Competing Views of “Inclusivity”
One sense of this popular term was used to call for the cancellation of Sister Wendy Nelson’s speech last week. Another sense of the same word was used to defend its occurrence.
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Author: Public Square Staff
The Doctrine of Christ is Not Racist
Like the accusations against its history, some have insisted the doctrine of the Church of Jesus Christ has racism “embedded” within it. Are those making this claim aware of what the Church actually teaches?
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Is Latter-day Saint History More (or Less) Racist Than Other Communities’?
Those who claim that Latter-day Saint history is uniquely racist pay insufficient attention to the larger context surrounding early Saints, as well as the meaningful examples of positive race relations in the life of Joseph Smith.
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Five Ways to Explain Away Black Conservatives
As black conservatives have become more vocal and popular, efforts to dismiss them have also increased. If we’re serious about diversity and inclusion we need to hear from all black voices, including those on the right.
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Saving Meghan’s Fairytale
All across the globe, people have different theories of what went wrong with the Meghan and Harry fairytale. Most explanations, however, offer little hope of any redemption from the mess. There is one notable exception.
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Three Public Takes on the BYU Racial Equity Report
A long report on racial equity was released by a BYU committee last week, eliciting widely disparate public responses. We summarize three competing interpretations being taken up here.
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Disagreement is Not Disunion
The inauguration of our new president is almost a week old. There’s one especially striking moment from his speech that can’t and shouldn’t yet slip from our memories.
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Not Who We Are…Right?
If it’s true yesterday “did not reflect the core of who we are as Americans,” the siege of our nation’s capital does say something about who many of us are becoming. Is this just another step on a downward spiral, or could it become a legitimate turning point for our nation’s trajectory?
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Mapping Public Disagreements about Election Challenges
Disagreements over the integrity of our recent presidential election don’t appear to be going away anytime soon. In such a heated atmosphere, there is remarkably little comprehension (on either side) as to the nuances of their opponents’ actual beliefs. That’s where a map like this might just come in handy.
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The Grinch Who (Almost) Stole Thanksgiving
How to celebrate Thanksgiving this year is a challenging question for many American families. Whatever the details of the decision, let’s hold on to the transcendent spirit of the holiday.
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Stop Deleting Your Facebook
More and more of our friends and family are opting out of social media entirely. Honest question: What would Jesus do?
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Dear America, We Can Still Do This!
Domestic peacekeepers are speaking out with everything they’ve got—reminding this country about its historic capacity to hold and work through serious disagreements productively. It’s time to listen before it’s too late.
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Monsters Among Us
This Halloween, the trend of American monsterizing is on full-display. Let’s recognize the fantasy in it so we can leave it behind, and avoid the danger it involves for all of us.
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Prophets on Politics: Ten Messages to an Agitated, Aggrieved America
In this tumultuous year for America, with so much confusion and fear, is it time to consider what “watchmen on the tower” have to say?
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The Wisdom of the Aged
Increasingly, older and senior members of our communities are seen as backward and not worth considering. That’s a mistake. General Conference will provide an opportunity to listen to the hard-earned wisdom of age that we should seek for.
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When Trust Dies
What happens when most Americans stop trusting our institutions? We’re about to find out.
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Is the World Going to Burn Up?
More and more, people talking about climate change seem outright apocalyptic. But without the happy ending other End Timers are looking forward to.
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Does Social Justice Really Have to Divide Us?
Are there understandings of social justice that would help us unite around its aspirations—rather than continue fighting over it?
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Prophets on Pandemic: Ten Messages to a Weary, Wary World
Confusion, anxiety, despair, and anger are everywhere. Thankfully, we are not left “comfortless” or without inspired direction in these challenging times.
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Then They Came for Jefferson
While more Americans now support the removal of confederate monuments, with statues of our Founders now defaced, where will the line be drawn?
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