It would seem that as with most things, those who are the most vehement and opinionated on either side are also the most ignorant, probably because they are not really secure in their views because they are parroting what someone else said and haven’t done the thinking to actually come up with their own well reasoned opinion so they cover it with bluster and scoffing at anyone who differs.

For that reason it’s difficult to discuss anything with them without offending them or making them feel you don’t respect their thinking or think they are ill informed. So for me it’s best to not have those conversations socially because everyone is the loser. It’s possible for people of good will to have opposing views on things and I try to keep the conversation to things on which we all more or less agree or don’t disagree too much. That way we have a bond of friendship and in case the subject does turn to religion or politics we can agree to disagree or to not discuss the topic, without acrimony.

I come from a family of people who “discuss” heatedly, but we mostly share the same oinions. One of my brothers-in-law, after observing a family “discussion” at Easter announced he’d never before seen people who agreed on every point get so heated by the “debate.” My husband and kids are the opposite. They prefer peace and the security of their own opinion. I have found my need to “discuss” is satisfied here on the Internet, and they never have to bother with my opinions. I just remarked tonight to my husband, in the middle of another debate online, that he has no idea how much of my need to debate is satisfied online. He smiled and said he certainly did. He remembers life before blogging, lol.

MaryNGG, I also understand that deflated feeling you described. I have reached that point too. I have been asked more than once to explain myself, and when I do, I am asked why I care so much. Ugh. Just because I debate does not mean I am all that invested.