There’s a rule to living which is so valued that it’s called the Golden Rule. I’m sure most of you have heard of it before, but if not, this Golden Rule says to treat others as you would want to be treated.
While I’ve never heard anyone take exception to this rule, I do see a lot of people who don’t follow it when it could benefit them most; when they are trying to convince people to think as they do.
I enjoy debating and discussing current issues, but it is really frustrating to me when someone changes a discussion into a fight by throwing out insults and taking ideological differences for personal attacks.
There is so much to be gained from conversing honestly and intelligently with people who have an opposite viewpoint, but people who dissolve into angry insults miss out on the whole benefit of the discussion.
Sometimes I think people don’t want to discuss their views because they don’t have real reasons behind them and that makes them become defensive. I’ll be the first to admit I have some beliefs for which some people would claim I have no rational basis. But those are the beliefs that I benefit most from discussing, because it helps me correct my beliefs or better understand my reasons.
Sure there are people who refuse to be convinced and cling to their irrational beliefs after they’ve heard substantial evidence to the contrary, but it’s still incredibly interesting to me to hear someone who has convinced him — or herself of something wholly unsupportable.
This issue of improper debate is especially prevalent when it comes to the issues which are most important to all of us, such as God, life, politics, etc. While it’s difficult to keep calm when someone is challenging your deepest beliefs, there is nothing to be gained by forgetting to practice the Golden Rule.
No one will ever be converted by Brickyard radicals who condemn everyone as homosexuals; people won’t change their minds about a political candidate because someone tells them their choice has “thunder thighs.” It just becomes counterproductive.
There are a lot of great reasons to be a Christian, just like there are a lot of great reasons not to vote for Hillary Clinton for president, but alienating those you are trying to convince is the worst possible thing you could do and only convinces your opposition that you are wrong.
If you are looking for conversions — instead of more negative attention — then try sincerity and kindness. As I recall, Jesus embraced sinners. And if you are looking to change someone’s political viewpoint, discuss issues, not the size of a politician’s legs. As far as I’ve heard, no studies have conclusively correlated good looks to good governing.
Obviously it’s part of the beauty of the freedom we enjoy as Americans that if you want to choose your beliefs based on unreasonable hate you can. But does it really do your cause any good if your main arguments are insults rather than reasons?
I doubt it.
Do you practice the Golden Rule while discussing issues? Tell us if you do at [email protected].