Our viewpoints on politics and religion speak volumes on who we are and where we live. Not a geographical location, but rather where we fit in the global society. Although there are as many religions as there are forms of government, most are comparable as we all want the same basic things out of each: guidance, security, and a promise of a better tomorrow.
Disagree. Why not discuss religion or politics? Is truth, some souls get bent and angry, but there would be no lead in for it if the topics were discussed with an open mind.
Years passing, I was friends with a family whose lives revolved around their religious beliefs. The mother and wife to this family was a gentle woman who fired her religious energy outward as others would expel a sneeze. Something during an interaction would agitate her delicately balanced world and she would suddenly speak like an evangelist. Some folks believed her to be a religious nut; other considered her strange all around. After a few conversations, I came to think that her life was not a happy one. Her religious beliefs were the stabilizers in her life. If something was said that countered her beliefs, she was shaken to the very foundation of her existence. It wasn’t impossible to discuss religion with this person; one only needed to keep the conversation from becoming accusatory or hostile. Respect the differences and understand where the foundation of the others belief is. When discussing religion with people who believe differently than yourself, you open yourself to an understanding of those other religions.
While religion reflects our lives on a deeply personal level, our political views tend to reflect our lives at the public level. Last election seemed to be a bad time to discuss politics. There are so many people struggling financially who are looking for someone to blame; they usually blame the government. When there is an ongoing discussion of politics and someone speaks the words: I never discuss religion or politics, my first thought is “that person is hiding something.” If I don’t know the person, I leave the comment go by me. I do not feel a need to get to know someone who flies that banner. If it is someone I already know, I likely know what issues they are avoiding. If someone doesn’t want to speak on politics, I never push the issue with them. I do wonder, however, if political issues are never discussed, then how does one filter out the truth. Because something is reported on the news, printed in the paper, or flashed across the internet does not make it truth. I believe it to be a bad thing to attack the views and opinions of other people; I do not consider it bad to ask questions about those beliefs. When attacked the other person is compelled to defend. However, when asked valid questions they are offered an opportunity to explore their own beliefs and understandings regarding the issue.
Avoiding conversations on important issues is not so much politeness as it is a lacking in prowess in dealing with controversy.
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Respect is a good way to put it, sha’. One has to be respectful on other people’s view.
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