Public Discourse

“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

“Our social media age seems to promote only those voices who best express outrage, promote fear, and discharge bile. What if there were another way to engage even in highly contentious debate?” - Acton

“Time and again I read about how bad things are now, how vile the left has become, and how a commitment to ‘winsomeness’ or kindness is simply inadequate to the moment…. sometimes seen as evidence of weakness or fear—an effort curry favor with people who hate you. But the conversation consistently misconstrues what commitments to civility and decency do and don’t mean” - David French

“When the University of Northampton added a trigger warning to George Orwell’s 1984 last year, a fresh round of conversations about speech and censorship followed. What do people in a free society owe each other when it comes to our words?” - Breakpoint