Why are we so divided? It’s about identity

It’s hard to wrap our minds around how diametrically opposed Americans are politically and culturally. It often feels quite literally like we are living in different realities from each other, perceiving events so distinctly that it’s as if we’re on separate worlds. And this phenomenon isn’t limited to the U.S. – most Western democracies are […]

The idolatry and slavery of identity

“You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in You.” – St. Augustine, Confessions “All of you who were baptized into Christ have put on the family likeness of Christ. Gone is the distinction between Jew and Greek, slave and free man, male and female – you […]

What’s the big deal about white privilege?

People are funny. We identify strongly with groups and are quick to be defensive about ourselves or others in the groups we belong to. We’re so oriented to this way of thinking that there’s even a phrase describing it (“groupthink”), and we learn to interpret communication according to often subconscious queues that are understood in […]

Too many Christians are voting out of fear and ignorance

Many of you who need to read this probably won’t because you’ve judged and labeled me as something that allows you to justify ignoring me, probably “liberal” or some other similar term. I’m not, but that’s what people do in order to avoid things they don’t understand, don’t agree with, or otherwise fail to properly […]

A guide to the 2020 presidential election

I’m a Republican. I’m a conservative in the classical sense of the word, meaning I think it prudent to be thoughtful and cautious about change. Other than that, though, I share nothing in common with the current Republican Party. I’m a Christian above all else and readily recognize that Jesus has damning critiques for both […]

Understanding our polarization and how to view media

I didn’t intend to immediately write another post about the media following my last one, but the disdain I continue to see people fling at it convinced me otherwise. I think there’s more to say about how to understand what the media is and how to smartly sift through it. But before getting to that, […]

Mainstream media: you’re probably wrong – it’s vitally important

While America is obviously severely polarized down politically partisan lines, most of us have a favorite punching bag we tend to unite around: the mainstream media. It’s fairly common to see hawks of both left, right and middle agree about that devil that is supposedly wracked with bias and serves only to divide us; misinform […]