Cooling political discussion is the goal

Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Cloquet is hosting an event later this month called “Respectful Conversations” that it says will focus “not on changing minds, but on softening hearts while discussing politics.”

The Respectful Conversations Project is a program of the Minnesota Council of Churches designed to strengthen civic life in Minnesota. “Congregations throughout Minnesota have hosted conversations that explore issues through the lens of deeply held convictions while maintaining, even enhancing, relationships among those who disagree,” a press release for the event said.

The discussion is 6-8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 28 at Our Savior’s. The congregation was chosen for the statewide project because it has been a “source of peace, cooling the heat of divisive conversations,” the release said.

“There is a way to talk about it all that feels open and honest,” said the Rev. Jerad Morey from the council. “You can actually be heard and learn about people with other perspectives.