Public Discourse

The book “offers hope in our contentious times, a better way to confront differences. Now it’s up to us to take the advice seriously.” - Acton

“Sides are intellectually easy and emotionally satisfying. Positions are intellectually challenging and emotionally complex. Once you know which side you’re on—in the culture war, or the political war—you can let your friends, or your podcasts, do your thinking for you.” - Persuasion

“Offending woke sensibilities can be exciting, and it can gain you plaudits from your own tribe. Of course, the question is how far you will go in this endeavor, and how honestly you engage the issues.” - World

“A New Right has arisen in America. Its adherents are anti-liberal, at war with the woke Left, opposed to pluralism, enamored of state power and nationalism, and ready to abandon such niceties as civility and toleration.” - Public Discourse

“1. Do you present opposing viewpoints in ways that your opponent would agree with?… 2. Do you resort to personal attacks…3. Are you able to assume the best about someone else’s approach even if you disagree with their conclusions?” - 9 Marks

“Persons who believe that the truth is so easily discovered often react with moral revulsion against conservatives and reactionaries who disagree with them. Since truth is so intellectually clear, [they reason,] those who do not see it must be persons of bad will. Daily experience teaches that this is not so.” - Acton

“my colleague Shane Morris had a fascinating discussion on the Colson Center’s Upstream podcast … about Christian mockery, using the writings of 17th-century mathematician and Christian apologist, Blaise Pascal.” - Breakpoint

“Most debates that we observe on television consist of two people trying to outshout and demonize each other. This is because it is much easier to dismiss opposing arguments than it is to understand them.” - Eternal Perspective

“In any case, the person you think is ‘playing politics’ may actually be trying to show respect to friendships he’s had for forty years. At least consider this option before you blast away.” - Mark Ward

“Overall, 61% of U.S. adults say they have heard at least a fair amount about the phrase ‘cancel culture,’ up from 44% in September 2020” - Pew