Jacob Hess served on the board of the National Coalition of Dialogue and Deliberation and is Executive Director of the Council for Sustainable Healing. He has a Ph.D. in clinical-community psychology from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. His research focuses on the implications of competing health and sociopolitical narratives.
President Trump’s comments have been rightly scrutinized for their potential impact on America’s post-election environment. Far less attention has gone to certain themes of progressive commentary, which in combination arguably heightens the volatility of our post-election atmosphere.
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Most everyone agrees that the United States is in trouble. Like everything else, however, we don’t agree on what that danger entails.
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After years of studying contrasting health narratives and their correspondence with actual scientific data, I can’t help but say, be wary of the medical salvation story. It’s usually too good to be true.
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Being judged for being “judgmental” has become so commonplace we hardly think twice about it. But sound judgment says we should.
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Is science an oracle of truth—revealing what we should do and how we should think—or is it an ongoing, contested deliberation about that truth?
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If you have questions or concerns about the Black Lives Matter movement, does that make you racist—or suggest that you don’t believe “black lives matter?” Of course not. But if Americans were needing a reminder of why not, Jonathan Isaac just provided it.
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However nice it would be to feel unified in our response to COVID-19, there are many ongoing differences in perspective between thoughtful, good-hearted people. Could it help to map out fairly what those disagreements are?
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What those who scorn believers in Christ’s return don’t understand is how much hope these beliefs bring—far more than any fear for what is surely coming.
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We’re right to mourn slavery as a country. It’s not what “birthed” America though.
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Anger and grief can inspire social progress. But they can also turn into rage and despair depending on the way we talk and think about what’s happening.
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Serious differences generate serious discomfort for us all. Could that be why they’re so good for us?
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Depression is real and often excruciating. Let’s not make it worse by persuading people it is invariably life-long and based on permanent, intrinsic deficiency.
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The dwindling sense of a common pursuit of truth is contributing to a deteriorating public discourse. Maybe it’s time to stand up for the truth about truth.
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These are serious times – with serious challenges. Does that make it less (or more) important that we stay open to diverse perspectives on what’s happening?
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Those who accuse Christians of focusing too much on devotional worship, rather than the sick and poor – seem to forget that Jesus Himself did both.
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What if deeper conversation threatens my very sense of self? In most cases it is infinitely worthwhile to engage in such “rival contestation.”
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Is this a time to mostly get through and distract ourselves until we can get back to normal? Or are there precious adjustments this challenge could prompt us all to make?
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Bernie Sanders’ campaign has raised many questions about socialism, communism and even Marx. What does an unabashed, thoughtful Marxist think of it all?
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The anger of Bernie Sanders has often been discussed as a political liability. Could it actually be the very reason he’s doing so well?
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Endless sales, politicking, and bickering have convinced many to see persuasion as a bad thing (“as long as you don’t try and persuade me”). We’re going to try and persuade you otherwise.
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