From 13 Reasons Why to S-Town, the topic of suicide is fast becoming a mainstay in popular culture. 13 Reasons Why offers a particularly robust challenge to the carefree individualism that frequently characterizes our thinking. But why are we so preoccupied with self-destruction in the first place? After all, we’re healthier, more connected, and more comfortable than we’ve ever been. Why does our cultural moment seem so very sad? We’ll explore these vexing question in this three-part series. Please don’t hold the long title against me.

Is Opting Out an Option? Hope Beyond the Narrow Confines of the Self, Part 1: The Dangers of Comfort

Hosted by RZIM apologist Cameron McAllister, Vital Signs is an exploration of the major cultural ideas, issues, and works of art that are shaping current conversations. It's not just a place to learn how to be culturally informed; it's a place to learn what's worth celebrating in contemporary life. If guarding what you pay attention to is a way of guarding the integrity of your thought, then Vital Signs aims to show you what's worth your attention, as well as what's worth talking about.

Religion & Spirituality

Other

Spirituality

Christianity

Buddhism

Hinduism

Judaism

Islam

It is certainly not news that our public discourse has grown increasingly hostile. Consequently, there has been a lot of focus on how we vilify our opponents. However, what happens to us when we vilify others? What are the spiritual consequences for this new national pastime? In this six-part series, we'll focus on what our "villainizing" habit does to us. Today, in part five of six, Cameron looks at how villainizing creates idols. Follow Cameron on Twitter:@CamMcAllister7

The Double-Edged Sword of Vilification, Pt. 5

It is certainly not news that our public discourse has grown increasingly hostile. Consequently, there has been a lot of focus on how we vilify our opponents. However, what happens to us when we vilify others? What are the spiritual consequences for this new national pastime? In this six-part series, we'll focus on what our "villainizing" habit does to us. Today, in part four of six, Cameron shows how villainizing caters to our worst fantasies. Follow Cameron on Twitter:@CamMcAllister7

The Double-Edged Sword of Vilification, Pt. 4

It is certainly not news that our public discourse has grown increasingly hostile. Consequently, there has been a lot of focus on how we vilify our opponents. However, what happens to us when we vilify others? What are the spiritual consequences for this new national pastime? In this six-part series, we'll focus on what our "villainizing" habit does to us. Today, in part three of six, Cameron examines the damage that villainizing does to our understanding of God. Follow Cameron on Twitter:@CamMcAllister7

The Double-Edged Sword of Vilification, Pt. 3

It is certainly not news that our public discourse has grown increasingly hostile. Consequently, there has been a lot of focus on how we vilify our opponents. However, what happens to us when we vilify others? What are the spiritual consequences of this new national pastime? In this six-part series, we'll focus on what our "villainizing" habit does to us. Today, in part two of six, Cameron explores how villainizing destroys our understanding of what it means to be a neighbor. Follow Cameron on Twitter:@CamMcAllister7

The Double-Edged Sword of Vilification, Pt. 2

It is certainly not news that our public discourse has grown increasingly hostile. Consequently, there has been a lot of focus on how we vilify our opponents. However, what happens to us when we vilify others? What are the spiritual consequences for this new national pastime? In this six-part series, we'll focus on what our "villainizing" habit does to us. Today, in part one, we'll explore how villainizing destroys our sense of truth. Follow Cameron on Twitter:@CamMcAllister7

Is Opting Out an Option? Hope Beyond the Narrow Confines of the Self, Part 1: The Dangers of Comfort

Download our free app to listen on your phone