“Do not discuss religion or politics at the dinner table (or anywhere else for that matter). Keep the peace. Stay comfortable. Talk about the weather.” ~The Vertical Dispatch. Parenthetical addition: me.
I vaguely recall hearing this particular bit of “sage” social etiquette throughout my life…and I’m NOT AT ALL sorry for ignoring it.
I never understood it. I never believed it. And when I asked “why not?” after being chided for daring to broach any and all of the above societal taboo topics, I never got an answer other than, “because we just don’t talk about those things”. Seriously?! WTF is that about? I mean, how on earth are people supposed to know anything about anything or any one? I think it’s absurd. I’m thankful I never felt the need to constrain myself, simply on the basis of, “because”.
I like where you are going with this ..."the ego operating in fear. And fear, as the foundation of both religious identity and political identity, produces the same result every time: the tribal god and the partisan flag become instruments of the same psychological function — the management of anxiety through belonging." ... and likely why religion keeps mixing with politics.
“Do not discuss religion or politics at the dinner table (or anywhere else for that matter). Keep the peace. Stay comfortable. Talk about the weather.” ~The Vertical Dispatch. Parenthetical addition: me.
I vaguely recall hearing this particular bit of “sage” social etiquette throughout my life…and I’m NOT AT ALL sorry for ignoring it.
I never understood it. I never believed it. And when I asked “why not?” after being chided for daring to broach any and all of the above societal taboo topics, I never got an answer other than, “because we just don’t talk about those things”. Seriously?! WTF is that about? I mean, how on earth are people supposed to know anything about anything or any one? I think it’s absurd. I’m thankful I never felt the need to constrain myself, simply on the basis of, “because”.
My life is richer for it.
Nice to see this topic taboo being discussed.
Thank you for your reply
I like where you are going with this ..."the ego operating in fear. And fear, as the foundation of both religious identity and political identity, produces the same result every time: the tribal god and the partisan flag become instruments of the same psychological function — the management of anxiety through belonging." ... and likely why religion keeps mixing with politics.
Looking forward to more of your work.