When I was younger, I thought I had to defend God. I assumed life’s most difficult questions —why bad things happen to good people, where the universe came from, etc.— … Continue reading Defending God
Tag: argument
What about Whataboutism?
Over the past few weeks, members of the Exvangelical movement have been sharing their often-brutal experiences in private Christian schools with the hashtag #ExposeChristianSchools. Like so much of the Exvangelical … Continue reading What about Whataboutism?
The Hymn of Faith
Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Rahab, Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel— according to the author of Hebrews, these figures all share a defining characteristic: faith. … Continue reading The Hymn of Faith
How to Argue: Final Thoughts
We’ve covered a lot of ground this past week, but there were some stray thoughts that didn’t quite fit into any one category. I’ve gathered them here.
How to Argue: Gatekeeping
Gatekeeping is the practice of controlling what information gets out to the general public. However, in an age where we can choose our own news, who are the real gatekeepers, and what (or who) is being kept out?
How to Argue: Lying with Statistics
Numbers always tell the truth, but the people who use them don’t. Here’s how misapplication of statistics has shaped the debate surrounding Black Lives Matter, the NFL, and the national anthem.
How to Argue: Personal Attacks and Straw Men
Ever felt like someone was talking past you? Ever realized the person you were talking to was only familiar with the most extreme version of your views? Tired of discussions devolving into personal jabs? The NFL debate and the Black Lives Matter debate are an interesting test case here.
How to Argue: Difficult Definitions
Words often carry different meanings to different people. The NFL national anthem debate may hinge on how you define a few “simple” words.
How to Argue: Analyzing Arguments about Kaepernick
Every argument boils down to two basic parts, but there’s a third unstated portion that can create a lot of issues.
How to Argue: the NFL, Colin Kaepernick, and the National Anthem
I’ve been teaching argument professionally for a while now, and it’s made me the most annoying Facebook friend ever. There’s a lot of misinformation and confusion surrounding the NFL right now, so le’ts break it down. (Part 1 of 7)