craigmcn

A large number of issues have come up in the last week that have challenged my efforts to ignore things. It all brought to mind an issue that has been with me for a long time now: the frustration of extreme arguments.

Ideally, the argument against “Yes” is “No.” And vice versa. But all too often the extreme argument only gets a soft-hearted, moderate response. “Abortion is murder!” “A woman’s health is her business.” “Homosexuality is a sin!” “Live and let live.”

I’m frustrated when I’m faced with an extreme argument and have no response except to say, “Umm… you make a [possibly] reasonable argument, but I don’t agree.” At this, almost invariably, I’m presented with another long list of reasons why I should agree or why the situation exists, but my answer doesn’t change, I still don’t have any rebuttal.

There have been a few times when I’ve had to just stop the discussion altogether because I’m not contributing and really only being berated for my opinion. And other times when I’ve been left speechless by the irrationality of a strong opinion against which I can’t argue because it’s so far outside of what I would expect from otherwise intelligent people.

Today, I may have started something I can’t finish trying to stand against such an irrational, strong opinion, because I’d hate to see the opinion become a de facto policy out of sheer lack of interest. It goes against ignoring things, but I’m trying to be the best I can be.