slatten49 Loc: Lake Whitney, Texas

In large part from Quora's Andrew Weill, with generous modifications by me.

Conservatives and liberals often believe that the other are stupid people with bad ideas or are bad people with stupid ideas.

I have thought many times about this. I have worked with lots of both...many are close friends. Neither, as a given, are bad people with stupid ideas or stupid people with bad ideas. Many, if not most of them, are rather good people with whom I share large areas of agreement and with whom I have some differences of opinion at times. There are some issues where my initial views were modified (sometimes substantially) by persuasive arguments from another.

Interestingly, one example is my attitude toward same-sex marriage. I had been in the camp that civil unions were sufficient to address the issue. An acquaintance took me to task and convinced me that my view was no different from “separate but equal” racial discrimination.

Here’s a basic notion, and I want readers to try it on: There are people who hold different views that are just as worthy of consideration as mine/yours.

Try saying this aloud a few times. If you feel resistance, that’s fine, but listen to the nature of your resistance and try to pinpoint it.

Certainly, there are some extreme views that I find repugnant. But most liberals and conservatives I know share my repugnance. Yet, they may see the issue differently, and it behooves us all to give all a fair hearing.

I’m not saintly on this issue, believe me. But I work at it. If nothing else, my efforts to converse respectfully lead to identification of places of agreement and understanding of the reasons for the divergence of views.

Here’s my invitation: Next time you’re inclined to an argument, pretend that the person you’re talking to may have an important lesson in life for you, if only you’re clever enough to elicit it.

You may be surprised by the results.

Or, perhaps not.

Strycker Loc: The middle of somewhere else.

A fair and well reasoned perspective.

What is your view as far as there are many words in the english language that have multiple meanings and uses. Is the meaning of the word marriage viewed as a faith based union with the religious implications attached to it, or, is marriage a legally based union with only the legal implications attached to it? The only argument is the viewpoint of the meaning of a word. That being religious or legal. Which side defines and applies of the word? Religion or government?

WEBCO

Problem is "marriage" is a religious ceremony to cement a civil union. Most churches still view homosexuality as an a*********n. You can't force a church to perform a marriage, you must ask.

F.D.R.

Reasonable and thoughtful. I realized somewhere around 12 years old that it's a complete waste of time and energy to argue and if a discussion reaches a fever pitch I walk away, and for your sake don't pursue it. I'm willing to listen to any explanation or debate an issue and I've learned a lot by doing so. As far as the issue of same sex marriage, I don't care who marries who or even what. On another hot topic, as an old man I think a******n should remain legal. When I look around at the state of this country I think the case has been made. If you oppose a******n all you have to do is step up and accept responsibility and save that child. Lord knows I'm in no position to make moral judgments.

RascalRiley Loc: Somewhere south of Detroit

Conservatives and liberals often believe that the other are stupid people with bad ideas or are bad people with stupid ideas.

I have been referred to as stupid in so many ways, every time I come on OPP. An imbecile for not appreciating Trump’s policies. And a few times for not trashing FJBs

Two presidents in a row that have less than half of Americas on their side. Actually more, there are many who like neither. There are liberals who think FJB’s handlers are not reacting quickly enough. Infighting causes delay.

Who was the last president who was popular?

https://www.usnews.com/news/national-news/slideshows/these-are-americas-most-popular-recent-presidents-ranked

Kennedy and Reagan. Opposite parties. And a long time ago.
One man’s opinion who probably did some research.

WEBCO

Kennedy and Reagan did come from opposite parties, yet had the same views/demeanor. Both loved this country and both were smart enough to fear a the government.

Telling how far left the left has gone that JFK would be a Republican. I do like how you admitted that Biden has "Handlers" it's just too bad that Joe has no idea how much damage he's doing to America and the world, all do to his unelected/in the shadows "Handlers"

RascalRiley Loc: Somewhere south of Detroit

Like republicans, if in control could make cities safe and balance the budget. Corruption would still abound.

EmilyD

Wouldn't it be nicer if women used non-a******n birth control, though?

In my opinion, it's a win-win for both the mother and the baby (that would not exist).

I don't understand why people want to push a******n, when there are a lot of other ways they can push for the mother not to get pregnant in the first place.

The amount of times a mother's life is in danger with a******n is very rare....about 1% of all a******ns.

If she uses non-a******n birth control, all of the reasons why a woman has an a******n on the chart below would go away except for rape and incest, which would not be avoidable with any kind of birth control....

https://www.hli.org/resources/a******n-to-save-life-of-mother/

...

RascalRiley Loc: Somewhere south of Detroit

This is right wing spin. Telling how far left the left has gone that JFK would be a Republican. He was charismatic. How he would position himself now is speculation, not fact.

Parky60 Loc: People's Republic of Illinois

slatten wrote: Interestingly, one example is my attitude toward same-sex marriage. I had been in the camp that civil unions were sufficient to address the issue. An acquaintance took me to task and convinced me that my view was no different from “separate but equal” racial discrimination.

Here’s a basic notion, and I want readers to try it on: There are people who hold different views that are just as worthy of consideration as mine/yours.

Parky's reply: There are times when people who hold different views are just as worthy of consideration as mine/yours. In the case of same-sex marriage this isn’t one of them. Am I supposed to follow man’s view or God’s view? Here’s God’s view… being a follower of Jesus Christ I think I’ll go with Him and inherit the kingdom of God.

Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate (t***slated as the passive participant in a homosexual act), nor homosexuals (t***slated as the active participant in a homosexual act), nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. 1 Corinthians 6:9-10

It's time to get off the fence slatten.

RascalRiley Loc: Somewhere south of Detroit

Is this Earth’s God or the God of an immense universe, so immense that we can not fathom its size or complexities.

RascalRiley Loc: Somewhere south of Detroit

Here’s my invitation: Next time you’re inclined to an argument, pretend that the person you’re talking to may have an important lesson in life for you, if only you’re clever enough to elicit it.

This is a tall order. Someone wrote, if you have not changed an opinion on something important for a while, pinch yourself, you might be dead.

It is becoming aware. I am becoming aware of the problems created by social assistance. Some are in need. Many are not.

BIRDMAN

Me to

RascalRiley Loc: Somewhere south of Detroit

It ain’t reading writing and arithmetic anymore. The don’t even teach cursive here anymore.

WEBCO

No, that is my opinion, based on knowledge of both. One difference being...Reagan earned his money legitimately, the Kennedy family were crooks. Some were also corrupt, like Ted, who literally got away with murder. I love to explain to regressives that Ted's car has still k**led more people than my legally owned guns have.