Where Convictions and Friendship Collide
You’re talking with an old friend over coffee. At one point in the conversation, she uses a word that sets off every alarm bell in your head. Clearly she believes something you don’t believe at [...]
Can the Truth Set Us Free in the Trump Era?
This is the story of a weird Bible interpretation and the unexpected wisdom it holds for us today. Recently I came across the gospel account of Jesus and a Jewish sect called the Sadducees. As [...]
Why I’m Not Inclined to Dialogue Right Now
Last week in this space, we discussed “a time for dialogue and a time to shut up.” In line with my contemplative nature, I’ve opted for the latter recently, sitting in silent prayer with the [...]
Dialogue, Damned Dialogue, and Statistics
Dialogue, especially on social and political issues, benefits greatly from a clear (and agreed-upon) grasp of the facts. But ferreting out honest-to-goodness facts can be wickedly tricky. Allow me, in the spirit of making a [...]
Who Cares About the Truth? The Sequel
Last week I wrote a column about “truth indifference,” which has pervaded the public square of late. In the last U.S. elections alone, candidates and pundits on both sides made claims without any regard for [...]
Dialogue, Truth, and Its More Obnoxious Fans
Uncle Sam wants YOU to learn English —bumper sticker I saw this bumper sticker while driving up the interstate yesterday, and after the automatic cringe, it got me thinking about a much larger question than [...]