Opinions/heated debate

[gustavofring]

I think politics and religion are the *best* topics to talk about - especially politics.

Really? I'm sick of these topics.

With elections coming up in my country next month, you should see what some of the posters on message boards are saying about each other, politicians and entire groups in the population.

It's always "I'm (or my political affiliation) is right, and you're all wrong", and there's nasty mudthrowing going on from all sides. I've honestly lost all hope in politics and don't follow it anymore. In the end everyone is voting for their own wallet. People are dehumanizing those with different views on economics, lifestyles etc. The arrogance of all sides is off putting for me.

 

[Lea]

Things that are universal do not just apply to the majority and what we think is wrong, there are people that violate the norm because they have their own rules of morality. I think killing and cruelty is wrong, but I disagree that it is universal because what is right/wrong can depend on to certain people.

Thanks for your answer Beleza. Even in case it is not universal and a matter of subjective opinion, which I don´t think because it´s clearly very wrong, I won´t change into being more benevolent about it.. people can call me judgmental if they want.. I just can´t agree that something is a good thing (or JUST a matter of personal opinion), if to me it is a horrenduos, wrong thing. If I did, my conscience would have to turn in the grave .

 

[Nathália]

Thanks for your answer Beleza. Even in case it is not universal and a matter of subjective opinion, which I don´t think because it´s clearly very wrong, I won´t change into being more benevolent about it.. people can call me judgmental if they want.. I just can´t agree that something is a good thing (or JUST a matter of personal opinion), if to me it is a horrenduos, wrong thing. If I did, my conscience would have to turn in the grave .

I understand your view Lea. Thanks for responding. I am taking your argument into consideration, because I see what you're getting at.

 

[Lea]

Thanks Beleza, glad you understand what I mean. Maybe I shouldn´t have messed into this thread, I think the OP had in mind predominantly less grave issues like politics and religion. Still, I just wanted to show that not everything is just subjective or a matter of opinion.. (at least in my opinion )

 

[Solitudes_Grace]

It depends what people are debating about. Some topics such as politics, economics, philosophy, social issues, and religion are worth debating. Debates allow each party to be confronted with ideas different from their own. Our own opinions are often modified and strengthened when we debate, discuss, or argue about something. Often debates over important topics become heated, which is reasonable. Despite this, there is a wrong way to debate and a right way to debate. Debates and discussions over important topics need to occur, but they need to be civil, and they need to be free from logical fallacies and ad hominem attacks in order for them to be productive. Name calling never helps anyone in a debate. I do agree that too many internet discussions and debates are clogged with name calling and logical fallacies though. Then again, too many real life discussions and debates are clogged with the same things. Most people don't know how to have civil discussions.

 

[Etbow23]

It irritates me yes, but it's fascinating at the same time. On some especially vicious sites, like yahoo or youtube, I've found that if I post something totally innocent (stating my opinion), people will insult me on a personal level. I've found that if you do choose to post on those sites, you basically have to say something either totally meaningless or something that will be neutral/blend with what others say.

 

[MikeyC]

On some especially vicious sites, like yahoo or youtube, I've found that if I post something totally innocent (stating my opinion), people will insult me on a personal level..

Oh, yeah. I never post comments on YouTube videos anymore.

 

[OceanMist]

Haha, well, it sounds like this forum is dedicated to people like me. I'm one of the most opinionated people on this site and one of the most hated because I speak my mind on here often.

I definitely don't disagree with everything people say, though. I hope you aren't getting the idea the opinionated people always disagree, because that's not true. I've agreed with people on here countless times.

As far as avoiding opinionated people goes, that is impossible no matter where you go. I've found opinionated people whereever i go, in real life and online. It's worse online because people are able to hide behind a computer screen with an anonymous name so they can pretty much say whatever they want.

As for this site, I'd say there are just as many opinionated people on here compared to any other site. Forums on any site including this one will always have debates, that is just the way it goes. It only takes one individual to light a fire.

 

[charizmatic]

yeah previously....i became too angry if anyone said bad things about me...and after that i became still and lost in confusion ...why he said that to me....thoughts springing back always.......but overtime iv gained patience over myself ...and now iwhenever anyone say things abt me...id just say ..."yeah go on whatever u hv to say i dont care i like my stuff..you dont like..... its ur problem" ...and that way i can ignore them easily......and yes why not ignore them bcoz they are not the one who will decide ur life ...u should be the one...At last always listen to ur heart..just ignore world and try to achieve everything special skills u want and become a difference...thats wat i think......

 

[KiaKaha]

Really? I'm sick of these topics.

With elections coming up in my country next month, you should see what some of the posters on message boards are saying about each other, politicians and entire groups in the population.

It's always "I'm (or my political affiliation) is right, and you're all wrong", and there's nasty mudthrowing going on from all sides. I've honestly lost all hope in politics and don't follow it anymore. In the end everyone is voting for their own wallet. People are dehumanizing those with different views on economics, lifestyles etc. The arrogance of all sides is off putting for me.

Yeah - I totally understand where you are coming from. It is frustrating - and you can get quite jaded with it all.

I guess for me though is that with politics (and to a lesser extend religion) - is that it is a great way to identify the values that people hold. When people express their political ideals they are illustrating the nature of the kind of person that they are - how they see the world, what they think is fair, the values they live by and the ideals they uphold - I dont think any other topic can say so much truth about the kind of personality people have. The reason *behind* why people get so emotional with these topics is because it touches the very core of who they are.... and that to me, is fascinating.

I'm a leftie - quite a strong one. I argue with righties

you know...just fyi.

 

[TheFlamesWithin]

Unfortunately, many subjects, ESPECIALLY politics and religion, will always be there on heated debate tables. Humans have that flaw where this person or that person has got to be right. We are a flawed species, most definitely.

It is up to you to get yourself to become indifferent to the antics of others. They do not make you angry or sad, you allow yourself to get there ^_^

 

[HappySquidward]

I find debates both interesting and entertaining. It can become a game if played with the right people, but goes bad the moment someone take something personally. I believe debates are a necessary part of politics which will always exist, though maybe not the way they're current handled. However, religious debates are never a good thing. It's impossible to have a relgious debate and not attack someone personally, becuase it saying that what you believe is false. A debate will never change someone's religion.