Acton Institute

Is the Vatican missing its defining moment? That question lies at the heart of Jimmy Lai’s imprisonment and the Vatican’s timid response to Communist China. We need the Pope to do more than hold polite talks — we need moral leadership that denounces injustice. Ultimately, Lai’s Catholic faith and steadfast resolve remind us that liberty transcends cultural and national boundaries.

History shows that well-intended government interventions often lead to unintended consequences. The late Walter Williams understood a simple truth: Government intervention often creates more problems than it solves. It's why we advocate for policies that prioritize free enterprise and personal responsibility. Economic freedom leads to true prosperity.

We really misunderstand freedom. Real liberty demands the break from sin’s power. When Christ unlocks our inner chains — our guilt, fear, and futility — we’re finally free to act meaningfully in the world. Only in Christ’s freeing grace do we finally discover the joyful reality of living, serving, and loving as liberated souls.

If you think science and Puritanism don’t mix, you’ve been misled by bad history. The Puritans saw empirical study as a divine calling, a way to glorify God through reason and observation.

The ability to rethink, challenge assumptions, and grow intellectually is essential for a flourishing society. Thoughtful engagement with new ideas isn’t a sign of weakness—it’s a mark of wisdom. At Acton, we encourage an open exchange of ideas rooted in reason, virtue, and human dignity. In today’s world, where ideological rigidity is often mistaken for strength, genuine intellectual humility is more valuable than ever.

We were made to make. That’s the driving force behind Bruce Herman’s "Makers by Nature," a stunning, letter-driven meditation on art, faith, and tradition. In an age where creativity is outsourced to machines, Herman argues that true making—whether in painting, writing, or life itself—is about connection, memory, and ultimately, worship.

What happens when business ethics, medical dilemmas, and Christian philosophy intersect? On the latest Acton Line episode, Dan Churchwell speaks with Biola University's Dr. Scott Rae on: ? The moral complexities of modern medicine ? Ethical decision-making in business ? The significance of death and the Resurrection This conversation, recorded at Acton University, is a must-listen for anyone thinking deeply about faith, markets, and human dignity. Listen now:?https://lnkd.in/g_tzmMSc #podcast #medicine

If democracy needs Christianity, but Christianity is false, what does that say about democracy? Jonathan Rauch’s book "Cross Purposes" is a contradiction in terms. Both in argument and execution. He argues that democracy needs Christianity, yet insists Christianity is false. His grasp of history is thin, his theology superficial, and his political analysis selectively blind. It's a book that flatters secular liberals, but fails to wrestle with the deeper questions it claims to address.

How does a nation "win" a trade war? Tariffs spark fierce debate. Are they a tool for economic strength—or a recipe for stagnation? We hope you'll join our forthcoming Acton Lecture Series, featuring economist James E. Hartley. He'll dive into the economic realities behind the headlines. Expect clarity, insights, and an interactive Q&A. ?? March 13 ? Register now: acton.is/ALS-trade

To Americans, France’s bans on religious clothing may seem like tyranny. But here's the way France sees it: La?cité isn’t just policy—it’s a pillar of national identity. The U.S. sees religion as a civic asset. But France’s secularism actively distances faith from public life, shaped by centuries of conflict with clerical power. The two nations approach the same problem from opposite ends. The line between freedom and restriction depends on where you stand. #geopolitics #culture