Listen Live
Donate
 on air
Schedule

KCRW

Read & Explore

  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Food
  • Culture
  • Events

Listen

  • Live Radio
  • Music
  • Podcasts
  • Full Schedule

Information

  • About
  • Careers
  • Help / FAQ
  • Newsletters
  • Contact

Support

  • Become a Member
  • Become a VIP
  • Ways to Give
  • Shop
  • Member Perks

Become a Member

Donate to KCRW to support this cultural hub for music discovery, in-depth journalism, community storytelling, and free events. You'll become a KCRW Member and get a year of exclusive benefits.

DonateGive Monthly

Copyright 2026 KCRW. All rights reserved.

Report a Bug|Privacy Policy|Terms of Service|
Cookie Policy
|FCC Public Files

Back to To the Point

To the Point

The 'Brights' and the Role of Godliness in Public Life

White House supporters are accusing Senate Democrats of trying to prevent Catholics from becoming judges. Catholic Democrats call that a -despicable smear.- Despite the Constitutional separation of church and state, some non-believers claim they-re the ones who are suffering from discrimination. The flap over the role of religion in American public life springs from President Bush-s nomination of Alabama Attorney General William Pryor to an appellate judgeship. A conservative Catholic, Pryor has denounced the Supreme Court for upholding the right to abortion. Is belief in God a qualification for public acceptance? Are Americans as religious as they claim to be? In this archived edition of To the Point, we consider the role of religion in public life with philosophers, religious scholars, and advocates on both sides of the judicial selection process. (This segment was originally broadcast on July 25.) Making News: Foreign Aid Worker-s View of Daily life in North Korea The escalating tension between North Korea and the US reportedly stems, in part, from North Korea-s failed economy and its leaders- realization that their regime is in danger of collapse. Dr. Norbert Vollertsen spent 18 months in North Korea with a German aid organization before being expelled in December, 2000. Now, an independent aid worker who helps refugees from North Korea, Vollertsen gives us a look at daily life in that country. (This segment was originally broadcast on March 10.) Reporter's Notebook: 25 Years of Pope John Paul II In October, worshippers and world leaders descended on Rome for the Pope's 25th anniversary. Despite the effects of his Parkinsons' disease, the Vatican says John Paul II is upbeat about the beatification of Mother Teresa, the creation of 31 new cardinals, and other planned ceremonies. Seth Armus, professor of history at St. Joseph-s College in New York, looks at the Pope's most notable achievements and impact on world affairs. (This segment was originally broadcast on October 15.) On KCRW, this rebroadcast of To the Point will be pre-empted by holiday programming.

  • rss
  • Share
By Warren Olney • Dec 25, 2003 • 1 min read

White House supporters are accusing Senate Democrats of trying to prevent Catholics from becoming judges. Catholic Democrats call that a -despicable smear.- Despite the Constitutional separation of church and state, some non-believers claim they-re the ones who are suffering from discrimination. The flap over the role of religion in American public life springs from President Bush-s nomination of Alabama Attorney General William Pryor to an appellate judgeship. A conservative Catholic, Pryor has denounced the Supreme Court for upholding the right to abortion. Is belief in God a qualification for public acceptance? Are Americans as religious as they claim to be? In this archived edition of To the Point, we consider the role of religion in public life with philosophers, religious scholars, and advocates on both sides of the judicial selection process. (This segment was originally broadcast on July 25.)

  • Making News:

    Foreign Aid Worker-s View of Daily life in North Korea

    The escalating tension between North Korea and the US reportedly stems, in part, from North Korea-s failed economy and its leaders- realization that their regime is in danger of collapse. Dr. Norbert Vollertsen spent 18 months in North Korea with a German aid organization before being expelled in December, 2000. Now, an independent aid worker who helps refugees from North Korea, Vollertsen gives us a look at daily life in that country. (This segment was originally broadcast on March 10.)

  • Reporter's Notebook:

    25 Years of Pope John Paul II

    In October, worshippers and world leaders descended on Rome for the Pope's 25th anniversary. Despite the effects of his Parkinsons' disease, the Vatican says John Paul II is upbeat about the beatification of Mother Teresa, the creation of 31 new cardinals, and other planned ceremonies. Seth Armus, professor of history at St. Joseph-s College in New York, looks at the Pope's most notable achievements and impact on world affairs. (This segment was originally broadcast on October 15.)

On KCRW, this rebroadcast of

On KCRW, this rebroadcast of

To the Point will be pre-empted by holiday programming.

The Brights

American Jewish Congress' opposition to Pryor nomination

  • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

    Warren Olney

    former KCRW broadcaster

    NewsNationalPolitics
Back to To the Point