What I’m Reading – 3/26/15

Below are some of the articles and books I’ve read recently that you may enjoy perusing.

• “Steven Pinker Is Wrong about Violence and War,” by John Gray — The author argues that, despite the claims of some, modernization and development do not equal moral progress.

• “Fetuses Reacting to Moms’ Smoking,” by Mary Bowerman — from the article: “Using high definition images of fetuses in the womb researchers think they can see differences in prenatal developmental behavior in smokers vs. non-smokers.”

• “Mother of Coptic Christian Beheaded by ISIS: I Thank God He Kept Faith, Died for Cross,” by Brian Sprowl — The terror and persecution inflicted by ISIS has not swayed the faith of one victim’s mother.

• “Giving a Face to Sudan’s Refugee Crisis,” by Helena Cavendish de Moura — A photographer captures the stories and faces of refugees in Sudan. “Whether from Sudan, South Sudan or Eritrea, the faces become, individually and collectively, a portrait of the endless wars that have shaped the Horn of Africa.”

• “Roma Downey, Mark Burnett Avow ‘A.D. – The Bible Continues’ Contrasts ‘Gruesome’ Crucifixion with the Promise of the Resurrection,” by Emma Koonse — “‘A.D.’ picks up where the ‘Bible’ series left off, starting with the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus that altered history. The series chronicles several of the most intense and tumultuous decades in history as well as the birth of the early church.”