My name is Steve Mathis. I created this website because I believe some of the most important conversations are also the ones people are often afraid to have. Topics such as race, poverty, policing, politics, faith, and culture can quickly become emotional, and too often they become personal attacks instead of opportunities to learn from one another.
This blog began during the COVID-19 pandemic. At the time, it seemed like our society was becoming increasingly divided and it hasn’t improved in the subsequent years. People who disagreed are often viewed as enemies rather than neighbors. I wanted to see if it was possible to discuss difficult issues in a way that was thoughtful, respectful, and compassionate—even when strong disagreements existed.
Since then, I’ve found a number of voices that do an excellent job of having these kinds of discussions, and I’m grateful for their example.
My wife once asked me why I chose to write about controversial topics. The answer is simple: this blog has been both a learning experience and a personal challenge
I enjoy researching complex issues from multiple perspectives. I don’t claim to have all the answers (not even close), but I believe that careful research, honest questions, and respectful dialogue are far more productive than insults or assumptions. I’ve never been comfortable pretending the “elephant in the room” doesn’t exist. At the same time, I don’t believe discussing difficult issues requires attacking the elephant—or its caretakers.
My goal isn’t to win arguments. It is to better understand the issues, encourage thoughtful conversation, and hopefully help others consider viewpoints they may not have encountered before.
As a Christ follower, my faith influences the way I try to approach these discussions. While readers may not always agree with my conclusions, I hope they will find that every article is written with sincerity, compassion, and a genuine desire to seek truth rather than score points.
If you choose to spend time reading these articles, I ask only one thing: approach them with the same respect and openness that I have tried to bring to writing them. Over the last few years, I’ve also learned a great deal as a moderator of two In-N-Out Facebook groups. Even discussions about something as simple as hamburgers can become surprisingly heated. As an ardent In-N-Out fan, you may be surprised to hear me say there is no such thing as “the best burger”—only the burger each of us enjoys the most.
Some issues are more like solving a math problem. When the facts are accurate and the reasoning is sound, the conclusion ought to be the same regardless of who examines it. Other issues are more nuanced, where honest and thoughtful people may weigh the evidence differently.
I hope you find these articles interesting, informative, and worth your time. Whether you agree with my conclusions or not, I hope you’ll find they were written with sincerity, respect, and a genuine desire to understand the issues.
— Steve Mathis