As one who enjoys a stimulating debate, I don't mind bantering a topic with another with whom I might disagree. I'm not interested in picking a fight, offending anyone, or placing another in a position of ridicule. Partly I am interested in learning and partly in conveying my opinion in order to sway others. On my blog I would not want to lose readers or antagonize any of them. My primary purpose is entertainment through what is hopefully some stimulating discussion.
Some oft given advice is to never discuss politics or religion, when in reality these are two of the more important issues that affect our society and that each of us should and probably do have an opinion about. These are also topics that are often the root cause of factionalism and even war. We may stubbornly cling to our ideas and opinions because we haven't taken the time to rationally discuss them and break them down point by point.
On my Thursday blog posts I often take an issue which I have heard discussed on the news, talk radio, or someplace else. At times these issues might raise my hackles enough to make me want to find out more about them, hence my bringing them up for Debate Day. Sometimes I have presented both sides, sometimes only the side with which I strongly agree, and sometimes I may appear to show favor with a side with which I am in strong disagreement. Whichever the case may be, on Debate Day I am merely tossing something out to the readers in hopes of eliciting some responses which may make us think, or even teach us something new.
My question for today--not only from the standpoint of my debate blog posts, but also in your own life situations:
Is it better to avoid controversial topics for fear of upsetting someone else?
Perhaps you'd prefer to just talk about the weather, your family, or your work. However do we really learn anything about what is going on around us in the larger scheme of things? If we have been misinformed about something that we have come to strongly believe, talking about it might help us to see things differently. If we have an issue that we are passionate about and want to persuade others to join our side, then we must be able to talk about it. Sure life can be peaceful and non-confrontational if we don't address hot issues, but isn't avoidance how potentially oppressive movements can gain influence over the populace?
Do you ever address controversial issues on your blog? Does it upset you if someone strongly disagrees with you? Are you ever so offended by a blog post that it angers you? Would you stop reading a blogger who strongly disagreed with something that you believed in even if that blogger was trying to be civil and polite? Are you able to calmly and rationally discuss controversy with someone who is the polar opposite of your beliefs?
