When was the last time you had a civilized political/religious discussion?

[Jedisolo75]

It's hard to find one. Everyone in the world seems to either have a seizure every time someone says happy holidays (as opposed to merry Christmas) and screaming at the top of their lungs that man on hamster sex is an inalienable human right that should be taught to kindergarteners in health class.

Either no Church has ever done anything wrong, EVER, or no religion has ever done a good thing in the history of the world, no one has ever become a better person after a religious conversion, all religions are wrong just by existing.

This problem is 10 times as bad online, when you never have to see that person and you don't have to answer for stupid statements.

 

[Mysterious Stranger]

Every day...of course, they're religious/political discussions between myself and someone who believes the same thing as me.

Here's another question...when was the last time you tried to have a religious debate with a religious person and they pulled the "I'm so offended we're even discussing this" card and wouldn't have a bar of it? Mine was about 3 weeks ago.

Thirteen hours ago. They brought up the subject of religion, too.

 

[internetzealot1]

Civilized political/religious discussion? Bwa Ha Ha!!! Sir, you just made my day.

 

[Mysterious Stranger]

Civilized political/religious discussion? Bwa Ha Ha!!! Sir, you just made my day.

I'm going to go out on a limb and assume your answer is "never".

 

[Shapsters]

Well lets see, there was that... no, not that time. Oh there was... no...

Nope, never happened.

 

[Scolar Visari]

I make a game of tracking how long it takes for the person I'm debating to resort to an ad hominem attack.

I could do it on here, but the escapist would need to have some intelligent debates first. (Not including this topic. Good work OP)

 

[Raven's Nest]

Probably about 3 months ago. I had a lovely chat to a couple of mormons about life, god and the meaning of things. So long as you engage the person on an intellectual level and both parties are willing to discuss thier own views and also be respectful of the other persons view it is all fine. The issue is when you get two people who believe that it is duty to convert the other person, thats when it ends in shouting and yelling and thermo-nuclear war!

The prospect of scientologists weilding thermonuclear warheads frightens me immensely.

I think the chances of having a respectful debate about religion can only be influenced by the maturity and open mindedness of the person you are debating with, and yourself of course. This is the main reason such an event has never occured on the Internet.*

*probably

 

[Mysterious Stranger]

In real life? Yesterday. On the internet? Never.

I can have civil discussions with people about politics and religion, even when we don't agree. I think most people are willing to sit down and discuss things in a civil manner.

On the internet however, it seems like a contest to be the most obnoxious person. You won't find a religion discussion that doesn't mention the flying spaghetti monster, political discussions often invoke Godwin's Law, and you might as well avoid both if you're a conservative Christian because our kind isn't wanted on the internet.

Hey, even though I'm a liberal agnostic, as long as your beliefs are your own and you don't feel inclined to bash mine without good reason, I couldn't care less what your philosophy is.

 

[Heresy101]

...you might as well avoid both if you're a conservative Christian because our kind isn't wanted on the internet.

Fixed.



(Sorry, couldn't help myself.)

 

[Raven's Nest]

I make a game of tracking how long it takes for the person I'm debating to resort to an ad hominem attack.

I could do it on here, but the escapist would need to have some intelligent debates first. (Not including this topic. Good work OP)

check my cancer thread yesterday, I think the answer would be about 3 or 4 posts in...

 

[lostclause]

About three days ago on the escapist with an objectivist. A bit too brief to be satisfying but still good.

 

[Kubanator]

Thanks for proving my point.

Some people don't like irrationality. Simple.

 

[IrishBerserker]

When was the last time you ever had a civilized discussion with someone whose beliefs were different from yours? Mine was about six months ago and the subject was abortion. There was a refreshing absence of shouting. I ask because I'm just curious as to whether or not that's possible in this (very partisan) day and age.

Few weeks ago when I went home for the weekend.

Talked with my mom.

(Moms a Protestant, Dads Catholic, I'm a Pagan[Asatru/Odinism])
(Politically, I don't know what they are, But I'm an open minded Socialist)

 

[jman737]

Every day...of course, they're religious/political discussions between myself and someone who believes the same thing as me.

Here's another question...when was the last time you tried to have a religious debate with a religious person and they pulled the "I'm so offended we're even discussing this" card and wouldn't have a bar of it? Mine was about 3 weeks ago.

See, I don't take offense to having a discussion about religion. What I do have a bit of a problem with is when there's some atheist who comes up to me and says that my religion is wrong just because they said so and then says to all of their friends that they're being objective.

Atheists can be, and definitely in some cases, are as partisan as religious practitioners. The problem is not a one sided issue, instead, the only way to have a logical and objective debate is to try to look at the topic from someone else's perspective.

...you might as well avoid both if you're a conservative Christian because our kind isn't wanted on the internet.

Fixed.



(Sorry, couldn't help myself.)

PS. If this isn't illogical and partisan, I don't know what is.

 

[Mysterious Stranger]

...you might as well avoid both if you're a conservative Christian because our kind isn't wanted on the internet.

Fixed.



(Sorry, couldn't help myself.)

Please let that be in jest, because I really hope this thread, of all things, doesn't devolve into a flame war.

 

[PedroSteckecilo]

Frequently,

I'm a "devout" skeptic, whereas I'm friends with two Pastors Daughters, a new ager, and a fistful of mormons and I can frequently have religious discussions with them and keep them civil.

Politics on the other hand... being a left of center person in a mostly right wing city tends to alienate people on the topic of politics.

 

[Kasawd]

People tend to avoid debate with me anymore

Too hard to sway but I keep things civil with fact or logical conjecture.

It's been too long. Religion, for me, is easier to discuss with people who have a solid, monotheistic faith. I tried debating with wiccans, once, they got angry with me.

Political, though? Everyday with my father.

 

[Samurai Goomba]

When was the last time Cheeze Pavilion quoted me?

In real life, I have civilized discussions with people who disagree with me all the time. I hold many conservative/libertarian beliefs and live in a liberal city. Finding opposing viewpoints is absurdly simple. So all I really need to do is find the smartest person who disagrees with me.