When was the last time you had an extended conversation (not on social media!) with someone you disagree with?
TOPIC The Challenge of Polarization: A Panel Conversation
Do you believe you were acting “in good faith” with that person? Were they with you? What do you see as the markers of a good-faith discussion? Jane Coaston made the point that finding a “median position” or “center” on issues should not necessarily be the goal because there often is no easy center. To what extent do you see your community prioritizing centrist ideas instead of ideas that are just, fair, or effective? What drives that? Symone Sanders stressed that while you need to be in conversation with people
VIDEO Link: https://bit.ly/democracyatPTS Length: 1 hr, 23 minutes
you don’t always agree with, you do need to have a line – “not being politically biased, but having values…” What are your lines? Are there conversations you know you can’t have but believe should be happening? Peter Meijer talked about working within the constraints of the system as it is, and that there is frustration on both sides. People make the same argument about the flaws in our institutions, but cite separate cases and evidence. How can a shared dissatisfaction with the status quo inspire and embolden us to build something different? The panel discussed how important it is to view people as persuadable and treat
PANELISTS Jane Coaston Columnist for The New York Times and host of The Argument
them as such. Do you still believe that minds can be changed? Who is someone different from you that taught you something or changed your perspective? Coaston shared that very few people are motivated by facts, but rather, by their hopes and fears. Conspiracy theories, for example, are where people find
Representative Peter Meijer Republican Congressman representing Michigan’s 3rd District since 2021
comradery around what they’re afraid of. How can the church be a place where people find comradery around hope? What would that look like in your community?
Symone Sanders Former Chief Spokesperson for United States Vice President Kamala Harris, author, Democratic strategist, and Host of "SYMONE" on MSNBC
Moderated by Dr. Heath W. Carter
ADDITIONAL READING RECOMMENDATIONS High Conflict: Why We Get Trapped and How We Get Out By Amanda Ripley Grandstanding: The Use and Abuse of Moral Talk By Justin Tosi and Brandon Warmke Uncivil Agreement: How Politics Became Our Identity By Lilliana Mason