Talking About Good and Bad Without Getting Ugly: A Guide to Moral Persuasion

Abortion. Gay marriage. Euthanasia. How do we talk about these issues in a pluralistic society? The truth is that we often avoid such conversations in order not to offend others or appear "intolerant." But in doing so, we miss out on opportunities to influence others' views and make a real difference in the world. In Talking About Good and Bad Without Getting Ugly, Paul Chamberlain offers a way out of this dilemma. Drawing on his years of experience as a teacher of apologetics and ethics, Chamberlain leads us through the maze of obstacles we often encounter when trying to discuss moral matters. Combining keen insight with practical wisdom, he squarely confronts the reality of our culture's moral relativism, notions about "tolerance," fascination with new technologies and other challenges to moral discourse. Through helpful illustrations and sample conversations, he uncovers the real issues that lie behind these obstacles, and he offers practical strategies for getting past them without "getting ugly."