I am an atheist and so far off the political scale that there no real label that fits, at least I haven't run across one yet. But I don't eschew religious or political discussions with anyone because the one thing I really try to avoid is living in the bubble of my own perceptions, of being so wedded to my own opinions and beliefs that new understandings become as impossible for me as they are for a religious fanatic. How can I learn anything by talking only with people who are pretty much like me? Try as we might none of us are very wise, or hold onto more than a little bit of truth. Unfortunately it seems that many people perceive any questioning of their own belief as a personal attack, responding with the same emotional drive as does any animal backed into a corner. Also, unfortunately, most of what passes for news and commentary is also driven by this same kind of emotional response, resulting in a lot of blind propaganda and pure fantasy masquerading as fact and proof.
Anyway, I end up backing out of most such discussions pretty quickly just because they are not going anywhere interesting or useful. Instead I read a lot, currently focusing on ancient Stoic philosophy.
Anyway, I end up backing out of most such discussions pretty quickly just because they are not going anywhere interesting or useful. Instead I read a lot, currently focusing on ancient Stoic philosophy.
