Why do we as a society....

Question

I realize this is CC, where (mostly) anything goes, and I'm not complaining, I'm just genuinely curious and want others opinions.

I think there is a difference between defending your opinion/belief/choices, and trying to convince/convert/force someone else to agree with you. I am all for standing up for what you believe in, and defending what you are passionate about. But when someone disagrees with you, and their opinion/belief/choices do not affect you or anyone else's life other than their own (or their child's), why do we as society try to convince/convert/force them to agree with us?

I know personally when I am in a heated discussion/debate with someone about something I am passionate about, I probably get carried away and sound as if I am trying to make the person agree with me, although my intentions are not that. They are usually to try to make the person understand why I feel/believe/choose what I do. So I guess it's possible that is what happens and it just comes off as if they are trying to convince/convert/force the person to agree, but I'd be willing to bet more often than not, that majority of society intends to try and change the persons opinion/beliefs/choices.

What are your thoughts?

Answer

Only time I try to "force" my opinions on someone is vaccines and that's because their child can affect my child and that's not a risk I'm willing to accept.

Answer

I think that when we're passionate about something, we tend to fiercely defend it. Personally, I sometimes try to get people to UNDERSTAND my point of view, even if they don't agree. Maybe that comes off as trying to convince or convert, but that's usually not my intention.

Answer

I know what you're talking about and I agree. A lot of people seem to want to change your opinions when they believe something strongly.

Once, on my way out of the college campus after class, I was stopped by a guy who was preaching (apparently the school had invited him and his two partners there?). He did the whole "do you believe in god" speech and I listened to him. But once I told him I was a Witch, he got aggressively preachy and no matter what I said, he told me I was wrong. As far as these types of conversations go, it WAS relatively civil. So I can't complain. But it grinds my beans when I'll sit there and listen to someone's opinions and then when I try and tell them mine, they flip out and try to convince me that I'm wrong and they're right.

I think it's a superiority complex people have.

Answer

I don't know. I will puah back- hard- when I am trying to get a point across, and I know I can get incredibly passionate and verbose, but I would never try to actually force someone to share my beliefs. Consider my point of view, absolutely. But I am not going to go around trying to convert people to agnosticism or to believe that waffles should be their own food group or that cats are jerks. I can have a good spirited debate, but when someone brings my character into question because of what I (don't) believe, we are going to have a problem.

Answer

It's not a fight until a debate turns sour. I don't mind debating, it's a good way to get new information and study it for yourself. It's when someone gets sarcastic or becomes a ass that it's no longer a tool.

Answer

I think, as you said, some people are very passionate about their beliefs that they often cannot understand how people could not agree with them. I think we need to understand and admire people's individuality, views, beliefs and even how they express themselves!!

Answer

if i feel passionately about something i'll try to explain it in a way that someone can understand why i believe in that certain thing. if i, as a sane person, see that the conversation or discussion isn't going anywhere, i'm willing to agree to disagree. my biggest thing especially in this community, is to learn the thought process of other people's choices and to hopefully make mine clear as well.

Answer

Because people like to argue? Because people hate to be "wrong"? Because people think they're making a difference? Because people think they change other's beliefs and views so they'll be "right"? I don't know Mia, I truly am not sure.

Answer

I dunno about forcing someone to agree with you. That's just stupid people won't listen.

For me it's about making people see another perspective and trying to understand theirs. I think if you sincerly hold a belief you shouldn't care how much people question it because you should have the answers and they should be robust answers, and if you don't surely people asking questions will either strengthen your belief or make you question it's validity. Either way, to be agressive towards people who question shows close mindedness and insecurity.

Why do we as a society....

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