In a society torn by culture wars, how can citizens support bridge-building and peacemaking? Thomas B. Griffith, Wheatley Fellow and former federal judge, sat down with journalist McKay Coppins on the Deseret Voices podcast to explore the power of pluralism, the Constitution, and religious liberty.
The two men began by reviewing President Oaks' speech at the National Cathedral. "From my perspective as a lawyer and as a judge," Griffith said, "what really struck me is [President Oaks] begins the talk by citing to the work of Yuval Levin... and making the point that the primary purpose of the Constitution, the most fundamental purpose of the Constitution, is that it provides a structure of government that shows us how to work together when we disagree... He said it compels people to sit down, listen to each other, and try and find some common ground." This idea was new to Griffith. "I had always thought that the two primary purposes of the Constitution were: one, to protect my rights— freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of the press— and then two, to create a structure of government of separated powers that provided checks and balances. And those are both true. But what President Oaks is saying is there's something even more fundamental."
Griffith and McKay went on to discuss several powerful examples of peacemaking in American history, as well as practical ways citizens can build bridges in their own lives. "Pluralism is our superpower. That's America's superpower," Griffith put forward. "We're trying to do something that's never been done before. Maybe it can't be done, but we're trying it, and that is to create a democratic republic on a continental scale filled with all sorts of people who have all sorts of different views. That's our project. Come help us do that."
Listen to the full episode on Youtube or Apple Podcasts.