The 2025 Great American Think-Off Essay Topic Is Announced

Absolutism versus relativism is the subject of the 2025 The Great American Think Off 750-words essay contest. As the question posed for this year's contest is "Is there only one truth, or are there many truths?" Those who submit an essay are not allowed to take a middle ground and must take one side or the other. With the deadline for submitting this year's essay being on April 01st, 2025.

The Great American Think-Off essay contest is an annual exhibition of civil disagreement between powerful ideas that impact an individual's daily life and society as a whole. Past topics over the years have included "Which is more dangerous: science or religion?", "Is the pen mightier than the sword?", "Does life have meaning?", and "Does God exist?"

The contest was begun in 1993 by the founder of the Cultural Center located in the rural farm and manufacturing town of New York Mills in Minnesota, John Davis. People of all ages and walks of life are allowed to enter The Great American Think-Off essay contest for a chance to win one of four $500 USD cash prizes and the chance to display their intellectual prowess in the live debate that is held each year on the second Saturday in June. Which for 2025 will be on June 14th. The winner of the live debate is determined by the vote of the audience.

Four writers are selected as finalists every year for The Great American Think-Off live debate. And the finalists for this year's contest will be announced on May 01st, 2025. The travel costs within the United States of the finalists and their food and lodging are covered by the Cultural Center. There is no fee for entering the essay contest. And participants can submit their essay online, by regular mail through the United States Postal Service, and via e-mail.

To submit the essays via e-mail, participants can e-mail their 750 words essay to info@think-off.org. To submit their essays via the postal service, participants can mail in their essays to Think-Off, ℅ Cultural Center, PO Box 246, New York Mills, MN 56567. And to submit their essays via the online form, participants can click here:Submit Your Essay | Cultural Center | Cultivating the Arts | New York Mills, Minnesota.

Luisa Reyes is an attorney in Tuscaloosa with a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Judson, a master's degree in library science, and a law degree from Samford's Cumberland School of Law. She is also a piano instructor and vocalist.