While most Americans love to talk about the high value of “pluralism” and “free speech” when push comes to shove they usually have a red line—an issue on which it’s NOT okay to disagree openly. At least not publicly. What’s yours?
As increasing attention is paid to the fight against injustice, there seems to be far less interest in the quality of life that justice is ushering people towards – and its meaning and positive purpose. On those questions, Christmas lays before us some precious answers worth celebrating.
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.”
After another contentious Presidential election, Americans are feeling unsettled and angry. If you’re looking for a way to opt out of the rancor this holiday season, Tracy Hollister has some advice.
True, people can be self-interested, calculating, megalomaniacal, partisan, and power-hungry. But God sees the whole person—and so should we.
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.
Many have been persuaded to pursue an “authentic” image of ourselves in our own countenance, rather than seeking the image of God there. Could that be why we’re so miserable?
The division is growing. And the American people are weary. But the truth of forgiveness and reconciliation is no less available and promising. One mediator’s perspective.
What’s helpful about intersectionality, and how it can also be harmful (on both sides of the political spectrum). This continues our series on anger in America today (See also “Anger and the Modern Prophetic Voice”)
Most everyone agrees that the United States is in trouble. Like everything else, however, we don’t agree on what that danger entails.
More empathy for the difficulties, fears, and frustrations of others ought to help us move forward together despite political differences. These eleven books have helped me deepen my understanding of poverty in America.
Are there understandings of social justice that would help us unite around its aspirations—rather than continue fighting over it?
