By: Brian Dolleman

Brian Dolleman — Mon, 11 Jan 2016 23:55:38 +0000

Thanks for adding your voice here Bryan. I have a similar memory of people in my life saying “The older I get the less I know for certain,” and a similar reaction… now I feel like I understand, really understand what they were saying. The other thing I’m beginning to realize is that I don’t have to have (or voice) an opinion about everything – like, the world carries on and God’s Kingdom suffers no violence when I keep my opinions to myself. Ha! Who would have ever thought?

By: Bryan

Bryan — Mon, 11 Jan 2016 19:55:52 +0000

Great points here Brian. The dialogue on Facebook, and I’m sure all other social media, is replete with vicious attacks – with no apparent purpose but to make those who disagree look foolish.
This is bully behavior – punch the “opponent” in the face and get them moving backward so they can’t take advantage of your weaknesses. Put another way that probably hits closer to home for most of us, If I can get the spotlight shining on my opponent’s hypocrisy, I won’t be forced to deal with my own.
There is no humility in these conversations. Winning the argument seems to be more important than understanding how someone might come to see things differently than they do, even more important than being truly informed and knowledgeable about the issues at hand.
When I was growing up, my Dad would often tell me “the older I get, the less I know for sure”. I would just as often think, “nice little saying Dad”. Now that I’m in my 50′s I think I understand what he meant. Many of the things I was so sure of in my 20′s and 30′s have become rather fuzzy over the years, and I have realized I didn’t have a clue about some of them. I can’t help but wonder how these conversations would change if we could all look honestly at our own shortfalls before pointing out the other guy’s – you know, just call me plankeye.

Comments on: We’ve Forgotten How To Argue Well (Hint: It’s Not About Yelling, Swearing, Or Mocking)

By: Brian Dolleman

By: Bryan