Listverse has a great post today about topics that should never be discussed online. They are so polarizing that they defy agreement. The act of trying to convince someone that you are right and they are wrong is a near impossibility and almost always start some kind of flame war. Both sides usually have excellent arguments that support their positions if they are in anyways intelligent and well read. Personal opinions have been formed over a person's entire life and unless something radical happens (like going to prison and finding 'god') people pretty much maintain their core beliefs about these topics throughout their lives and pass them onto their children. However, if the person you are talking to SHARES your viewpoint on these topics then arguments can be avoided and you can often times gain more knowledge that you can use the next time someone disagrees with what you think. Weeks ago I got my most comments from a post I did about burning the Bible so I know of what I speak. I even lost a couple of good blogging buddies because our viewpoints were so different from one another. I deeply offended people who did not share my point of view. It was no longer a discussion but felt like a personal attack to them. When that level of vitriol is reached its hard to forgive and forget. Check all the verboten topics by following the link below.
RELIGION
"More people have died in the name of God, whatever name that may be, than pretty much all other causes combined. Christian. Muslim. Buddhist. Atheist. Scientologist. No matter the stripe, a surefire way to get EVERYONE mad is to disparage another’s religion or lack thereof. It’s simple, really. Religion or, spirituality if you will, is probably the most intensely personal part of anyone’s being and that includes those who reject religion and spirituality altogether. Also, religion is a family affair. When someone feels his religion is under attack, that attack immediately becomes personal and familial. One push leads to a counter push and the atomic explosion goes off. To make matters worse, some religions have as an integral part a command to proselytize. Also, some people, not from a sense of command, but of desire, will want to proselytize. When that happens, your intensely personal experience collides with another person’s intensely personal experience and the result is a perfect storm of firestorm."
http://listverse.com/2009/11/18/top-10-things-you-should-never-discuss-online/
