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This timely new book review was published today on the website of the Interpreter Foundation, where nothing new is ever published: \u00a0\u201cLearning Political Civility from Pahoran to Lincoln,\u201d<\/a> written by\u00a0Brian Warby<\/a><\/span><\/span>:<\/p>\n Review of Rodney Dieser, <\/em>Cease to Contend: Healing a Nation Through Christlike Civility in Politics (Springville, UT: Cedar Fort, 2025). 136 pp., $16.99 (paperback).<\/em><\/p>\n Abstract:<\/strong> In <\/em>Cease to Contend: Healing a Nation Through Christlike Civility in Politics, Rodney Dieser offers a timely and faith-centered response to the growing crisis of political polarization and incivility. Grounded in the Savior\u2019s admonition to avoid contention, Dieser draws from scripture, Church teachings, historical examples, and cognitive behavioral therapy to help readers recognize and overcome thought patterns that fuel division. This review explores the book\u2019s integration of gospel principles with therapeutic tools, highlighting the power of humility, empathy, and reframing as antidotes to anger and dehumanization in public discourse. By invoking figures such as Pahoran and Abraham Lincoln, the book provides both spiritual and practical models for engaging in political conversations with grace and restraint.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n One of the more depressing aspects of the past half-decade or so, for me anyway, has been the divisive and often highly unpleasant politicization of public health issues. \u00a0I\u2019ve made it rather clear on this blog that, on the whole, I\u2019m disinclined to see widespread conspiracies in the scientific and medical communities, and that, yes, I\u2019m serenely comfortable, unless I have very good reason to question them, with accepting the consensus views of medical experts. \u00a0I\u2019m not happy watching some of my people \u2014 conservatives, Latter-day Saints \u2014 slide into what sometimes seems to me the pitchfork-wielding anti-science party.<\/p>\n In support of my position, I called attention just a few days ago to the testimony that was recently given by the infectious disease specialist Dr. Jake Scott, of Stanford Medical School, to the U.S. Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigation. \u00a0(See \u201c\u2018Everyone Is Lying To You\u2019 (Except Me, Of Course).\u201d<\/a>)<\/p>\n My citation of Dr. Scott has been challenged by one of my readers, as follows:<\/p>\n Dr. Jake Scott is not the only expert with an opinion. In the MSNBC article he enumerates successes using traditional vaccines, implying that mRNA technology is safe and effective short and long term. That is a non sequitur.<\/p>\n There is not the slightest justification for thinking that this new technology has been thoroughly tested for short and long term safety and efficacy, especially considering the new data that continue to emerge. The science is not settled. It\u2019s odd how Dr. Jake Scott \u201ctrusts the science\u201d while also ignoring the science. And his arguments from authority and consensus are not science.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve observed a concerning trend where older men are experiencing symptoms consistent with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), a condition typically seen in young women. These symptoms appear to worsen with each COVID-19 booster shot. We need to continue to collect data on this condition as it can be incredibly debilitating.<\/i>\u201d \u2013Breanne Craven PA-C, 15 Sep 2025<\/p>\n Apparent risks of postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome diagnoses after COVID-19 vaccination and SARS-Cov-2 Infection<\/b> Genomic Integration and Molecular Dysregulation in Aggressive Stage IV <\/b>Bladder Cancer<\/b><\/u> Following COVID-19 mRNA Vaccination<\/b> Dr. John Campbell examines an Italian study that revealed a significant increase in bladder cancer<\/u>, among other cancers, after vaccination:<\/p>\n https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=3dnIGqUlluc<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n To which I replied:<\/p>\n \u201cDr. Jake Scott is not the only expert with an opinion.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n Of course not. But his opinion can\u2019t simply be brushed aside.<\/p>\n I\u2019m not prepared to debate this subject. I\u2019m also inclined to take medical science at face value and disinclined to conspiracy theories. If I\u2019m able, I\u2019ll try to recruit somebody with relevant expertise to evaluate your links and their implications (if any).<\/p><\/blockquote>\n My interlocutor answered with this:<\/p>\n \u201cBut his opinion can\u2019t simply be brushed aside.\u201d<\/i><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Agree, nor can the opinion of others be brushed aside. But in that House hearing Dr. Jake Scott exhibits the classic behavior of someone laboring under confirmation bias, cognitive dissonance, and belief perseverance. Signals from contradictory data do no[t[ faze him. He just repeats the Official Narrative, while proffering arguments from authority and consensus and personal anecdote.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n To which I answered with this:<\/p>\n \u201cDr. Jake Scott exhibits the classic behavior of someone laboring under confirmation bias, cognitive dissonance, and belief perseverance. Signals from contradictory data do no faze him. He just repeats the Official Narrative, while proffering arguments from authority and consensus and personal anecdote.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n Well, I hope that I can draw one or two subject experts in to see whether they\u2019ll agree with your judgment of him.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n I never attended medical school. \u00a0I never studied for a graduate degree in public health. \u00a0I know nothing of epidemiology or immunology or pharmacology. \u00a0I have neither the time nor the energy nor, frankly, sufficiently deep interest to attempt to master the relevant scientific and medical literature. \u00a0So, yes, I\u2019m making an absolutely undisguised interim appeal to authority. \u00a0Here are some links that I\u2019ve identified \u2014 I could easily have provided several dozen more, but these will suffice for now \u2014 affirming the safety and effectiveness of vaccination:<\/p>\n And here are a few more links to affirmations of the safety and efficacy of, specifically, the COVID-19 vaccines:<\/p>\n I\u2019m very serious in hoping that a person who can speak to this matter with genuine authority can help us out here.<\/p>\n Posted from Park City, Utah<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" \u00a0 This timely new book review was published today on the website of the Interpreter Foundation, where nothing new is ever published: \u00a0\u201cLearning Political Civility from Pahoran to Lincoln,\u201d written by\u00a0Brian Warby: Review of Rodney Dieser, Cease to Contend: Healing a Nation Through Christlike Civility in Politics (Springville, UT: Cedar Fort, 2025). 136 pp., $16.99 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1019,"featured_media":111083,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[11953,2905,788,38013,14432,11714],"class_list":["post-112913","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-division","tag-latter-day-saint","tag-mormon","tag-polarization","tag-vaccination","tag-vaccine"],"yoast_head":"\n<\/a>
\nhttps:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s44161-022-00177-8<\/a><\/p>\n
\nhttps:\/\/zenodo.org\/records\/17122912<\/a><\/p>\n\n
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