Lex Lata

I'm not intelligent. Let's get that out in the open right now. One thing that I have noticed recently though, is that as a whole, we are becoming increasingly averse to holding intelligent debate with people who hold differing opinions. It seems that we are quick to stigmatize those with differing viewpoints as ignorant rather than actually offering reasons for why they may be mistaken, or at least why there may be other acceptable viewpoints in the world. I occasionally visit a website with quite an active forum. Some of the "regulars" on that board love to attack people during political or religious discussions. Rather than offering an actual counter argument or reasons why they disbelieve another persons viewpoint, they merely pull the "ignorance card" out and basically assert that they possess some degree of intelligence, clairvoyance, etc... that makes them superior to the rest of the world. It's really sad because it stifles intellectual debate, rather than adds to it.

I make a conscious attempt to watch political shows and read articles whose hosts or authors hold views very different from mine. It doesn't make me perfect, nor does it change my mind often, but at least it gives me the chance to be exposed to other ideas and not become enraged at how "ignorant" others MUST be if they don't believe exactly what I believe (please read sarcasm into that last part, those that don't believe what I believe are probably way ahead of the game!). I think that we all just need to chill out, understand, and accept that no one believes exactly like we do. That would help us all go a long way toward becoming more civil.