So you're off to the BBQ, a gathering of friends and family, maybe a wedding reception now mostly folk can talk about most subjects, but why are Religion & Politics regarded as social leprosy? I think things aren't nearly as bad as they were (in some circles perhaps) as they were several decades ago but those 2 subjects were promoted as taboos by self proclaimed social advancement advisors.
Actually I think in the last few years we've seen more conversations about politics than say religion but what is actually wrong about discussed either or both? Well I think its peoples easy take up of the "lets-water-it-all-down & be-safe" attitude which seems to be joined at the hip with political correctness where we have to be all inclusive, accept everyone's point of view and kind of keep ours to ourselves. Seems peace is a peace of piss weak smiling and saying little or nothing unless its a safe subject. Yep water it down, allow everything in and stand firmly but respectful for nothing...go with the flow.
What rubbish. What actually is wrong with having an opinion, expressing it if you think it needs sharing? What's wrong with thinking and assessing a topic, make a discerning and hopefully informed decision on something and steadfast standing up for it without being aggressive? Is that so hard?
If the topic comes up of gay marriage, how do we get anywhere if both sides of that debate were silent for fear of being politically incorrect? If both sides were bland beige smiley people who say nothing for fear of upsetting someone, how will any society advance? Is it not possible for both sides to have a say, without calling the other side intolerant and without being intolerant themselves? Some people oppose the idea, good on them, some support the idea so good on them too. Good on both of them for actually assessing things and actually having an opinion. Seems the last couple of decades we in the west were plagues by all these x.y.z generations well amongst them was the "whatever" set who didn't seem to be passionate about anything. They didn't have many opinions at all much further than weekend social activities, music videos and...well for some that's was as far as it stretched.
Like it or not, religion and politics have shaped our various national identities since day one. If you box up your political and religious worldviews, hide them and try to remain worldview neutered when discussing issues of the day, well you're already beaten and the nation is cheated from proper discourse.
Always thought it was funny when folk say they pulled out of "that club" or group because it was "too political"...when generally its a smokescreen and code for "I didn't get my way, I had to go with the group majority". We have structures in place, we follow governance principles. I think this has caused some negative views of the topic of politics. Religion...what's the big deal, is there so much to be afraid of we need to dilute it all to base fluid of not much so as not to offend someone? Some presents for example a Christian worldview on any given topic and sometimes you get a reply from an opposing worldview person "No Way, I find that offensive" - what they're really telling you is, I find the idea of someone sharing a differing view offensive, forget the fact it may be better (or worse) its not my view and we need to shut them down. Offensive behaviour, well I think we can all list things that are offensive, but having and sharing a differing view shouldn't be one of them. If you have a different view to me, that for my mind is not an offence.
Strange that some people can kill and die for a principle, because they find that easier than to live by that principle. FWIW I have views on capital punishment, abortion, gay marriage and a range of other socially volatile topics and I'm guilty of not take part in such discussions quite often too, however I have friends of differing views and the friendship is neither lessened nor heightened by comparing their stance with mine.
I think religion and politics are taboo and we warn people they're off limits when we know in that setting there's folk who'll argue rather than debate. When blood pressure rises and pulse race a little instead of threshing out issues and learning. That and some people are frightened what they might learn. Frightened they're stuffing up and like the comfortable and warm cloak of apathy and ignorance. Some are frightened their view might be challenged, they might come unstuck challenging someone else's view or far, far worse, they may end up challenging their own thinking
Now soon enough I'll get a comment and someone will ask, "wow you finally made a post not mentioning Live Animal Export, how come?" Well perhaps I'll make that the quirk, the words "live export" have to be in every post, even if its not relevant. I see some folk who qualify for the fanatic status "Fanatics can't change their mind, nor the subject" so I'll have to be wary. Should add there have been times when a contentious issue has arisen and I decided to then subscribe to the old saying "Quickest way to tell a fool he's wrong is just tell him he's right"
Maybe time to split this into finer points and go deeper :-)
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