robstradamus

One thing we all need to remember when arguing things like politics or religion or international affairs is that, with few exceptions, we don't know what we're talking about. And the primary reason we don't know what we're talking about is because we simply don't have all the information. Unless you're brilliant and you've dedicated your life's work to the study of politics or international affairs you know very little. You don't know the history, the strategies, the landscape, the motivations, secret relations and backroom deals.

The reason we don't know what we're talking about regarding religion is that its unknowable. There is no one living who knows the truth. You're not dead, right?

So we don't have all the information, what are we left with? A few facts (which are questionable) and an opinion. The same thing the other guy's got. And the facts you rely on were given to you by someone whose identity and very livelihood depends on you agreeing with them. Practically all discourse about such matters is based on mis-information and ill-informed opinions.

And the things to remember when arguing your ill informed opinion as if your very life depends on it are:

1) The person across from you believes they are as noble as righteous and as well intended in their cause as you do.

2) The person across from you believes they are correct in their opinion as strongly as you do.

3) The person across from you, with whom you disagree on everything, is right in their opinion about this issue as often you are, which is to say, not much.

Remember folks, as always, the Truth is in the middle.