Let’s be nice.
I come from a family that loves to discuss things, and this weekend, when all of us, except for my brother in Poland, were together, we never lacked things to talk about. However, we ended up with some major disagreements which we never resolved, and that doesn’t feel good.
Why do we tend to dislike people who disagree with us? I’ve been trying to figure that out, and today I think I sort of hit upon the reason, and it isn’t very flattering. We dislike people who disagree with us because we value our own opinions, and when they say things that seem to disrespect our opinions, and by extension our intelligence, we turn them into our enemies. The disagreeing person never meant to be an enemy, in most cases, but they easily become that.
Furthermore, groups of people can’t stand other groups of people who disagree with them? WHY? It seems so ridiculous, that the love for all men which followers of Christ are to be filled with can be compromised by something as simple as a disagreement.
I think this is idiotic, and I want to get over it. I think the cause of Christ would be much better served if I would really LIKE people who don’t flatter my opinions. But good gracious, just thinking right now about a few people who hold some absolutely ridiculous ideas is making me see just how hard liking some of my adversaries in opinion is going to be. I am going to have to pray for a miracle.
And just in case you were wandering, yes, I still love all the members of my family very much and look forward to many more stimulating discussions with them, and loving everyone through it all. Actually agreeing in the end would be a plus.
allensgal wrote:
Wow-well-here is a thought.Thought only!I think we all could find opposition/differences a likeable thing cuz they CAN encourage change,deeper thinking,searching,etc.BUT for the most of us we have been dealt and have dealt out an attitude to assist with our differences of opinion. I can’t quite explain what that attitude is but its attributes include feeling anger,allowing the differences to change how we invite that person into our lives from now on,avoiding confrontational issues,and so on.But it can get complex because it would require both parties involved to maturely recognize they are loved unconditionally and their friend/family is mature enough to not let this affect their relationship even slightly.It can be done–but sadly-rarely due to our own inability assisted by the others. BUT HEY-lets change the forecast!!!!!
Posted on 28-Aug-06 at 2:49 pm | Permalink
amishlaw wrote:
I come from a large family (7 boys; 2 girls) that just plain likes to argue. I don’t think it’s necessarily bad. Most of our arguing is done with good humor and rarely does anyone get angry. I remember one Easter dinner about 7 or 8 years ago, realizing that we were arguing in front of a guest, a first cousin, once removed, who was visiting. A little apologetically, I asked him, “Does your family have these kinds of discussions?” “I’ve never heard them argue about whether God has a penis, (which is what we were arguing about)” he said.
Posted on 01-Sep-06 at 10:01 pm | Permalink
Gary wrote:
I sure am curious to know what yal were arguing about!!!! Mabe I’ll ask you some time.
Posted on 02-Sep-06 at 10:07 pm | Permalink