How often do you debate religion in real life? [Spirituality & Religion]

@indyjoe Why do people equate debating with arguing? Or attacking?

@sumojumo I don't necessarily equate them...they can and often are separate things. But way too often if someone doesn't just come out with a flat out attack, debating can and does lead to arguing (I've seen it way too many times). Religion and politics are two subjects that are best kept private and not discussed.

@indyjoe I see where you are coming from, that is definitely currently true. But maybe people are so tense when it comes to discussing their religion and politics because they rarely do it. If all of those ideas just stay in their heads, than once they get challenged on an issue, they can become aggressive. Simply because they are not used to expose and talk about different viewpoints.

So is it possible that if people brought their ideas more into the public space, better ideas would prevail, and people would be less aggressive about ideas and more enthusiastic about humanity?

@sumojumo I don't think so. Political and religious/spiritual views are intensely personal and people don't accept others' ideas very well. It's sad but that's just how it is (the middle East has been at war for thousands of years over religious differences). I for one don't mind hearing different beliefs on the issue (even if I don't agree)...but I have too often found that others are not as willing to hear mine (they always try to debate just how 'wrong' I am and can't just accept that mine are different than theirs). I do not always agree with others and I do not expect them to always agree with me...but unfortunately not everyone feels that way. Politics and religion are the two main issues where people just have to be "right".

@indyjoe Of course I have to agree with you. I think we are talking from two different standpoints. You are describing the situation as it currently is (unfortunately), but I am trying to think about a more optimal scenario. If most of the people were educated from their childhood to be less attached to these ideas the aggression would be a far smaller problem. That is why I would like to encourage people to discuss these things more. The keyword here is of course DISCUSS, not just tell other people your viewpoint. And I know this might sound idealistic, but I have seen people change drastically as soon as they change their "attack position" for a "listening position".

@sumojumo That IS the point I was making...discussion has been on the table for a long time (since the beginning actually) and it has not been taken advantage of nor has it worked. Why? Human nature. Plain and simple. Everyone has to be in agreement with what you are saying and put it into action as well...that hasn't happened and is not happening. I'm not being pessimistic, I'm being realistic

@indyjoe Well, then I am staying very optimistic, I can't help myself. I think that we can overcome that part of human nature with careful education. I have seen great changes in people that stubbornly defended their beliefs, and I think we can generalize some friendly approaches to do the same for everyone. I know I might be an idealist, but I simply refuse to give up on this noble goal.