Dialogue
Lord, Is It I?
In the wake of calls for racial justice, it can be easy to feel defensive. Christ’s apostles modeled another way: looking introspectively.
Public Square Staff
June 3, 2020
In the wake of calls for racial justice, it can be easy to feel defensive. Christ’s apostles modeled another way: looking introspectively.
It’s easy for any of us to assume that people disagreeing with our own views are influenced by ill-will, dishonesty or callousness. But what if we didn’t?
Latter-day Saints see their faith as a receptacle of truth not just a dispenser of it, which explains the ease in finding so much that is “virtuous” and “lovely” in many traditions.
The Roman world moved from persecuting to embracing Christians; as we now abandon Christian standards are we reviving many of the aspects of pagan persecution?
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.
When issues are so important and feelings so intense and disagreements so profound, is it even possible to find unity again? Maybe if we take the lead from God’s own love for us.
What if deeper conversation threatens my very sense of self? In most cases it is infinitely worthwhile to engage in such “rival contestation.”
Will admonitions to be kinder, nicer, more civil, and less hateful be enough to change our pained American discourse? Or have they become part of the problem?
When strong disagreements take place publicly, it’s no longer surprising when death threats occur – on both sides. Why is that? And what will it take to preserve space for productive disagreement in the days ahead?
Will we continue the patterns of contempt and division in this new America? Or will we reach for something better?
Tolerance must have its limits, but what should those limits be? Thinkers on the right and left have come to very different conclusions.
Along with scientific and historical reasons for concern, the words of modern prophets have consistently warned about the destructive potential of unbridled anger.