Today on Kresta in the Afternoon - February 8, 2011

Talking about the "things that matter most" on Feb. 8

4:00 – Human Rights Watch slams Egypt treatment of Copts
Meanwhile the US-based Human Rights Watch has accused Egypt of "widespread discrimination" against its Christian and other religious minorities in its annual report for 2010, which also highlights repression of political dissent. We talk with Ashraf Ramela from Voice of the Copts.

4:20 – Catholic Controversies: Understanding Church Teachings and Events in History
A new book entitled Catholic Controversies gives Catholics and others seeking the truth a valuable resource for correcting the most common misunderstandings and myths perpetuated by the media, university professors and the uninformed. It collects the very best articles addressing most of the “hot-button” issues used to undermine both the authority of the Church and the faith of Catholics, especially young people. The topics range from proofs of God’s existence to the Spanish Inquisition to human cloning and stem-cell research. Author Stephen Gabriel joins us.

5:00 – TBA

5:20 – Dickens and the Social Order – Charles Dickens Born Feb. 8, 1812
Today is the birthday of Charles Dickens. Dickens was the most popular English novelist of the Victorian era, and he remains popular, responsible for some of English literature's most iconic characters. We take this opportunity to discuss Dickens and the Social Order, as well as the religious themes and contexts in the works of Dickens with author Myron Magnet.

5:40 – An Evening of Tribute to Joe Scheidler
Joe Scheidler is one of the Grandfathers of the Pro-Life Movement. He was called the Green Beret of the pro-life movement by Pat Buchanan. His book on his methods of fighting abortion, CLOSED: 99 Ways to Stop Abortion was a seminal book for pro-lifers. Joe also produced the definitive videos on sidewalk counseling, No Greater Joy, and Face the Truth. He was the chief defendant in a RICO lawsuit brought against him, his pro-life action league, and other pro-life activists by the National Organization for Women and two abortion clinics. In April, pro-life activists from across the country, including Al, will gather in Chicago to honor the life and work of Joe Scheidler. We talk with Monica Miller, one of the organizers of the event.