It's political season and the Internet debates are getting ramped up. I've been known to get into threads with people and start discussing/debating about things like abortion, affordable healthcare, common-sense gun regulations (or the lack thereof). At some point in the conversation though, these days pretty early in the conversation, I get tired. And that's when I'll throw out, "show me proof of your side". If the other person doesn't do that, then I know it's pointless because they're not willing to back up why they believe in something with facts or they
can't. I especially get frustrated when they don't bother to read what I've brought to the discussion. This is illustrated in a number of ways:
1. Any sources I share will be
immediately slammed as being biased (and if I've come prepared with research, I try very hard to use unbiased sources).
2. The other person won't bother to read it simply just because of the URL it comes from.
3. The other person is unwilling to do any reading up on the issue that may disagree with their pre-conceived notions. I feel that if you're truly openminded about something, you'll read up on all side of the subject. It's good to know the opposition. In the past, when presented with sources, I have taken the time to read them. You take the time to find them for me, I will take the time to read them. And yes, my thoughts on certain subjects have changed based on what I've read.
4. The other person doesn't disengage their emotions from the debate. That's usually when the insults come out.
It's got me thinking, how do activists (on either side of any debate) continue on in the face of unwavering opinions and just plain stubbornness and unwillingness to listen and/or have reasonable debate?? Especially when you've gotten to the point that you're doing this as a job - working for a policy house or an organization that fights for a particular issue. Change is ever so slow and sometimes you're taking steps backwards in the hopes that a compromise will clear the way for more progress later.
My thought is that they have faith. Faith that what they are working for is the right thing to do. Faith that their goal is possible. Faith in the future that they envision for their children is not that far off. Faith that their message is being heard and will make it to the people who can make the change, whether it is the change in one person's mind, change in societal norms, or change in policy.
Sometimes faith is all you have to keep you going in a tough fight. But without it, what is to keep people fighting on for their beliefs? Some of the most important changes in the world came about because someone had faith in the ability of the human race to change.
