Kresta in the Afternoon

November 22, 1963 saw the deaths of three of the most influential men of the 20th century. JFK's assassination dominated the headlines that day, so few people realize it is also the death day of CS Lewis and Aldous Huxley, the author of Brave New World. These three men had vastly different opinions on life and spirituality. Kennedy was a Catholic politician who firmly supported the separation of Church and State. Lewis was a former atheist who is arguably the most beloved Christian author of the last 100 years. And Huxley was a self-described agnostic who dabbled in mysticism and psychedelic drugs. In his book Between Heaven and Hell, Peter Kreeft imagines these three men meeting and conversing in Purgatory. He joins us with his theory as to what each man would have to say.

On this day 60 years ago, President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. Peggy Stanton was a young reporter at the time, working in Milwaukee in the early stages of her career. She shares her memories of that day.

St. Thomas Aquinas is well-known for his contributions to philosophy. But scholars have recently began to more fully appreciate his role as a biblical theologian. Why was this aspect of his thought neglected for so long? What did Aquinas’ Biblical theology look like? We talk with Dr. Matthew Levering.

As St. Juan Diego ascended Tepeyac Hill before his famous encounter with the Blessed Mother, he found himself surrounded by beautiful music and wondrous sights. In wonder, he asked himself if he had found the place his ancestors spoke of – the “Flower World Paradise in the land of heaven.” What is this Flower World prophecy? Joseph and Monique Gonzalez join us.

Pope Francis has expressed deep reservations about the direction of the Catholic Church in Germany, warning that concrete steps currently being taken “threaten” to undermine unity with the universal Church. Matthew Bunson has more.

On November 16, 1993, President Clinton signed the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, commonly known as RFRA, into law. Why did Clinton feel the law was necessary at the time, and what is its significance today? Dean John Czarnetzky joins us.

Ninety years ago, one of the greatest minds in history defended the Western heritage and explained how Jews contributed to it. Al tells the story and shares some of his own thoughts.

At the Fall Assembly last week, the US Bishops voted to advance the cause of beatification for Fr. Isaac Hecker, founder of the Paulist Fathers. Hecker is an important figure in American Catholic history, but most people today likely aren’t familiar with him. Dr. John Farina helps us get to know him better.

The latest viral trend on TikTok is surprising, to say the least. Users began rediscovering the “Letter to America” that Osama bin Laden wrote in 2002, explaining his reasons for the 9/11 attacks. Multiple users on TikTok declared that “their eyes had been opened” and that Bin Laden made good points. Raymond Ibrahim joins us with more.

Europe has witnessed a 44% jump in anti-Christian hate crimes across more than two dozen European countries over the past year, according to a new report from the Vienna-based Observatory on Intolerance and Discrimination against Christians in Europe. Anja Hoffman joins us with the details, and also updates us on the victory of the Finnish lawmaker who was accused of hate speech.