Free Republic

NORTHAMPTON, Mass. — In every line of work, there are family businesses. But no business is more defined by dynasties and nepotism than evangelical preaching. Lyman Beecher, Bob Jones, Billy Graham, Oral Roberts, Robert H. Schuller, Jim Bakker: all had sons who became ministers. It is never easy stepping into Dad’s shoes, of course. But when the family business is religion, it is especially perilous. That is one of the central laments, anyway, of “Sex, Mom, & God,” a new memoir by Frank Schaeffer. To secular Americans, the name Frank Schaeffer means nothing. But to millions of evangelical Christians, the...

If you have spent enough time at any post-secondary institution in Canada, you will know that conversations about politics among students rarely result in consensus. The only one I have been able to find so far is that everyone is scared out of their wits about ex-Alaska governor Sarah Palin. Whenever the discussion turns to her, almost invariably, one person will say "I really don't want that crazy (blank) to be president." For the record, it's not just students. My own grandmother has echoed this sentiment, only more politely. The general opinion is that if Canada is going to be...

An Afghan negotiator has given the Chosun Ilbo an insight into the hidden story of negotiations with the Taliban for the release of 21 Koreans held captive by the Islamist group. Lawmaker Abdul Salam Raketi said Taliban militants have refused to meet tribal elders, who usually play a central role in hostage negotiations. Raketi was himself a senior member of the Taliban and led abductions in the past. In an exclusive interview, Raketi spoke at his house in the Afghan capital of Kabul with Korean freelancer Jean Chung. He hinted that the hostage crisis will drag on, saying a swap...