Reason #1: I don't want to discuss these issues because I don't think they matter.What certain people believed mattered to many on September 11, 2001 in plainly visible ways. If this is possible, then maybe it is possible for people to be affected in ways that are not immediately observable by what they or others believe. It just doesn't make sense to simply assume otherwise. Reason #2: I don't want to discuss these issues because I think such things are unknowable.On what basis could we say these things are unknowable? Wouldn't we have to have an exhaustive knowledge of all the available evidence to make such a statement? If we do not claim to be all-knowing, why not at least consider the possibility? If we do not have answers it doesn't mean none can be found. Reason #3: I don't want to discuss these issues because I have more important things to do.Many of us live in an industrialized society where everyone is so busy doing so many important things that other pursuits are difficult to contemplate. Of course we all have important things to do, and we ought not suggest that one should abandon all other concerns in order to investigate these issues. To suggest that we always have more important things to do, however, is in effect to say it's a waste of time. Also, if we don't understand their significance, it wouldn't make sense to simply assume they have none. Reason #4: I don't want to discuss these issues because I don't want to argue.What people tend to mean when they use the term "argue" no doubt involves communicating in a way that is not kind or respectful. The problem is not with the subject matter--it's with the ways in which people communicate. The solution, therefore, is not to silence the discussion. Instead, people need to work on their communication skills. Reason #5: I don't want to discuss these issues because I don't think I have anything to gain by doing so.It is true that we may not gain anything in an immediately visible sense. In fact, the opposite may be true. We may lose something in an immediately visible sense. The question is, what is ultimately best for our well-being and that of others? It doesn't make sense to simply assume we have nothing to gain by a serious investigation of these matters. Reason #6: I don't want to discuss these issues because I think what one believes is a personal matter and therefore it should not be discussed with others.If what people believe is vital to their well-being, all refusing to discuss these things with others accomplishes is the promotion of ignorance and the status quo. Although it's not always appropriate to discuss such issues, a refusal to do so in any situation simply because these things are "personal" will not benefit anyone. Reason #7: I don't want to discuss these issues because I am uncomfortable doing so.Whether or not we're comfortable discussing something is irrelevant to its importance. Also, if we only do what's comfortable all the time we generally do not accomplish anything of lasting significance. Reason #8: I don't want to discuss these issues because some people believe some things are true and others are false, which I think is arrogant.What is arrogant about this? Since we have to arrive at conclusions in order to make progress with respect to temporal things, why wouldn't this be true for things of eternal importance? Furthermore, if people arrive at different conclusions regarding a particular issue, it doesn't necessarily mean that none of them are correct, or that it is impossible to legitimately arrive at a conclusion. Also, how can we say it's arrogant if we don't know how someone arrived at their conclusion in the first place? Reason #9: I don't want to discuss these issues because I am happy with what I believe and I think that's all that matters.Being happy with what one believes doesn't make it true or beneficial. Rather, we should seek to believe what is true and beneficial and then be happy with that. Reason #10: I don't want to discuss these issues because I was raised in a certain tradition of beliefs and I don't think I should question them.If we hold to our tradition for the sake of our tradition, are we not acting as if our temporal relationships with others are more important than our eternal well-being and that of others? Also, how can we have any confidence in our own tradition if we are unaware of what it's responses are to the objections of other traditions or what it's objections to other traditions are? Where would you like to go now? Click here to go to the MEGAQUESTIONS.COM home page. Click here to go to the MEGAQUESTIONS blog. Click here to go to the BibleIssues blog. Click here to go to the Religious Controversies blog. Click here |