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Does anyone else get annoyed when you are having a discussion with a conservative about something (in this case, universal healthcare coverage), you provide a reasonable argument, facts, statistics, details, etc. Their comeback is “that’s very interesting, but I believe....” No support, no facts, no logic, just “I think, therefore it is!” Mostly based on garbage they have been told, again unsupported by any data. Frustrating! I had this exchange with a friend of my son’s (we have had others). He is a nice kid, home schooled, little exposure to the world outside his little town, and very religious, but quite willing to challenge me on Facebook when I post memes that are contradictory to his “beliefs.” His parents threw him out of the family at 17 because mom found a link to a porn website on his tablet. But god loves him!

Barnie2years 8 Aug 12
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8 comments

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1

If this kids parents found my laptop they would throw me off the planet....

I call people out on this kind of thing. If his parents are that strict, and a teenage boy hitting a porn site is not unexpected, he likely doesn't know how to form a coherent view or idea. The fact that so many conservatives base all opinions (and votes) on tribalism nonsense instead of checking a fact or supporting a statement is annoying. I would be much more upset if I was an educated conservative (insert unicorn joke here) and had to live with the fact that so much of my side was made of these types.

0

Yep. Beliefs are like that. Incapable of logic.

0

Yes, the alt-right do that, but people do that on this forum almost as much.

I finally learned to block people the moment they start arguing with me, ignoring my offered links and information, refusing to read them, declaring they don't "think" something is so, so it isn't.

I've blocked so many people by now that this happens less frequently but usually if I post anything the slightest bit controversial, at least one will turn up, and get blocked.

I have no issues with disagreements and him and I often end by agreeing to disagree, which after three marriages, is better than continuing to argue a topic neither of us is going to give up their position. In the current atmosphere of opposing facts, news, and diametrically opposed beliefs, sometime that is the best outcome to maintain any kind of relationship. I have not blocked anyone on here and very few on other networks. I just stop the conversation and let their position sink on it’s own lack of merit.

1

Unfortunately we are living in a post-fact, post-truth age where facts are what we want them to be o
r wish they might be. It is true that this affliction is most prevalent in conservatives, but by no means limited to. When stations like Fox or other alt-right outlets can spew unsubstatisted garbage and call it truth, or alt-right stations pedal conspiracy theories that ignore the facts, we are in a strange times.

2

The problem is that you are arguing logic against emotion and emotion will win out every time, especially if the emotion is religious or politically based. I taught argument in college and this was always an contention with my students.

2

I refuse to have a battle of wits with an unarmed person. It's like trying to teach a pig to sing, it wastes your time and annoys the pig.

I normally don’t with strangers. But I like this kid, and he is forthright in expressing himself. Sometimes he even acknowledges that some of the things I tell him make a little crack in his conservative armor. So I keep throwing logic at him until he calls a cease fire. (Let’s just agree to disagree!)

@Barnie2years You never know, he might eventually see the light.

@sewchick57 Even if it just makes him question his indoctrination a little bit, I feel I’ve made a positive contribution to his life!

@Barnie2years How did getting thrown out of his house for a forgivable sin not shake his indoctrination?

Either way hats off for taking the time with him.

@ThisGuy I don’t understand their thinking, he is a nice kid in so many ways. From our conversations when I took him home after hockey games, it’s his mom that runs the roost and refuses to even speak to him, but his father still comes to occasional games with his sister and brother. But mom rules the home front.

2

It isn't limited to conservatives, it is just the way many people are. It does take time and work to actually research something. For myself, I never feel as though I have enough data.

5

I have given up arguing with Trump supporters. They refuse to listen.

Yesterday I ordered a pro-choice bumper sticker:

Keep Your Theology
Off My Biology

I hesitated before ordering it, because Republicans won't understand the big words.

What does "off" mean?

@ThisGuy

Is English your second language?

In this case, "Off" means "Do not interfere with my personal control of my body and reproductive system."

Interesting...

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