Jacob Z. Hess, Author at Public Square Magazine

Why Bother Engaging with Stupid, Duped, or Evil People?

Posted by Charles Randall Paul | Dialogue, Persuasion

This is the sixth in a series by Arthur Peña, Charles Randall Paul, and Jacob Hess called “Inevitable Influencers: Why (deep down) we all want—and need—to persuade each other of what we see as good, beautiful, and true.” Previous pieces include “Why Persuasion Should be a Sweet (Not a Dirty) Word”; “The Threat of Persuasion,” and “My Truth? Your Truth? No Truth?”; “The Virtues of Strong Disagreement,” and “Our Judgment Against Judgment.”

Seven Ways Latter-day Saint Teaching about Sexuality Have Been Misrepresented

Posted by Jacob Z. Hess | Family Matters, Sexuality & Family

Much has been written in recent years about what “Latter-day Saints believe” about LGBT issues – only a fraction of which accurately represents our true convictions. Tragically, even today, many are only familiar with these widespread distortions.

The Problem with Demanding Trust

Posted by Jacob Z. Hess | Election Aftermath, Politics & Law

If we want to cultivate public confidence in the election, condemning or dismissing entirely those with concerns about the vote won’t help us get there. And making space for a little suspicion and caution shouldn’t hurt either.

When Does the Poison of Our National Suspicion Become Lethal?

Posted by Jacob Z. Hess | Political Atmosphere, Politics & Law

Early this morning, President Trump stood before the American people on the verge of another astounding upset and accused his opponents of fraud. When will the mounting levels of mutual suspicion and accusation take us past our breaking point as a country?

Competing Narratives of American Redemption

Posted by Jacob Z. Hess | Dialogue, Social Justice

We don’t agree on the problems facing America, which is why our views of the solutions and answers to the mess we’re in diverge so widely as well.

Would the Left Accept Four More Years?

Posted by Jacob Z. Hess | Politics & Law, The 2020 Election

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.

Competing Narratives of Danger in America

Posted by Jacob Z. Hess | Dialogue, Social Justice

Most everyone agrees that the United States is in trouble. Like everything else, however, we don’t agree on what that danger entails.

AstraZeneca and Pfizer Will Save Us

Posted by Jacob Z. Hess | Health, Pandemic

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.

Our Judgement Against Judgement

Posted by Jacob Z. Hess | Dialogue, Persuasion

Being judged for being “judgmental” has become so commonplace we hardly think twice about it. But sound judgment says we should.

Do You ‘Believe in Science’…or Not?

Posted by Jacob Z. Hess | Education, Health, Media & Education, Pandemic

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?

Are There Good Reasons to Opt Out of the BLM Movement?

Posted by Jacob Z. Hess | Dialogue, Racial Healing

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.

Mapping Public Disagreements about Covid-19 Response

Posted by Jacob Z. Hess | Health, Pandemic

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?

Apocalyptic, and Not Ashamed to Say It

Posted by Jacob Z. Hess | Climate & End Times, Faith

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.

Is America Really Rotten to the Core?

Posted by Andrew D.L. Evans | Dialogue, History

We’re right to mourn slavery as a country. It’s not what “birthed” America though.

A Rhetoric of Racial Despair

Posted by Jacob Z. Hess | Dialogue, Racial Healing

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.

The Virtues of Strong Disagreement

Posted by Charles Randall Paul | Dialogue, Persuasion

Serious differences generate serious discomfort for us all. Could that be why they’re so good for us?

Towards a Less Depressing Story about Depression

Posted by Jacob Z. Hess | Health, Mental Health

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.

My truth? Your truth? No truth?

Posted by Arthur Peña | Dialogue, Persuasion

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.

Can Thoughtful People Disagree about the Coronavirus Response?

Posted by Jacob Z. Hess | Health, Pandemic

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?

Pitting Christian Ministry and Devotion Against Each Other

Posted by Jacob Z. Hess | Church & State, Faith

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.

Author: Jacob Z. Hess

Why Bother Engaging with Stupid, Duped, or Evil People?

Seven Ways Latter-day Saint Teaching about Sexuality Have Been Misrepresented

The Problem with Demanding Trust

When Does the Poison of Our National Suspicion Become Lethal?

Would the Left Accept Four More Years?

AstraZeneca and Pfizer Will Save Us

Do You ‘Believe in Science’…or Not?

Are There Good Reasons to Opt Out of the BLM Movement?

Apocalyptic, and Not Ashamed to Say It

Is America Really Rotten to the Core?

A Rhetoric of Racial Despair

The Virtues of Strong Disagreement

Towards a Less Depressing Story about Depression

My truth? Your truth? No truth?

Can Thoughtful People Disagree about the Coronavirus Response?

Pitting Christian Ministry and Devotion Against Each Other

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