Opus 2014-23: Touch the Third Rail

What are the third rails of polite conversation?  Religion, politics and money.

Why are these topics so sensitive?  It isn’t because people don’t have opinions.

Sometimes it is because people are so passionate you can’t discuss the topic without anger.  If you have just lost your health insurance and need surgery, you are not going to be able to calmly discuss Obamacare.  If it is the anniversary of the Armenian Holocaust you are not going to be open to a polite disagreement on Islam being a religion of peace. 

More common is an awareness that your position is wanting, thus you would rather not have a discussion that would require openness and honesty on your part.  Sometimes this is what causes the anger.  This shows itself in denial.  Liberals don’t want to admit they are liberals.  They now call themselves Progressives.  They call liberal Republicans “moderates.”  Most Calvinists avoid the term and embrace “Reformed” while ignoring the fact that every new group considers themselves a reformation movement. 

One way to avoid an honest discussion is to throw out derogatory shibboleths.  Thus when someone doesn’t get their way they call you a racist if they are black or a “hater” if they are not.  If they are a liberal you are labeled as “ignorant.”  If they are self centered they label you “insensitive.”  If the guilt and shame are too strong they just refuse to engage.

I have noticed that people with strong rational beliefs are quite willing to discuss things.  I love a good discussion with someone who admits they are a Calvinist.  We can have a great time throwing out scripture and quoting giants of the faith.  If it is done correctly we stay courteous and part friends, even if we don’t agree. 

So check it out.  See who knows what they are talking about and who just wants to get to the next text message about Justin. 

homo unius libri