| Everybody has opinions and it seems this is especially | | | | of opposing opinions start discussing politics or |
| true of politics and religion. Everywhere that two or | | | | religion, the sparks usually fly. Rather than having a |
| more people congregate, it is likely that a discussion | | | | mature discussion about the issues and valuing the |
| about politics or religion will ensue. So why are they | | | | obvious differences of opinion that each holds, the |
| two topics we should avoid discussing? | | | | discussion will often devolve into a passionate |
| It seems that above all other things that we humans | | | | argument about whose position is right. Even worse, |
| talk about, we relate most personally with our views | | | | each party will attempt to change the other's opinion, |
| about politics and religion. These two topics are at | | | | sometimes contending that they are lesser people |
| the foundation of who we believe we are as people. | | | | because of the opinions they hold. |
| If someone is charitable by nature, he or she will | | | | When these discussions take place in the workplace, |
| usually attribute that to religious upbringing. Likewise | | | | it can result in hard feelings and less than cooperative |
| when someone exhibits fiscally conservative | | | | coworkers. When it happens within families where |
| tendencies or when someone is an activist for social | | | | the filters are off in many cases, the sparks can |
| equality, these traits are usually rooted in their political | | | | really fly. |
| views. In other words, people identify at a deep level | | | | I have adopted the policy of never discussing politics |
| with their religious and political views. They believe | | | | or religion. When asked directly why I refuse to |
| that their views on the subjects are a window into | | | | discuss it, I will usually answer that I like to keep |
| who they are as people. | | | | personal matters and opinions personal. Everyone is |
| Now when two people of similar views enter into | | | | happier for it and I have been able to keep many |
| political or religious discussions, they support each | | | | friends whom I know hold different political and |
| other's positions and cite examples of why their | | | | religious views than I do. |
| positions are right and true. However, when people | | | | |