René Girard warned that the desire to assign blame can generate violence in the manner of a meme spreading through society.
Polarization
Posted inLast Take
Congressman Tom Suozzi: How to let our better impulses drive American politics
When anyone gets hit, their natural inclination is to punch back, and in Washington these days, that instinct dominates the culture.
Posted inPolitics & Society, Short Take
How Pope Leo can affect American politics—in the best possible way
Leo has sought to be a uniter calling for a more peaceful world. We need leaders who remind us of what is possible, who bring out the best in us while discouraging the worst.
Posted inFeatures, Politics & Society
The antidote to Christian nationalism
We need a healthier public square in which people of all backgrounds can work together.
Posted inFaith, Faith in Focus
I’m a Catholic Trump voter. I hope Americans can find a better way to talk about politics.
We Catholics ought to be at the forefront in establishing a better way for Americans to discuss matters of political significance.
Posted inFaith in Focus, Politics & Society
How parents can avoid passing on election stress to their children
Advice from a Jesuit psychologist in training
Posted inFaith, Your Take
Breaking bread and ending culture wars
In a piece published in the September issue of America, the Napa Institute’s Tim Busch described his initiative to alleviate American Catholic polarization through a series of dinners. His approach elicited diverse reactions from our readers.
Posted inPolitics & Society, Short Take
Democrats have a rural America problem. Calling them ‘weird’ won’t help.
The “weird” meme, popularized by the Harris-Walz campaign, goes hand in hand with a longstanding ridicule of rural America, and it is punching down on some of the most disadvantaged people in our society.
Posted inPolitics & Society, Short Take
Republican or Democrat: Don’t make an idol of political parties
As we head into this election season, consider how you can ground yourself in a politics bigger than the idolatry of parties or politicians.
Posted inFaith, Last Take
Lowering the temperature in Catholic culture wars—over a meal
In face-to-face conversations, Catholics can disagree without being disagreeable, moving beyond caricatures to better understand each other’s humanity and heart.