What Could Be More Important?

We are often told not to discuss Religion or Politics at the dinner table.  This general admonition seems to bleed into many of our other social engagements whether they be of a group nature or of a more personal, one-on-one nature.  What do we think of this?  What are we to make of it?  Do we follow this instruction/advice?

On a personal level I have to admit that I like things to go "smooth."  I generally don't like conflict.  As they say, I like to "get along."  However, there are times when our own immediate personal comfort should yield to what is truly important.  What do I mean by this?  Talking about running shoe models, the weather, sports, dogs, or my Star Wars action figure collection has a momentary sweetness and easiness, but spending time on these subjects does little to further those thing which, deep-down, we know we really care about.  I'm talking about (1) ultimate issues and our eternal state/destiny, and (2) this temporary life we live right now between the bookends of our conception and our death - and that of our posterity for that matter.  What could be more important?  The subject of Religion really covers both topics, but for simplicity let's just concentrate on its focus on the former.  The subject of Politics covers the latter topic.  Actually, all sorts of things have to do with the second topic, but Politics is more directly  concerned with the division and extent of civil power, law, and liberty.  It concerns the nature and basis of law, government, who governs, and how we are governed.  These things necessarily affect all the earthly pursuits and interests we could otherwise talk about. Because of this, Politics is of great importance.

This will not be a long exposition on our life on earth or our life (or the question of our life) in the hereafter.  I am simply and I think justifiably assuming that these things do matter to us.  When we meet with friends, or we meet with family, whether it be one-on-one or even at a family gathering, I propose that our discussion not be vain and fluffy.  Life is too short.  We care about ultimate issues, and let us not leave our engagements and our opportunities with that empty feeling that comes from non-engagement of those things we really find important.  Be bold, but measured.  Respect another person's right to voice their opinion.  Note that I am not advocating a respect for the substance of their opinion itself.  We believe certain things because we believe certain other things are necessarily wrong.  It is that simple.  Peel away the political correctness and be willing to call evil "evil" and good "good."  Anything else is simply dishonesty.  Many insist that we can not change their mind.  They will tell you that you can't change their mind and they can't change yours.  This is nonsense and wishful thinking.  How many times have we changed our own opinion about things?  We all have changed our minds about at least one thing - and these mind changes were not done in a vacuum.   Rarely is a mind changed (or the admission of a mind being changed) occur all at once.  One debater does not give up during a debate and tell his opponent and the audience "you're right.  I give up.  I now agree with you."  It just doesn't happen.  For one thing, our pride gets in the way.  For another thing, changes in position or philosophy  often happen incrementally.  Talking about Religion and Politics is therefore not useless, not a waste of time, and most likely will bring about changes - though they may not be immediately apparent.

I, for one, will not shy away from engagement in the topics which really matter.  What could be more important topics for discussion than those two forbidden topics, Religion and Politics?   Don't worry.  I'll be civil and no food-throwing or screaming will occur.