, 2017 | by | 3 Comments
Religion, its role in society, its importance and the liberties it is accorded are in the news again. Particularly when it comes to matters of social equality, the argument that a given religion or ideology is fundamentally skewed against socio-cultural progress meets with swift denial and the insistence that religious import depends on interpretation. This is not an indirect attack […] Read more

Reproductive Health is a Human Right and is Under Attack

May 18, 2017 | by | 1 Comments
Co-authored with Scott Jacobsen The Global Gag rule, first introduced by Ronald Reagan in 1984, purportedly appeals to the value of human life when implementing laws regarding health care issues. The main course of action instigated by the Global Gag rule is defunding health care clinics around the world, restriction options for reproductive health care […] Read more

Interview with Andy Ngo – Formerly at the Vanguard, Portland State University

May 15, 2017 | by | 3 Comments
Andy Ngo is a University of California, Los Angeles alumnus. He is a graduate student at Portland State and a freelance journalist. Shortly before this audio interview, he made a recording of a student speaking on Islam at “Unpacking Misconceptions” at Portland State University. Based on his reporting, he was fired by the Portland State University student newspaper, the Vanguard. He wrote an op-ed in the National Review about it. The Vanguard wrote a response to it after this audio interview. He can be reached through Twitter. Here is his recounting of the event and aftermath. Read more