Today on "Kresta in the Afternoon" - Nov. 1, 2012

Talking about the "things that matter most" on Nov. 1

4:00 – Blind Spot: When Journalists Don’t Get Religion
Why do the media so often miss or misunderstand major news stories? One reason is that, in today's complex and pervasively religious world, understanding religion is vital in accurately reporting and interpreting current events. Paul Marshall is here to discuss how, all too frequently, journalists and commentators do not take religion seriously and therefore fail to grasp the religious context of the news. These examples range from the 2004 U.S. presidential elections, to Iran, Iraq, the papal succession and most notably the nature of Islam.

4:30 – Does the Recent Nobel Prize in Medicine Indicate an End to Embryonic Stem Cell Research? / Why Old Faithful Should Not Have Personhood Rights
Moral theologian Father Thomas Berg and other bioethicists are praising the work of Shinya Yamanaka, the winner of this year's Nobel Prize in medicine, for helping to “put human embryonic stem cell research largely out of business.” But now some are questioning the ethics involved. We talk to bioethicist Wesley Smith about this as well as whether Old Faithful should have personhood rights – Yes, you read that correctly. Wesley will explain.

5:00 – The Election According to George Weigel
George Weigel

5:20 – Catholics Called to Witness: Inspiring Catholic Voters to Live Their Faith
Catholics Called to Witness is a faith-based organization dedicated to upholding and promoting religious liberty, “our first, most cherished liberty” and the following three non-negotiable principles as stressed by Pope Benedict XVI, while encouraging the Catholic community to participate in the public arena. The ministry is best known for their YouTube video on Catholic voter responsibility entitled “Test of Fire” which has received millions of views. We talk to one of the members of the CC2W team, Adrianna Gonzales.

5:40 – Entering the Year of Faith With a Purpose: Catholic Renewal and Evangelization
Alpha for Catholics is a practical tool that parishes use to inspire Catholic renewal, answer the call to the New Evangelization and the call of Christ and His Church to "go and make disciples of all nations". The Alpha course is an effective tool for awakening faith in people who are on the fringe of the parish life, faithful Catholics and those outside the faith and a perfect tool to use during this Year of Faith. National Director Deacon Steve Mitchell joins us.