This comment can only be trolling, as it seems to be deliberately phrased in such a way as to make it clear that you're intentionally disregarding what I've written.
This comment can only be trolling, as it seems to be deliberately phrased in such a way as to make it clear that you're intentionally disregarding what I've written.
I did not intentionally disregard what you said. The problem is that you were not clear in what you were trying to say. FYI. I am no troll. I use my name, I do not hide behind a phony screen name.
I will repeat, you don't change minds by debate, Especially when it comes to cultural/religious issues. People come to a debate with rock solid ideas, when the subject is a hot button issue, and cultural/ religious issues .
Such issues are not opinions which can be shed, with the acquisition of facts or critical thinking. They are part of a persons core identity, beliefs. It is not easy to shed beliefs, it is tantamount to committing psychic suicide.
Beliefs are what we are made of, they form the core of our identity, be it racial, sexual, religious, political, even such mundane things as sports. (To wit: European soccer riots).
To shed a belief is akin to being afloat on the ocean on a door with no sail or oars.
The alternative is opinions. One can easily shed an opinion, when confronted with new information or evidence, provided they have critical thinking skills.
Opinions are either acquire or arrived at.
Acquired opinions are those that one picks up from authority or friends.
An opinion that is arrived at, is one that was formed from information, considered and evaluated.
The upshot is that debating in front of an audience who comes to the event with a set of beliefs is a waste of time. You don't change minds of people whose ego and identity is wrapped up in beliefs. And the cultural war is, if nothing, but a tightly wrapped package of beliefs.
YouтАЩre right. You donтАЩt usually change minds by debate - not immediately - but you can sometimes plant an idea in someoneтАЩs head that may rankle there for sometime and lead to a slow re-evaluation of beliefs. But if you enter in to a debate with the express purpose of convincing the other person youтАЩre right, you will usually fail. Why would anyone listen to you or respect your opinion when itтАЩs clear you donтАЩt respect them enough to listen to their opinion even though you might disagree with it? I surely wouldnтАЩt.
This comment can only be trolling, as it seems to be deliberately phrased in such a way as to make it clear that you're intentionally disregarding what I've written.
I did not intentionally disregard what you said. The problem is that you were not clear in what you were trying to say. FYI. I am no troll. I use my name, I do not hide behind a phony screen name.
I will repeat, you don't change minds by debate, Especially when it comes to cultural/religious issues. People come to a debate with rock solid ideas, when the subject is a hot button issue, and cultural/ religious issues .
Such issues are not opinions which can be shed, with the acquisition of facts or critical thinking. They are part of a persons core identity, beliefs. It is not easy to shed beliefs, it is tantamount to committing psychic suicide.
Beliefs are what we are made of, they form the core of our identity, be it racial, sexual, religious, political, even such mundane things as sports. (To wit: European soccer riots).
To shed a belief is akin to being afloat on the ocean on a door with no sail or oars.
The alternative is opinions. One can easily shed an opinion, when confronted with new information or evidence, provided they have critical thinking skills.
Opinions are either acquire or arrived at.
Acquired opinions are those that one picks up from authority or friends.
An opinion that is arrived at, is one that was formed from information, considered and evaluated.
The upshot is that debating in front of an audience who comes to the event with a set of beliefs is a waste of time. You don't change minds of people whose ego and identity is wrapped up in beliefs. And the cultural war is, if nothing, but a tightly wrapped package of beliefs.
YouтАЩre right. You donтАЩt usually change minds by debate - not immediately - but you can sometimes plant an idea in someoneтАЩs head that may rankle there for sometime and lead to a slow re-evaluation of beliefs. But if you enter in to a debate with the express purpose of convincing the other person youтАЩre right, you will usually fail. Why would anyone listen to you or respect your opinion when itтАЩs clear you donтАЩt respect them enough to listen to their opinion even though you might disagree with it? I surely wouldnтАЩt.