Non-Partisan history is more interesting.
Posted: Tue Dec 05, 2023 8:48 am
Being a history buff, I pay special attention to other history buffs. We are weird, nerdy, and often snobbish. We are also often partisan to a particular view.
Civil War history buffs can be interesting, but if they are partisan to one side or the other, they can also be a pain in the tush. A Southerner who idolizes Robert E. Lee or a Northerner who idolizes Lincoln (this is me on occasion) or Grant, sometimes take offense and spoils an otherwise thoughtful discussion.
Mormon History buffs are even more often partisans. I'm disaffected and admittedly biased. But the less partisan we can be, the more interesting and, in my opinion, productive we are. Insights and better understanding can result from both sides if we listen with intent to understand, rather than just reply, or "win" a discussion.
This is difficult with an emotional topic like religion, but I think trying to do it can make our lives, and our world, better.
Civil War history buffs can be interesting, but if they are partisan to one side or the other, they can also be a pain in the tush. A Southerner who idolizes Robert E. Lee or a Northerner who idolizes Lincoln (this is me on occasion) or Grant, sometimes take offense and spoils an otherwise thoughtful discussion.
Mormon History buffs are even more often partisans. I'm disaffected and admittedly biased. But the less partisan we can be, the more interesting and, in my opinion, productive we are. Insights and better understanding can result from both sides if we listen with intent to understand, rather than just reply, or "win" a discussion.
This is difficult with an emotional topic like religion, but I think trying to do it can make our lives, and our world, better.