A person I interact with on Facebook notes, as a child he was asked to not show up for school when the origins of man were to be discussed, due his believing in evolution.
I wish it were that instead of discouraging someone to show up in such a situation, we would think it neat to have someone with a varied opinion. I think it would be wonderful if we looked at such as an opportunity to learn why others feel as they do, just to be appreciative of the way they feel.
What if we were like this? What if you were in, say, a political group that opposed President Obama and planned to discuss it at an upcoming meeting, and got word that someone ardently in favor of Obama wanted to come and share his views?
"Wonderful, wonderful," you say, as you get word the person is coming. "This will be a chance to understand why some people really like President Obama."
Let's say, you favored or opposed same-sex marriage, and were planning a meeting just to discuss all that was going on with the topic, and got wind someone from the other side wanted to come and address your group.
"What? You have got to be out of your mind!" your friend says, upon hearing the person wants a chance to speak. "This is our meeting. You are telling me they really expect we will let them talk, right in our own meeting."
"Yes and yes, definitely!" you reply. "We will have to limit their speaking time, because we don't want the meeting to go to long. But, it will be wonderful to hear what they have to offer. I just think it a nice opportunity to be friends with them, to sharewith each other why we feel the way we do."
Hmm. This isn't sounding at all like the way we normally (check that -- ever) treat each other.
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