Quote:
Originally Posted by TheVillageChicken
The point of argument is to convince or persuade. No one on either side is going to experience an epiphanic moment while sipping their coffee and reading this thread. The dogma on both sides is too powerful.
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Your point is well taken and it reminds me of a situation I was in a number of years ago. I am politically very conservative and had a good friend who was just as passionate as I, except he was a liberal. Our discussions were often times a gathering place for the entertainment of others. We finally had to cease those discussions because he ended up getting very angry when he could no longer defend his positions. So as “they” say in religion and politics, there is no winning. When there are intractable views on either side, a debate (or discussion) could very well sink into an argument where nothing is being accomplished except to anger the party whose position seems indefensible. Once that happens nothing is being accomplished except to farther divide us from each other. (There is too much of that presently being done purposefully in Washington).
The conscious reason for my topics is to share thoughts, beliefs and feelings with others who have similar and even those with opposite views. I think a lively debate/discussion is good for all involved. As long as communication is taking place something is being accomplished, whether that be a changing of heart or mind, or at a minimum some thought provoking exchanges. None of us live on an island. We are all a part of something much larger.