Taboo topics are learned. Each of us learned from our families, parents,
and communities which topics were off limits. Growing up in suburban
Philadelphia I was taught that the topics of religion, politics, and money were
three topics to leave alone. They were to be avoided so that one did not put
his neighbor, co-worker, family member or friend in the bind of having to choose
between “being right about one’s beliefs” and keeping a friendship intact. It
was a live a let live world in the 1970’s.
Today it is not as easy to avoid those subjects with Twitter, Facebook, and the cable 24/7 world giving so many of us the ability to share our values, opinions, and beliefs. Yet, like most topics, good and civil conversation can always be enlightening and helpful. It is the dose and amount that sometimes becomes unbearable. Some people just have to “be right” or have the last word. I have tried to move away from that approach to life and now work on defining my own beliefs and values so that I can grow and even change when needed.
So, as we continue forward into the 2016 election season that is steeped in an average economy and surrounded by many religions and spiritual beliefs let us move forward with the goal of having genuine heartfelt conversation. If we do then the topics won’t be as “taboo” and maybe more people will engage the political, religious, and economic conversations of the day.
Finally, I want to say that I have decided to not let my friends and families political votes get in the way of me conversing with them and learning from them. So, if you vote for Bernie, Hillary, Trump, or another yet unnamed person then more power to you. I can only hope you will not judge me or let religion, politics, or money conversations be the only way we connect or not connect. Surely, we are one great country and we all need each other more than we know or even admit. We are one nation, indivisible and committed to the goal of liberty and justice to all, and “all” means “all people” regardless of their religious, political, and economic opinions. May the conversations begin and continue!
Today it is not as easy to avoid those subjects with Twitter, Facebook, and the cable 24/7 world giving so many of us the ability to share our values, opinions, and beliefs. Yet, like most topics, good and civil conversation can always be enlightening and helpful. It is the dose and amount that sometimes becomes unbearable. Some people just have to “be right” or have the last word. I have tried to move away from that approach to life and now work on defining my own beliefs and values so that I can grow and even change when needed.
So, as we continue forward into the 2016 election season that is steeped in an average economy and surrounded by many religions and spiritual beliefs let us move forward with the goal of having genuine heartfelt conversation. If we do then the topics won’t be as “taboo” and maybe more people will engage the political, religious, and economic conversations of the day.
Finally, I want to say that I have decided to not let my friends and families political votes get in the way of me conversing with them and learning from them. So, if you vote for Bernie, Hillary, Trump, or another yet unnamed person then more power to you. I can only hope you will not judge me or let religion, politics, or money conversations be the only way we connect or not connect. Surely, we are one great country and we all need each other more than we know or even admit. We are one nation, indivisible and committed to the goal of liberty and justice to all, and “all” means “all people” regardless of their religious, political, and economic opinions. May the conversations begin and continue!
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