Ryan Thomas Neace

Counselor, professor, husband, daddy

In coming to a greater understanding of Christian masculinity, I am calling us to introspect and to adopt more fitting approach -- one that bears the fruit of Scripture's high calling, "reconciling the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers."

Karl Giberson, Ph.D

Professor, Stonehill College

The most interesting strategy employed by anti-evolutionists over the last century and a half has been to report that "Darwinism is Dead" or "Evolution has Collapsed." The exercise is all but meaningless in terms of scientific discussion.

Rabbi Menachem Creditor

Editor, 'Peace in Our Cities: Rabbis Against Gun Violence'

Daylight is fading, eyelids are drooping -- a gentle goodnight seems natural. On the other hand, there is the "simple task" of getting a child to bed, tucking them in, and finally going to take care of "grown-up stuff." How difficult it is to preserve this escapable sacred experience.

Varun Soni

Dean of Religious Life at USC

We all have obstacles to overcome and dragons to slay, our path is often treacherous and challenging, and our destination is not always clear. But ultimately, the adventure of the hero is the adventure of being alive.

Mehdi Hasan

Political director of The Huffington Post UK

As a supporter of secularism, I am willing to accept same-sex weddings in a state-sanctioned register office, on grounds of equity. As a believer in Islam, however, I insist that no mosque be forced to hold one against its wishes.

Bernard Starr

Psychologist; Journalist; College Professor

Wouldn't you assume that the newly established Church would want its devotees to immerse themselves in the sanctioned New Testament, especially since the Church went to great lengths to eliminate competing Gospels?

Keith Runyon

Journalist

"Concern with others' well being: that is compassion," the 77-year-old Buddhist spiritual leader declared. "Compassion must come from there," he added, pointing toward his heart.

Jon O'Brien

President, Catholics for Choice

Catholic teachings affirm the importance of religious pluralism. Prime Minister Kenny's presence at the Boston College graduation is just the sort of conversation-starter that Catholic higher education needs. At best, Cardinal O'Malley's exit from the proceedings only touched off more debate among Catholic school students who have been well-prepared for the challenge.

Diana Bletter

Writer, Author, 'The Mom Who Took Off On Her Motorcycle'

My friend just came back from a scientific conference in Austria where she met other scientists, from places like Saudi Arabia and South Africa, who were shocked to discover that she, a Muslim Arab, was living and working with Jews in Israel.

Aamir Hussain

Muslim Interfaith Activist

As the "Arab Spring" and its aftermath continue to upset the historical order in many countries, future Muslim leaders would do well to follow the example of Dhul-Qarnayn. Acknowledging the limits of their own political systems and promoting collective action are central to good governance in this increasingly pluralistic age.

Jim Wallis

Christian leader for social change; Author, 'On God’s Side: What Religion Forgets and Politics Hasn’t Learned About Serving the Common Good'

Violence against women is the most prevalent and the most hidden injustice in our world today. It's time for all people of faith to be outraged. It's time for our Christian leaders to stand up and say that women, made in the very image of God, deserve better.

Steven A. Krueger

President, Catholic Democrats

It has become a rite of spring in the past decade: the commencement speaker controversy involving a U.S Catholic bishop and a prominent Catholic political figure upon whom an honorary degree will be bestowed by a Catholic college.

Lance Simmens

Adjunct Professor of Public Policy, Santa Monica College

This is a story about serendipity and fortuitousness, luck and good fortune, beauty and love, and is restorative of an optimism that is too often dismissed in contemporary society.

KidSpirit

Free teen magazine

I have to let the loudness of God take me away to wherever I need to be. I'll still go to seven different churches and read through the piles of religious of books I've hoarded in my room, but they can't tell me anything compared to what God can tell me.

Harry Rothenberg

Personal injury attorney; lecturer; video blogger for Partners in Torah

Aaron was upset that he and his tribe did not get to donate offerings for the inauguration of the Altar. G-d cheered him up by reassuring him hat he would get to light the Menorah. Was Aaron jealous?

Richard W. Kropf

Author, 'Forever: Evolution and the Quest for Life Beyond Life'

Pope Francis takes the Gospel warnings against Satan very literally, seeing the modern tendency to write the devil off as a kind of mythical expression or literary fiction as a kind of victory for evil's influence in the world. Having been trained by Jesuits, I understand where he is coming from.

Rev. Susan Baller-Shepard

Editor, SpiritualBookClub.com

Thinking of these graduates, I turn to Jeremiah, as I often do: "For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope."