lisastoddardreeves
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How Fear-Driven Politics is Reshaping Courts and Elections
This was published in Utah News Dispatch and while it is Utah focused, it does relate to the political moment more broadly. Here’s an excerpt: “What we are watching in Utah is not new. It’s the state-level expression of a national… Continue reading
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The Sermon on the Mount and the LDS Divide
Immigration, Discipleship, and Moral Responsibility In “Divided by the Sermon on the Mount,” legal scholar David Skeel argues that contemporary public conflict is not merely political but theological, rooted in divergent interpretations of Jesus’ teachings in the Sermon on the… Continue reading
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The Rich Pay Most of the Taxes and Other Half Truths
From Faith to Free Markets, Part 2 By the 1980s, the fusion of theology and free market economies had matured into an article of political faith. Ronald Reagan’s famous line “Government is not the solution to our problem; government is… Continue reading
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“Illegal” May Not Mean What You Think
I first encountered the concept of disruptive empathy through the work of scholars Bashir and Goldberg, whose writing on peacebuilding emphasizes the moral necessity of humanizing those we are taught to fear or dismiss [1]. Disruptive empathy names the moment… Continue reading
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Seeing What We’re Part Of
Most of us genuinely want to do good. We see ourselves as caring, kind, informed, thoughtful and reasonable people. But good intentions alone do not prevent harm. In fact, without realizing it, we can participate in systems that cause harm… Continue reading
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From Faith to Free Markets, Part 1
The Christian Divide: How Old Theologies of Self-Reliance Became Modern Economic Dogma I sometimes think about my great-grandparents, proud and devout. They were the first generation eligible to draw Social Security. They refused. To them, accepting government help—even something they… Continue reading
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From Fear to Facts: Socialism and Narrative Construction
A recent Deseret News article reported that 51 percent of Utah Democrats view “socialism” favorably and that 70 percent view “democratic socialism” positively. The tone of the piece is clear: this trend is worrying, even dangerous, and likely the result… Continue reading
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Picture a Christmas
There is a sweet children’s song titled “Picture a Christmas.” Years ago, I created a Christmas experience for children the Sunday before Christmas. They would sing carols they had practiced for weeks, each child was given a small part to… Continue reading
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The Work of Angels: A Mother’s Reflection
Authors Note: “Angels” by Emma Nissen plays by default whenever I turn the ignition, a small ritual at the start of each drive. I first heard her perform a few years ago and was drawn to her voice and her… Continue reading
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How Not to Be Fooled by Statistics: Ten Rules for Seeing Clearly
We’re surrounded by statistics—charts, claims, and data points competing for our attention. Some inform us. Others manipulate us. Tim Harford’s book “The Data Detective” offers ten “rules” for thinking more clearly about numbers, claims, and headlines. Although these “rules” focus… Continue reading
The Little Stream: Where Soul Meets Society — Reflections on Well-Being, Religion, and Power 