Acton Institute Powerblog Archives

5 Facts

October 04, 2019

13 facts about St. Francis of Assisi: Samuel Gregg

The Roman Catholic Church observes October 4 as the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi. The beloved saint has often been portrayed as a proto-environmentalist, a borderline pantheist, or a holy man who used his religious vocation to “preach communism.” This image could not be more baseless, writes Samuel Gregg, Ph.D., director of research at the Acton Institute. Continue Reading...
September 23, 2019

10 facts about homelessness in America

The homeless represent the most vulnerable portion of Americans living in poverty. The latest U.S. government report on homelessness shows that a culture of secularism and statism is depriving Americans of church philanthropy, curbing the free market’s ability to provide, and leaving the most vulnerable reliant on the government – or the mercy of the streets. Continue Reading...
August 01, 2019

5 Facts about food stamp programs

Last week the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) proposed a measure it claims will close a loophole that allows states to make participants receiving minimal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits automatically eligible to participate in USDA’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Continue Reading...
June 06, 2019

5 Facts about the Nineteenth Amendment

This week marks the centennial anniversary of the Nineteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Here are five facts you should know about women’s suffrage and the amendment: 1. The 19th Amendment doesn’t directly mention women. Continue Reading...
May 30, 2019

5 Facts about Coptic Christians

This Saturday is the inaugural Global Coptic Day, a day that commemorates the Holy Family’s flight to Egypt and that celebrates “the Coptic Orthodox Church’s rich heritage, including its indelible history of martyrdom and persecution, theological education and monasticism.” Here are five facts you should know about this ancient Christian tradition. Continue Reading...