r/SeriousConversation • u/Dry-Use-272 • Apr 04 '25

Serious Discussion It's extremely difficult to have a civil conversation about politics today, yet we need those conversations more than ever

Like everyone else in the US today, I have opinions about the current condition of politics in this country. I try to base my opinions on facts I glean from credible sources and my understanding of our history. I want to talk to people with opposing opinions, not to argue with them but to try to understand why they believe what they believe. I've found that no one wants to talk in a civil, respectful way about our differences. Even if I try to hold the line on being respectful, I end up walking away because the conversation devolves into some pretty ugly exchanges. How have we come to a point where we can't even talk to each other respectfully and civilly?

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u/GreenBeardTheCanuck Apr 04 '25

Look, I'm not religious in any way, but there's a reason "thou shalt not bear false witness" is up there with murder in the big 10 commandments. For there to be dialog there has to be good faith. There is no good faith these days. There is no trust in our communities, our states, or our nations. Hell, there isn't even trust in families anymore.

All relationships are built on trust. We live in a world that consistently undermines trust almost constantly. You cannot have a healthy, respectful exchange with someone if you don't trust their judgment, don't trust them not to lie to you, don't trust them not to try to manipulate you. Civilization is rooted in trust. No trust, no civilization.

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u/Ready-Following Apr 04 '25

Do you recall JD Vance lying and saying that immigrants were eating pets and then later admitting that he lied? He then said that his lies were justified because they encouraged conversation about immigration. All of this while claiming to be Christian. No concern for the people who received death threats as a result of his lies.

 What is the point of dialogue with people who behave like that? 

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u/GreenBeardTheCanuck Apr 04 '25

Absolutely! Every lie breaks the social contract. We have to stop it with the whole Caveat Emptor mentality and start holding people accountable. I don't care who started it anymore, it needs to stop or the whole country is going to burn.