Once again, Nathan's at work and I have no one to bounce my thoughts off of. So, to the few who read this, once again I subject you to my musings.
I was talking to the rarest of creatures today...a Mormon Democrat. He mentioned that he was going to leave all LDS-related Facebook groups he is currently a member of because he is tired of being told to repent and being called an apostate based on his political beliefs. At that moment, I really had an epiphany-type moment.
I have been so frustrated lately with comments made by very liberal people about how conservatives like me must be racist. But I didn't really stop to think about the other side, especially when it comes to Mormons and politics. And I just grew very sad about how we (as human beings) feel the need to label everything and everyone. I wonder what has happened to healthy debate and discussion. I had a very nice conversation with this man. I don't agree with him at all, but we were able to discuss things like reasonable adults. Why can't we have more of this? I've thought before that it's because some of these issues are very emotional, but we were discussing some of the most volitile issues of the day! It's sad sometimes.
(Next post will be happy, I promise! All these depressing thoughts. You should all feel sorry for Nathan. Normally, I don't post these kinds of things because I'm able to get it out of my system by talking to him. We do have some good, thought-provoking conversations though...)
6 years ago
I think one of the reasons it feels like we can't have civil discussions instead of heated debates is the internet. People will say whatever they want, no matter how irrational or rude or downright cruel, because they have no face, and they don't know you.
ReplyDeleteBut, in the real world, you've got to be nice to this person, because they are right there in front of you. I know that I disagree politically with a great many people in this area (and, in fact, there are probably some things you and I don't agree on), but we're all still nice, real people, there's no need to yell and scream and get upset.
Of course, I avoid confrontation like the plague, which is also another solution :)