We aren’t supposed to talk about religion or politics, so let’s talk about religion and politics.

I personally do not care what your opinion is on either subject, but I am really interested in why you believe whatever you believe.

Unfortunately, this is difficult information to get from someone because so many people have an “I don’t discuss these topics” rule, which seems completely asinine.

Why don’t you talk about religion or politics? You don’t want to get into an argument? Then don’t define yourself by your beliefs.

That might be going a bit far, but basing all of your morals on a single belief system is just stupid. Are you seriously incapable of being a polite, functional member of society without someone telling you how?

I enjoy talking about these things because I, admittedly, don’t really know what my stance is on either subject. I just want to learn.

These are two of the most important and powerful things that we have to talk about and, by not doing so, we’re denying ourselves a vital forum for understanding each other.

“Oh, I don’t talk about religion or politics. It always ends in an argument.”

I’m positive that you’ve heard that sentence before, and it is usually true. My suspicion is that there is such a giant population of people who have no idea what they are talking about that this answer has become the replacement for “sorry, I actually don’t know much about that topic,” and we accept that.

For a country with freedom of religion and no official state religion, we sure do spend a lot of time and energy focusing on religion. If our politicians aren’t of a particular religion, we won’t elect them? How much sense does that make?

If your beliefs are so closely held that you can’t separate yourself from them, then why aren’t you willing to argue about them?

I’m not saying we should all start yelling at each other without regard for the others, but it does seem a little paradoxical that you love something so much that you won’t back it up.

That type of ignorance seems to lead to misunderstanding and fear (I’m looking at you immigration reform). Whether literally or figuratively, we can’t just wall ourselves off. Have you heard of The Berlin Wall?

We have become a slander society. When presidential commercials start running during election season, you’ll see the same thing that you always see: politicians ignoring their stances and making personal attacks on their opponents.

This is why religious and political discussions don’t work! The people we choose as our leaders can’t even speak to each other civilly.

It’s never, “This is what my side believes and here are some reasons that it is better than what the other side believes.”

It’s always, “My opponent is clearly Hitler and choosing them will lead to the rise of a new, satanic world order.”