"Politics, sex and religion. Why was it we can't discuss them?"

Everyday I am confronted with new raw important issues related to Politics, Sex, and religion. And I am constantly reminded as I try to discuss these with my fellow man that I should keep my opinions to myself. I revel in an oppurtunity to debate, and yes occasionaly I might compare our vice-presidint to some sort of Darth Vader/Terminator hybrid I am generally kind to those opposing me. The only thing that gets me to fly off the handle is when people decalre "I am done discussing this" when we clearly were not, or if someone asks me to be blind to my own senses.

My wife and a few close friends enjoy debating with me and we all are better for it and more comfortable in our opinions now that we have discussed them. My coworker that I debate with is diametrically opposed to me on almost all issues, but our discussion (sometimes heated, but never insulting) only give us greater respect for each other. Without these discussion I would probably never be a friend with someone like him but with them I find we are quite close, and our differences pale before out shared humanity.

The ancient greeks and romans valued debate and oratory, but that seems lost on modern america.

Most people would blame our modern PC culture but I feel that our educational system fails to promote critical thinking. Generations of people raised to spit back what they read for standardized tests. Nothing so shook me growing up as speech class, but looking back I see it as one of the most valuable. People meander through their daily lives with such as weak grasp on social issues, that when challenged they fear that their worldview will fall like a house of cards.

People have dogmatic views of these topics but very few have any legitiate support for them. They have been told to believe them by political pundits and religious zealots, covinced more by peer-pressure and bigotry than personal passions or logic.

I think everyone would do themselves a service to discuss these issues as often as possible. Even if you never change your mind, or anyone else's, you will know why you believe.

Fortuneately the internet is allowing for millions more to find their voice. I can only hope this diversity in ideas can prevent an apocolypse of complacency and ignorance, and provide a more just and responsible society for my children.

In polite company, it is appropriate to talke about descriptive or factual topics, like the weather, your job, or your kids/family. Those are not very controversial.

 

Sex and religion and politics have judgements interwoven with them. They define us at a much deeper level than what we do for a living or what the weather is like outside. Religion determines what is right and wrong. Sex is taboo in all but a monogomous married environment and indirect judgement is passed on those who violate that taboo. Politics is the effort to impose the will of the majority on the minority.

 

Revealing how you feel about any of these can wipe out previous opinions about you. You may be held in high standing in society, until it is found out that you are sleeping around, or you take an unpopulare political stand. You not only place your beliefs out in public for comment and ridicule, but you also indirectly strike at those who believe something different.

 

For some reason, humans take different opinions about these subjects as a personal attack on themselves at first. Unless a requirement is established at the begining of the conversation to remain calm and uninsulted during the discussion, the discussion usually degrades into hurt feelings or worse. Even then, constant reminders are needed so that statements of opinion will not be taken as personal insults.

 

Inteligent and rational people can discuse these topics calmly, and agree to disagree, but that is a rare combination in the world today. Most people are missing one if not both of these traits. Online, there is very little encouragement to act in a civil matter toward one another, so behavior on Askville should not be the yardstick for these discussions.

 

I can discuss these topics calmly without being insulted, but I avoid them with all but my closest acquaintances since I do not know if others can do the same.

 

I hope this helps.

those are hot button issues that many people's opinions vary greatly and are thus avoided to avoid offense. it has long been considered respectful, and polite to not offend people needlessly.

i know this seems like the easiest answer, but, it is still true.

And it is too bad you don't want to be polite.  That does elicit more credible responses from those who disagree with you on issues.

 

But yes, we people discuss these things outside of Askville! 

 

There are some areas it is not hard to agree to disagree on, and other areas where right and wrong are simply not a matter of personal opinion.