Today on Kresta in the Afternoon - December 1, 2011

Talking about the "things that matter most" on December 1

4:00 – Was Shakespeare a Catholic? – Vatican Weighs In
The Vatican newspaper has entered into a lively literary debate, saying that the works of William Shakespeare show that the author was a Catholic. L’Osservatore Romano reviewed a new film, Anonymous, which examines the popular theory that the works of Shakespeare were actually penned by the Earl of Oxford, Edward de Vere. An accompanying article, citing many references to Catholic thought within the plays, concludes: “His identity may be open to discussion but not his faith.” L'Osservatore notes that because of fierce anti-Catholic persecution, Shakespeare was forced to conceal his religious beliefs. Shakespeare expert Joseph Pearce weighs in.

4:40 – Human Exceptionalism Takes Center Stage
Recently the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals filed a lawsuit against Sea World for allegedly violating the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution -- which bans slavery -- by keeping orcas at parks in San Diego and Orlando, Fla. This is just the latest in a coordinated attempt to eliminate the idea of human exceptionalism. Bioethicist Wesley Smith has been on the front lines of this argument for years, and is here to share the next step in the battle.

5:00 – Kresta Comments

5:40 – Late-Term Abortion Butcher Marks One Year in DC Area
It has been one year since LeRoy Carhart opened a late-term abortion mill in Germantown, MD in the DC area. He is one of very few who defend and are proud of their third trimester abortions. A group of pro-life warriors have been witnessing in front of his “clinic.” By Carhart’s own reports, 700 plus babies that have been killed. Dr. Grace Morrison has been involved from the beginning and is here to share why this particular battle is so significant.