Do You ‘Believe in Science’…or Not?
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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Author: Jacob Z. Hess
Jacob Hess served on the board of the National Coalition of Dialogue and Deliberation and co-authored "You're Not as Crazy as I Thought, But You're Still Wrong" and “The Power of Stillness: Mindful Living for Latter-day Saints.” He has a Ph.D. in clinical-community psychology from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign - and has focused his research on the implications of competing health and sociopolitical narratives.
Are There Good Reasons to Opt Out of the BLM Movement?
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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Mapping Public Disagreements about Covid-19 Response
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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Apocalyptic, and Not Ashamed to Say It
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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Is America Really Rotten to the Core?
We’re right to mourn slavery as a country. It’s not what “birthed” America though.
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A Rhetoric of Racial Despair
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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The Virtues of Strong Disagreement
Serious differences generate serious discomfort for us all. Could that be why they’re so good for us?
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Towards a Less Depressing Story about Depression
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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My truth? Your truth? No truth?
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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Can Thoughtful People Disagree about the Coronavirus Response?
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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Pitting Christian Ministry and Devotion Against Each Other
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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The Threat of Persuasion
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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The Coronavirus Choice We’re Not Talking About
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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What Does a Marxist Think of Bernie? Q&A with Arthur Peña
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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Why is Bernie Winning? Maybe Because He’s Angry
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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Why Persuasion Should Be a Sweet (Not a Dirty) Word
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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Is It Time for a Paradigm Shift in Mental Health?
We’ve tried so hard to decrease depression, anxiety and suicide. And the numbers keep going up. Is it time to consider even more fundamental shifts in our approach?
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If More Treatment Is the Answer, Why Haven’t the Numbers Gone Down?
As suicide numbers increase, we continue to hear suggestions that “undertreatment” is the main problem. After two decades of rising treatment rates, could it be time to reassess?
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Anguishing at America’s Future? Let Christmas Console You
Is it only Jesus’ birth we celebrate at Christmas? Not if we’re paying attention to the songs we sing.
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Why Is It “Big News” That Believers Are Motivated by Love?
What is it about the idea that religious communities are motivated by love that is so surprising as to constitute front page news?
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