Ross Douthat explores the cultural, economic and political torpor that he thinks has emerged in the United States over the last half-century.

If the pandemic and the swell of protests have shown that Americans are still capable of heeding the call of their better angels, it has also exposed the flaws and deficiencies of our political leadership.

In a report, Refugees International claims that U. S. immigration policy of denying asylum to Guatemalans--in addition to poor living conditions--has led to the spread of coronavirus throughout the Americas.

“Law enforcement officers perform a great and needed service; they serve to promote justice and the common good in society,” they said. “But it is clear that there have been too many failures in serving everyone, with tragic consequences.”

While Serra is credited with spreading the Catholic faith across what is now California, critics say he was part of an imperial conquest that beat and enslaved Native Americans.

The results of the survey suggest that despite political pressure to reopen houses of worship—from President Donald Trump as well as leading conservative Christians and religious liberty advocates—Americans aren't quite ready to take a seat in a sanctuary.