"Conversation should be pleasant without scurrility, witty without affectation, free without indecency, learned without conceitedness, novel without falsehood."
Or should that be wrong....
Published on July 30, 2004 By Sally jacobs In Just Hanging Out
I don't believe in a certain religion, I don't have a political viewpoint that I believe in strongly enough to fight for. I sometimes wish I did. Because I like to fight for what I believe in. I don't like to shove my opinions down peoples throats and watch them choke. I don't even really see it as educating them, I see it as me learning. How do I learn by telling people my opinions, because I listen to their responses, to what their reaction will be. I respect people, I see no one as any less than me, I don't see anyones opinion any less than mine. I do know what I believe in and what I don't and I will argue for them points of view. However I don't like to be boxed in with my views, and for me this is what politics and religion do. They scare me. Especially religion. That sounds dumb huh, but it does. I fear I am being brainwashed, that my capacity to think for myself is been taken away. That rules are being put in front of me and I'm expected to live by them. I can't do that, and I don't want to do that. I do envy those that believe so strongly in their religion though. Because to believe strongly in anything gives you strength, no matter what it is. Religion gives people strength, it gives them somewhere to hang their hat. It makes people realise who they are, or at least starts them on the path to that. I can't dedicate myself to something like that though. I know people are religious to different extents, that it is not completely rigid. I will never believe in one way of thinking, enough to dedicate myself to it, but that does not mean I won't fight the fight.

I was speaking to a friend before, a friends opinion I value greatly, someone who is wise beyond their years, and someone I feel thinks in a similar way to me. This person is passionate about their beliefs. They don't fit into a certain category, they are like me, and they will fight for their beliefs. I respect that. We had a discussion about opinions. This person, as I said will usually fight for their opinion till the end. Their viewpoint on this was changing though. They no longer feel they have to fight that hard for their opinion. In their words "those that say they know, often do not, those that do know, stay silent." I can't agree with this. I tried, I really did. To share an opinion is all about learning, whether the opinion is right or wrong, you still learn. Just as life is one long learning experience. Staying silent won't get you anywhere, if those that are right stay quiet, does that mean we only learn from those that are wrong? Where does that get us? Who decides what is right or wrong? That is the key. What is right to me, maybe not what is right to you. My life is different to yours, my beliefs are, what I have experienced is, we are different. We can lead by example of course. That is always an option, but how far will that get us. My friend has not lost their passion, I know this. They have far to much of it to ever lose it, they are simply trying a different path, and variety is the spice of life. Just as I learn from peoples different opinions, I will learn from their opinion on this, it doesn't mean I have to agree though.

I think that respect is the key word here. We need to respect other peoples opinions. That does not mean we have to believe in them. Or agree with them. It's just about respect, and for someone to change your opinion, does not make you weak. Some people see backing down as some kind of defeat, that is not the case. It just means you are wise, and capable of change, that makes you the bigger person. Everyone is open to learning, it's just if we allow ourselves to do so. I think many people here are capable of that, and that's what makes everyday a learning experience for me.

Comments
on Jul 30, 2004
I agree, Sally. This is why I haven't written a blog lately. I'm a little frightened!
on Jul 30, 2004
Hehe...the great Kayles scared! Ahhh I've seen everything now! Get blogging girl we miss you!
on Jul 30, 2004
I whole-heartedly agree with you sally. Yes we can share and exchange our opinions. Sometimes, all that the other person wishes is for you to listen and understand his/her opinion, thats enough. Remember, the key word is understand. To understand another's opinion does not neccessarily means agreeing with her(his) opinion,right?
on Jul 31, 2004
Web poet you are exactly right, it is all about give and take, just because you listen does not mean you agree, it just shows understanding for each other and a mutual respect.