Something Very Troubling to Me, and Maybe Many Her. How With This Growing Problem?

[Bill “Papa” Lee]

Recently I have seen a change which troubles me greatly. I know try limiting long of threads due to how I must post, with an iPad, and how I have to hold it, eyesight etc., which leads to my copious mistakes, so please forgive my many errors. Of course my lack of education, leading to spelling, grammar, and punctuation, as a result of my not listening to my teachers, no excuse for that, except youth, of a daydreaming, want to be poet. But as of late, I have noticed a very harsh tone, especially on a recent thread that wondered into the political. There we a few, very rude and abrupt comments, one even calling those who voted for our present, President as “stupid”. I pray I have not contributed to any such behavior, and if so, I beg all for forgiveness. In a number of threads things seem to have taken a turn to the  unkind tone, and I am not sure why. our tone I am not trying to point the finger and anyone, and I know moderators, the few still “fighting the good fight”. I also know they have an unpaid calling, and a thankless job, and often feel as if it is an uphill climb, so God bless them! 
 

Also, I know this site has nothing to do with the Salt Lake Tribune, but often threads are created here due to it’s content, when related to the Church, or other loosely related issues. Also it is no secret that the Salt Lake Tribune newspaper, is no friend to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, if not openly hostile! Recently (Editorial, or a Letter to the Editor), an article appeared, that referred to the, Republican Party as a “Cult”. Normally this would not be a surprise in any other newspaper, but for such an article to appear in a newspaper, where most readers are, Latter-day Saints, with the word, “Cult”, knowing how charged that word is to Latter-day Saints, is and was a shock. The word, “cult” was without a doubt, used and meant to wound, and wound readers deeply, and it did indeed!!!. In fact using the world “cult”, was used in a largely “Mormon State”, seemed and I have extended family in Utah, which is why I subscribe on line to the newspaper, and it did indeed, “catch my eye”, and anger me, very much” Living in the South, even when members of Baptist Churches visit (as they often do, to invite us to Church on Sunday, no matter how nice I am, they often tell me I belong to a “cult”. So when members here, be they members of the Church, or just members of this website, to attack, or make derogatory remarks due to being members of a different political party, it huts, and it hurts deeply. It would seem that those of our Faith, would understand, given the fact that they know how we are treated by so many others of different Faiths. Don’t get me wrong, I have strong political beliefs and opinions, as one member here, who is a Facebook friend. But I would never use this forum to insult someone here, as I also try not to do so elsewhere. It is simply not in my nature to be cruel, are to hurt another. Although there are many websites devoted to attack our Faith, sadly some do so here, because they fell hurt, they feel the need to hurt us as well. My life’s experience has taught me, that those who have hurt me, trying to hurt them, only makes me hurt more. 
 

So my larger questions, how can we avoid hurting one another?Also, why does a difference in political philosophy cause many to be to act so angrily toward those of differing opinions, especially here as reflected in a recent thread? Think about it, even within our own families, we have members of different Faiths, no Faiths, as well as here, and for the most part, we cope, and cope well.. But different political ideas, we fall apart? 
 

Sorry for the long post, it took a while. So, not again for a while. I am sure many have enjoyed the smaller posts, or not posting much at all.  

[strappinglad]

Remember the golden rule : do unto others before they do it unto you " or something like that. Also" accuse others of what you yourself are doing "  There are quite a few variations on this theme . 

As per the OP , try to listen to the other sides argument without interruption so that they feel they have been heard. Respond with something along the lines of , " interesting perspective " .

And don't get angry if your actions are not reciprocated immediately. 

[Ahab]

3 hours ago, Bill “Papa” Lee said:

So my larger questions, how can we avoid hurting one another? 

I think as long as we're not physically in contact with each other we're doing okay.  Sometimes some people say some other people hurt their feelings when all they did was share what they thought.  We need to remember we are always in control of our own emotions.   What other people think doesn't actually hurt us.   Other people don't have to agree with us and we don't have to feel hurt just because other people think and feel differently than we do.

Quote

Also, why does a difference in political philosophy cause many to be to act so angrily toward those of differing opinions, especially here as reflected in a recent thread? Think about it, even within our own families, we have members of different Faiths, no Faiths, as well as here, and for the most part, we cope, and cope well.. But different political ideas, we fall apart? 

Some people feel challenged when other people do not agree with them.  They get all emotional and upset just because other people don't feel and think the same way they do.  So they cause themselves to feel hurt by thinking other people have hurt their feelings and they act as if they are supposed to feel hurt just because someone else didn't agree with them or didn't feel the same way they felt about something.  It's not a mature way to act but people don't always act mature even when they are over 18, or 21, or 30, or 40, or however old they get to be.  We just need to calm down, relax, and realize that people have the right to think and feel differently than we do so that when other people do not agree with us we realize that doesn't mean we should act as if those other people were mean to us or hurt our feelings.  They just didn't agree with us, or feel the same way that we felt.  Different strokes for different folks.  It's just a fact that not everyone is going to agree or feel the same way.  No need to get upset or feel hurt by that kind of thing.  It might not feel good that other people don't think and feel like we do but that doesn't mean they are actually hurting us by not thinking or feeling the same way we do.

 

Edited February 10, 2020 by Ahab

[Bill “Papa” Lee]

51 minutes ago, strappinglad said:

Remember the golden rule : do unto others before they do it unto you " or something like that. Also" accuse others of what you yourself are doing "  There are quite a few variations on this theme . 

As per the OP , try to listen to the other sides argument without interruption so that they feel they have been heard. Respond with something along the lines of , " interesting perspective " .

And don't get angry if your actions are not reciprocated immediately. 

I always do listen, and have wonderful friends who believe differently, in reality some of my oldest and dearest friends. 

[CV75]

3 hours ago, Bill “Papa” Lee said:

So my larger questions, how can we avoid hurting one another?Also, why does a difference in political philosophy cause many to be to act so angrily toward those of differing opinions, especially here as reflected in a recent thread?

It helps me when I remember everyone around me is a miraculous creation, a divine spirit child of God struggling through the challenges of a fallen world.

[Robert F. Smith]

4 hours ago, Bill “Papa” Lee said:

...................................

So my larger questions, how can we avoid hurting one another?Also, why does a difference in political philosophy cause many to be to act so angrily toward those of differing opinions, especially here as reflected in a recent thread? Think about it, even within our own families, we have members of different Faiths, no Faiths, as well as here, and for the most part, we cope, and cope well.. But different political ideas, we fall apart? ........................

My recommendation would be that you avoid ever commenting on politics, here or anywhere else.  Your central concern should be the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and fulfilling the divine commission to take that Gospel to all people.

Getting enmeshed in political partisanship will not help you in that endeavor.

[Bob Crockett]

4 hours ago, teddyaware said:

The thing that never ceases to baffle me is how those who look down their noses and call the supporters of our current President stupid are, more often than not, people who voted for a candidate who is, by any reasonable measure, just as corrupt, just as dishonest, just as power hungry, and just arrogant as they perceive the present President to be. People who live in glass houses. 

Lots of good Republicans who are members of the Church who disagree with you, but politics make persons bad bedfellows.

Edited February 11, 2020 by Bob Crockett

[Rajah Manchou]

6 hours ago, Bill “Papa” Lee said:

Recently I have seen a change which troubles me greatly.

It had bothered me too. But I have an honest question. When the most powerful office in the land uses name-calling and disparaging nicknames as a political tool, how should those who aren't so powerful respond?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_nicknames_used_by_Donald_Trump

My feeling is, until the leader of our nation takes a gentler tone with his opponents, and chooses the higher road, this is only going to get worse. So us "triggered" "snowflakes" better buckle up. 

[Tacenda]

22 minutes ago, Rajah Manchou said:

It had bothered me too. But I have an honest question. When the most powerful office in the land uses name-calling and disparaging nicknames as a political tool, how should those who aren't so powerful respond?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_nicknames_used_by_Donald_Trump

My feeling is, until the leader of our nation takes a gentler tone with his opponents, and chooses the higher road, this is only going to get worse. So us "triggered" "snowflakes" better buckle up. 

I hope it doesn't all turn into a civil war. I've said over and over that Pres. Trump needs to unite this country, not divide. 

This is what a Democrat FB site said today below, I c/p'd. Hopefully Papa doesn't mind that I'm giving the Democrat view, I'm neither side, I choose the person over party. It all feels so sad to me seeing our country go down this road, I'll bet our enemies love to see this.

Some Wise Advice Circulating:

1. Don't use his name;
2. Remember this is a regime and he's not acting alone;
3. Do not argue with those who support him--it doesn't work;
4. Focus on his policies, not his orange-ness and mental state;
5. Keep your message positive; they want the country to be angry and fearful because this is the soil from which their darkest policies will grow;
6. No more helpless/hopeless talk;
7. Support artists and the arts;
8. Be careful not to spread fake news. Check it;
9. Take care of yourselves
10. Resist!
11. Keep demonstrations peaceful. In the words of John Lennon, "When it gets down to having to use violence, then you are playing the system’s game. The establishment will irritate you - pull your beard, flick your face - to make you fight! Because once they’ve got you violent, then they know how to handle you. The only thing they don’t know how to handle is non-violence and humor."
12. When you post or talk about him, don't assign his actions to him, assign them to "The Republican Administration," or "The Republicans." This will have several effects: the Republican legislators will either have to take responsibility for their association with him or stand up for what some of them don't like; he will not get the focus of attention he craves; Republican representatives will become very concerned about their re-elections.
13. Keep paying attention, and keep up the pressure;
14. Practice self care;
15. Stay optimistic, but not complacent. If you won't fight for what you believe in, who will? It will take all of us. United together we can handle this.

(Copy and paste to your wall rather than sharing. If you share, only our mutual friends will see it.)

 

Edited February 11, 2020 by Tacenda

[sunstoned]

2 hours ago, Robert F. Smith said:

My recommendation would be that you avoid ever commenting on politics, here or anywhere else.  Your central concern should be the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and fulfilling the divine commission to take that Gospel to all people.

Getting enmeshed in political partisanship will not help you in that endeavor.

I agree.  Right now politics are very divisive, and this can lead to short tempers and rude behaviour. 

[Rajah Manchou]

11 minutes ago, Tacenda said:

I hope it doesn't all turn into a civil war. I've said over and over that Pres. Trump needs to unite this country, not divide. 

I imagine some might read this and justify President Trump's list of nicknames because Clinton called his voter base deplorable, and then Clinton defenders justify that by saying that Trump called Obama illegitimate, on and on and on all the way back to 1776.

Its to the point where I don't relate with either party because all the pettiness. I really do wish that people would stop making fun of Trump's hair or his tan lines but as soon as I start to feel empathy for Trump he'll tweet out about how someone is ugly or short or stupid.

I agree with the advice above, to simply ignore the taunts of individual politicians (whether that be Trump or Clinton) and remember that they don't represent us. Maybe best to just ignore the whole lot of them.

[Robert F. Smith]

3 hours ago, Rajah Manchou said:

I imagine some might read this and justify President Trump's list of nicknames because Clinton called his voter base deplorable, and then Clinton defenders justify that by saying that Trump called Obama illegitimate, on and on and on all the way back to 1776.

Its to the point where I don't relate with either party because all the pettiness. I really do wish that people would stop making fun of Trump's hair or his tan lines but as soon as I start to feel empathy for Trump he'll tweet out about how someone is ugly or short or stupid.

I agree with the advice above, to simply ignore the taunts of individual politicians (whether that be Trump or Clinton) and remember that they don't represent us. Maybe best to just ignore the whole lot of them.

We have met our frenemies, and they is us. 

[RevTestament]

17 hours ago, Bill “Papa” Lee said:

Recently I have seen a change which troubles me greatly. I know try limiting long of threads due to how I must post, with an iPad, and how I have to hold it, eyesight etc., which leads to my copious mistakes, so please forgive my many errors. Of course my lack of education, leading to spelling, grammar, and punctuation, as a result of my not listening to my teachers, no excuse for that, except youth, of a daydreaming, want to be poet. But as of late, I have noticed a very harsh tone, especially on a recent thread that wondered into the political. There we a few, very rude and abrupt comments, one even calling those who voted for our present, President as “stupid”. I pray I have not contributed to any such behavior, and if so, I beg all for forgiveness. In a number of threads things seem to have taken a turn to the  unkind tone, and I am not sure why. our tone I am not trying to point the finger and anyone, and I know moderators, the few still “fighting the good fight”. I also know they have an unpaid calling, and a thankless job, and often feel as if it is an uphill climb, so God bless them! 
 

Also, I know this site has nothing to do with the Salt Lake Tribune, but often threads are created here due to it’s content, when related to the Church, or other loosely related issues. Also it is no secret that the Salt Lake Tribune newspaper, is no friend to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, if not openly hostile! Recently (Editorial, or a Letter to the Editor), an article appeared, that referred to the, Republican Party as a “Cult”. Normally this would not be a surprise in any other newspaper, but for such an article to appear in a newspaper, where most readers are, Latter-day Saints, with the word, “Cult”, knowing how charged that word is to Latter-day Saints, is and was a shock. The word, “cult” was without a doubt, used and meant to wound, and wound readers deeply, and it did indeed!!!. In fact using the world “cult”, was used in a largely “Mormon State”, seemed and I have extended family in Utah, which is why I subscribe on line to the newspaper, and it did indeed, “catch my eye”, and anger me, very much” Living in the South, even when members of Baptist Churches visit (as they often do, to invite us to Church on Sunday, no matter how nice I am, they often tell me I belong to a “cult”. So when members here, be they members of the Church, or just members of this website, to attack, or make derogatory remarks due to being members of a different political party, it huts, and it hurts deeply. It would seem that those of our Faith, would understand, given the fact that they know how we are treated by so many others of different Faiths. Don’t get me wrong, I have strong political beliefs and opinions, as one member here, who is a Facebook friend. But I would never use this forum to insult someone here, as I also try not to do so elsewhere. It is simply not in my nature to be cruel, are to hurt another. Although there are many websites devoted to attack our Faith, sadly some do so here, because they fell hurt, they feel the need to hurt us as well. My life’s experience has taught me, that those who have hurt me, trying to hurt them, only makes me hurt more. 
 

So my larger questions, how can we avoid hurting one another?Also, why does a difference in political philosophy cause many to be to act so angrily toward those of differing opinions, especially here as reflected in a recent thread? Think about it, even within our own families, we have members of different Faiths, no Faiths, as well as here, and for the most part, we cope, and cope well.. But different political ideas, we fall apart? 

OK, at the risk of being too political, I am going to give my general outlook on these things. I have become more and more disappointed in the political left as time has passed. To call members of the Republican party a "cult" is absurd. I see the Republican party  being about trying to keep government out of our way except to the extent necessary to prevent us from trampling over each other's rights. I see this as allowing us to be free and to pursue happiness. But, unfortunately, I see the Republican party becoming more about catering to the corporations so that sensible things don't get done. I view the Republican party as becoming fossilized, and being scared to depart from the status quo of lots of spending to please the people. However, at its core the  Republican party is still the opposite of a cult. A cult  has a centralized dogma and leadership which asks followers to give up their autonomy for the "good" of all - esp the leadership. If anything, I see this as describing the Democratic party. Gone are the days of Pres. Kennedy who said "Ask not what your country can do for you, but ask what you can do for your country." It seems now the left is driving the Democratic party, and they want to promise everything - compassion and love are equated with spending. If you are not spending enough, you "don't care" about the "common man" or the various created "disenfranchised ethnic groups" who are the "victims." In the richest country in the world where the poor have the conveniences of modern day life, this line gets old to me. So, I am not really happy with either party.

I do see some need for business to be regulated. LDS should be sympathetic to this as Philo Farnsworth was an LDS inventor who was run over by big business, and never saw the fruit of inventing TV. Yet, the solution, as I see it, does not involve turning our government into our mommy to be milked for our every need - whether that be health care or otherwise. Americans have stopped asking "what can I do for my country" which was once a democratic ideal as propounded by Pres Kennedy. I haven't been happy with a president since Reagan, who I didn't even vote for because I was young and off to college. I voted for W, who quickly made me regret it, as I believe he was too laissez faire, and started a war which I was totally against, and I believe caused us to swing far left with Obama. They both enriched segments of the military complex though.  OK, so now I will get off my political soapbox. I just wish Americans would try to look at the bigger picture, and get passed the name calling - and yes, Trump is a bad and divisive leader in this regard - imho.

I suppose this is why politics is generally off-limits in this forum, but I do believe we need to call to each other to be civil to our political rivals, and stop referring to them with "enemy" terms like cult. So, I second you Bill in calling out the Tribune for doing this. It's absurd. If anything, it is more descriptive of the left - OK, I said I would stop. 

9 hours ago, Rajah Manchou said:

I imagine some might read this and justify President Trump's list of nicknames because Clinton called his voter base deplorable, and then Clinton defenders justify that by saying that Trump called Obama illegitimate, on and on and on all the way back to 1776.

Its to the point where I don't relate with either party because all the pettiness. I really do wish that people would stop making fun of Trump's hair or his tan lines but as soon as I start to feel empathy for Trump he'll tweet out about how someone is ugly or short or stupid.

I agree with the advice above, to simply ignore the taunts of individual politicians (whether that be Trump or Clinton) and remember that they don't represent us. Maybe best to just ignore the whole lot of them.

Unfortunately, our leaders tend to be a reflection of our society, which began to become divisive under Obama, and has probably become more-so under Trump. We need to rise above that pettiness, and unite everyone through the dream of those like Lincoln and Martin Luther King. Identity politics is destroying our country, and needs to stop for our own happiness. 

[Meadowchik]

Political parties are prone to cult-like tendencies. It's a reality just as much as cults are real. Any citizen would do well to not be too drawn in by partisan rhetoric and be skeptical of extreme and extraordinary political claims, not just of other sides, but especially their own party. Indeed, a party's constituents should be the first to demand better work, rhetoric and behaviour from its leaders. If any party isn't going through that feedback process between constituents and leaders that leads to adaptation, and hopefully improvement, the process is dangerously close to incompetency and failure to do what it was meant to.

So imo we should speak up, restrain our partisan loyalties carefully and continually and apply that by expecting better from our representatives.

 

Edited February 11, 2020 by Meadowchik

[Jeanne]

Hey Papa...I love my son so much...and yet have realized that our politics are extremely different and far a part.  We have found boundaries and meet in the middle of respect.  In that,we have surprised ourselves on how intelligent we both are to each other.

 

[rockpond]

Though I still fail all too often, I am trying to respond on these threads as if the person I am replying to is a member of my ward who I will see, serve, and worship with every week.  That usually helps me remember to be reasonable and respectful in my comments.

[Ahab]

I usually just avoid talking about politics because it isn't of any eternal significance, unlike religion which is.  But I will say that when I do talk about politics or politicians I talk about what I like and would like to see, rather than what I don't like or don't like to see.

Which article of faith is it?  I never memorized them and I don't plan to but I like those kinds of thoughts and those are the kinds of things I seek.  Negative thoughts and feelings are best ignored, I think.  Negative thoughts are not the kind of thoughts I am seeking.

[Robert F. Smith]

14 hours ago, Tacenda said:

....................... I'll bet our enemies love to see this. .......................................

Exactly what I said to Papa, and he took deep offense.  Just one more reason why politics should be off limits on this board.  Religion and politics just don't mix.

[MustardSeed]

8 minutes ago, Robert F. Smith said:

Exactly what I said to Papa, and he took deep offense.  Just one more reason why politics should be off limits on this board.  Religion and politics just don't mix.

Yep

[HappyJackWagon]

3 hours ago, RevTestament said:

OK, at the risk of being too political, I am going to give my general outlook on these things. I have become more and more disappointed in the political left as time has passed. To call members of the Republican party a "cult" is absurd. I see the Republican party  being about trying to keep government out of our way except to the extent necessary to prevent us from trampling over each other's rights. I see this as allowing us to be free and to pursue happiness. But, unfortunately, I see the Republican party becoming more about catering to the corporations so that sensible things don't get done. I view the Republican party as becoming fossilized, and being scared to depart from the status quo of lots of spending to please the people. However, at its core the  Republican party is still the opposite of a cult. A cult  has a centralized dogma and leadership which asks followers to give up their autonomy for the "good" of all - esp the leadership. If anything, I see this as describing the Democratic party. Gone are the days of Pres. Kennedy who said "Ask not what your country can do for you, but ask what you can do for your country." It seems now the left is driving the Democratic party, and they want to promise everything - compassion and love are equated with spending. If you are not spending enough, you "don't care" about the "common man" or the various created "disenfranchised ethnic groups" . 

I'm not familiar with the context in which the GOP was referred to as a 'cult', but it does make me wonder if it was more specifically a claim that the GOP is currently being led by a BIG personality leader. "Cult of Personality" would seem like less of a stretch than "cult". I can understand why some might try making the argument about the GOP being a "cult of personality", but that is very different from claiming the GOP is an actual cult.

Quote

A cult of personality, or cult of the leader, arises when a country's regime – or, more rarely, an individual – uses the techniques of mass media, propaganda, the big lie, spectacle, the arts, patriotism, and government-organized demonstrations and rallies to create an idealized, heroic, and worshipful image of a leader, often through unquestioning flattery and praise.

 

[Tacenda]

50 minutes ago, Robert F. Smith said:

Exactly what I said to Papa, and he took deep offense.  Just one more reason why politics should be off limits on this board.  Religion and politics just don't mix.

True!

[pogi]

34 minutes ago, Tacenda said:

True!

I have to be honest, I am kind of scratching my head given your last post.  While there are a few "wise" points in your post, it is overall very divisive, toxic, and demeaning towards most republicans who support Trump (oops, I said his name!).  Don't use his name?  Can you get more toxic than that?  If you want to unite the nation - don't post stuff like this.  If you truly believe that politics don't belong on this board - don't post stuff like this.  

16 hours ago, Tacenda said:

I hope it doesn't all turn into a civil war. I've said over and over that Pres. Trump needs to unite this country, not divide. 

This is what a Democrat FB site said today below, I c/p'd. Hopefully Papa doesn't mind that I'm giving the Democrat view, I'm neither side, I choose the person over party. It all feels so sad to me seeing our country go down this road, I'll bet our enemies love to see this.

Some Wise Advice Circulating:

1. Don't use his name;
2. Remember this is a regime and he's not acting alone;
3. Do not argue with those who support him--it doesn't work;
4. Focus on his policies, not his orange-ness and mental state;
5. Keep your message positive; they want the country to be angry and fearful because this is the soil from which their darkest policies will grow;
6. No more helpless/hopeless talk;
7. Support artists and the arts;
8. Be careful not to spread fake news. Check it;
9. Take care of yourselves
10. Resist!
11. Keep demonstrations peaceful. In the words of John Lennon, "When it gets down to having to use violence, then you are playing the system’s game. The establishment will irritate you - pull your beard, flick your face - to make you fight! Because once they’ve got you violent, then they know how to handle you. The only thing they don’t know how to handle is non-violence and humor."
12. When you post or talk about him, don't assign his actions to him, assign them to "The Republican Administration," or "The Republicans." This will have several effects: the Republican legislators will either have to take responsibility for their association with him or stand up for what some of them don't like; he will not get the focus of attention he craves; Republican representatives will become very concerned about their re-elections.
13. Keep paying attention, and keep up the pressure;
14. Practice self care;
15. Stay optimistic, but not complacent. If you won't fight for what you believe in, who will? It will take all of us. United together we can handle this.

(Copy and paste to your wall rather than sharing. If you share, only our mutual friends will see it.)

 

[Tacenda]

16 minutes ago, pogi said:

I have to be honest, I am kind of scratching my head given your last post.  While there are a few "wise" points in your post, it is overall very divisive, toxic, and demeaning towards most republicans who support Trump (oops, I said his name!).  Don't use his name?  Can you get more toxic than that?  If you want to unite the nation - don't post stuff like this.  If you truly believe that politics don't belong on this board - don't post stuff like this.  

 

True, but it isn't anything compared to what my Republican friends and family say. I just said it's their point of view and someone made up a list to work on themselves I guess. I'm not either of these parties right now, they both are driving me a little crazy. 

[pogi]

8 minutes ago, Tacenda said:

True, but it isn't anything compared to what my Republican friends and family say. 

Therefore...?

Most wars are started with that kind of mentality. 

10 minutes ago, Tacenda said:

I'm not either of these parties right now, they both are driving me a little crazy. 

If it's driving you crazy, probably best not to perpetuate it online. 

[BlueDreams]

23 hours ago, Bill “Papa” Lee said:

So my larger questions, how can we avoid hurting one another?Also, why does a difference in political philosophy cause many to be to act so angrily toward those of differing opinions, especially here as reflected in a recent thread? Think about it, even within our own families, we have members of different Faiths, no Faiths, as well as here, and for the most part, we cope, and cope well.. But different political ideas, we fall apart? 

The avoiding hurt is fairly simple, imho. You follow the golden rule and try to really understand why someone would hold a different view or opinion. You decide that there are far more important things than feeling right or scoring points and you assume you won’t change overarching opinions in the short term. When there’s not a real person in front of you on boards and comment sections that becomes a lot harder. For what it’s worth, i’ve tried on the political front. But it’s easier said than done this current political round.

The other problem you have currently is that much of our current political sides are decided by the sense of personal morality, not just political philosophy. This makes it easier to demonize the other side or feel hurt. I have a hard time not feeling hurt by what I see is a growing acceptance of xenophobia and racism that being peddled it makes me and mine feel unsafe in this country. The arguments against it often come off as willing to accept or ignore that hurt and personal threat, poo-poo that concern as not real, or excuse it for some perceived economic or partisan gains that seems worth the tweeting and crazy... or worst of all as a defense of said policies and outlooks which makes me feel physically sick. I don’t pull this out to argue about this point but to give an example from the other end of what i mean by moral stance v philosophical. I’m sure something similar probably happens around the issue of abortion and suddenly i morph into a baby-killer (or the enabler of baby-killers).

When we argue the merits of reagan-economics or universal health care that’s philosophical and cerebral for the most part. You can likely get heated without it being a big deal. But there are times that the arguments aren’t just a philosophical stance but one of where the nation should go and the values we should hold and which side you’re on likely will effect many people’s lives. Examples include the revolution, slavery, the Great Depression, child labor laws, civil rights movements, etc. Today i think there’s similar moral, generational, and movement based imperatives that make the conversations more likely to escalate and hurt to grow quick. 
 

with luv,

BD