From Kate Shellnutt: I was at a dinner party over the summer where the host pulled out a game called Unpopular Opinions. Each card had a divisive statement, and the group had to take sides and make their case. I was thinking it would be lighthearted, like “Pineapple doesn’t belong on pizza.” Instead, the first card read, “The government should mandate vaccines.” The game was funny but often uncomfortable, even when playing with a group of friends, all from the same church, who’ve known each other for years.
 
Perhaps Seth Freeman, the professor of conflict management who wrote today’s piece, would say it was a good exercise for us. If we can’t navigate disagreement with our fellow church members, friends, and spouses, how are we going to have higher-stakes dialogue over morality and politics and God with those outside the church?
 
The game made me realize that I overestimate my ability to disagree well, usually defaulting to silence over debate. (I’m used to keeping certain political leanings close as part of my job as a journalist, and I’ve seen enough bad-faith discussions on social media that I tell myself it’s easier to stay out of it.) And Freeman’s piece reminded me that it’s not enough to want to see peacemaking and bridge-building happen in our world—we have to practice it ourselves.