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Dialogue about differences of opinion People have differing opinions about many things. Some of them are fairly impersonal (whether a movie is worth seeing, for example, or whether so-and-so is a good teacher). Others are very personal (political, sexual and religious beliefs, for example). That's ok. If we all thought and believed exactly the same things, life would be rather monotonous and predictable. As topics go, same-gender attraction is definitely more personal, because it has to do with the feelings, attractions and behaviours of a person -- in this case, a person whom you know. This does not mean that you and your friend have to have the same beliefs about it. It means that talking about differences of opinion related to same-sex attraction is much more sensitive than discussing your favourite TV show. If your friend is not interested in talking, you need to respect his or her wishes. If your friend does want to talk about it but you do not have the same views, dialogue rather than argue, remembering that your friendship is always more important than "winning the argument." Dialogue involves the following: * listening to the other person's beliefs, and asking questions about them in order to better understand; * expressing your own beliefs and explaining them clearly; * deciding what you can agree on; * agreeing to disagree about things you can't agree on. Dialogue does NOT involve arguing and trying to force the other person to agree with you. You have the right to believe what you want to believe, whether or not there is evidence to support your beliefs. Your friend or acquaintance has the same rights, whether or not there is evidence to support those beliefs. Treating others with respect involves giving them that freedom. |
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