Respect
Respect
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*sigh*
After reading yet another series of the typical “Republicans are _______” and “Democrats are _______”, I was going to respond in support of one individual who was stating that just because you’re against one idea doesn’t mean you are for another, but it would likely be seen as an attack on the individual making the claim in the first place.
All too often I see individuals on here who brand an entire group of people because they don't share the same ideology or belief on a particular subject as they do. It doesn't matter if it is a political, religious, or social belief/ideology, they want to portray those that don't believe as they do as the intolerant ones.
This isn’t something confined to those who believe one side of a topic either as it appears in almost all types of discussion topics. While there are truly some heinous beliefs, I don't see anyone on RallyPoint trying to argue the benefits of human sacrifice or population control through mass execution of children.
It's not about having a conversation regarding the positives and negatives about a view for many. For them it's mostly about how "you suck more than I do" and for many others it’s become a partisan game. For both groups, their enjoyment seems to be leaving a flaming bag of partisan rhetoric on the social media porch, ringing the bell, and watching someone react to it. For some, it seems that the only enjoyment they are able to gain from social media is reaffirming that they have worth by portraying those they don’t agree with as not having any redeeming qualities.
Some really do believe in their hearts that everyone who supports _________ is a _________. There's a name for those that are obstinately or intolerantly devoted to their own opinions and prejudices and who regards members of another group with hatred and intolerance.
It’s bigot.
That’s not to say a policy or action is immune to criticism – complaining about something a politician does or a restriction they imposed is one of the greatest American pastimes. However, people supporting Biden don’t do it because of what YOU think, they do it for their own reasons. Perhaps it’s because they believe his social views or his approach to economic items - for a great many, it’s because he’s not ‘the other guy’. Likewise, people supporting Trump don’t do it because of what YOU think, they do it for their own reasons. Perhaps it’s because they believe his economic views or his approach to social items - for a great many it’s because he’s not ‘the other guy’.
I do get it, I do. For a large majority, ideology is tribal, a “Us vs Them” mentality, where they truly believe “If you’re not with me, you’re against me”.
I spent a large part of my military career in Information Operations and one saying sticks out that is applicable – “Perception is reality, but reality is not perception”. For many, their view on something is their own reality, but that doesn’t mean it IS reality.
I’m sure there are some that do support someone or something for the most negative of reasons, but if you truly believe that everyone, or even most, in a group of supporters do it for the most negative reasons you can attribute to them, then you are the intolerant one, not them.
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Respect - https://www.rallypoint.com/status-updates/8103610
After reading yet another series of the typical “Republicans are _______” and “Democrats are _______”, I was going to respond in support of one individual who was stating that just because you’re against one idea doesn’t mean you are for another, but it would likely be seen as an attack on the individual making the claim in the first place.
All too often I see individuals on here who brand an entire group of people because they don't share the same ideology or belief on a particular subject as they do. It doesn't matter if it is a political, religious, or social belief/ideology, they want to portray those that don't believe as they do as the intolerant ones.
This isn’t something confined to those who believe one side of a topic either as it appears in almost all types of discussion topics. While there are truly some heinous beliefs, I don't see anyone on RallyPoint trying to argue the benefits of human sacrifice or population control through mass execution of children.
It's not about having a conversation regarding the positives and negatives about a view for many. For them it's mostly about how "you suck more than I do" and for many others it’s become a partisan game. For both groups, their enjoyment seems to be leaving a flaming bag of partisan rhetoric on the social media porch, ringing the bell, and watching someone react to it. For some, it seems that the only enjoyment they are able to gain from social media is reaffirming that they have worth by portraying those they don’t agree with as not having any redeeming qualities.
Some really do believe in their hearts that everyone who supports _________ is a _________. There's a name for those that are obstinately or intolerantly devoted to their own opinions and prejudices and who regards members of another group with hatred and intolerance.
It’s bigot.
That’s not to say a policy or action is immune to criticism – complaining about something a politician does or a restriction they imposed is one of the greatest American pastimes. However, people supporting Biden don’t do it because of what YOU think, they do it for their own reasons. Perhaps it’s because they believe his social views or his approach to economic items - for a great many, it’s because he’s not ‘the other guy’. Likewise, people supporting Trump don’t do it because of what YOU think, they do it for their own reasons. Perhaps it’s because they believe his economic views or his approach to social items - for a great many it’s because he’s not ‘the other guy’.
I do get it, I do. For a large majority, ideology is tribal, a “Us vs Them” mentality, where they truly believe “If you’re not with me, you’re against me”.
I spent a large part of my military career in Information Operations and one saying sticks out that is applicable – “Perception is reality, but reality is not perception”. For many, their view on something is their own reality, but that doesn’t mean it IS reality.
I’m sure there are some that do support someone or something for the most negative of reasons, but if you truly believe that everyone, or even most, in a group of supporters do it for the most negative reasons you can attribute to them, then you are the intolerant one, not them.
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Respect - https://www.rallypoint.com/status-updates/8103610
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Respect
Political Opinions
Edited 6 mo ago
Posted 6 mo ago
Responses: 22
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While there may come a time when there’s more unity on RP regarding particular topics, that may not be for awhile. You just can’t get people to not hate Trump or Biden at this time. A devastating occurrence nationwide—foreign attack, another Depression —would unite Americans minds onto something more important— like survival. But for now, it is what it is. From the actions taken and results observed, it appears that there is no redeeming value to the current-day DNC and most Democrat leaders ; note that every decision coming out of the White House seems geared to weaken and tank the United States—in both foreign and domestic matters. That’s a fearful thing.
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COL Randall C.
Sgt (Join to see) - In that case, I would ask is how can you be sure that everything you know is what is shown to you by God and what is from your own opinion based on the information that you have taken in, which may include even having been shown the truth by God but ignoring the signs.
While God may show you the truth, he doesn't force you to obey that truth. We often rationalize away what we know to be right with what is convenient, popular or in line with what we want to believe.
History is full of examples where Godly individuals did things that were wrong because they listened to themselves over listening to God.
While God may show you the truth, he doesn't force you to obey that truth. We often rationalize away what we know to be right with what is convenient, popular or in line with what we want to believe.
History is full of examples where Godly individuals did things that were wrong because they listened to themselves over listening to God.
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Sgt (Join to see)
COL Randall C. By faith in and trust in God, we can believe He will show us truth and then how to act on it. He’s against evil, so everyone must determine WHAT is evil— which the Word can give us understanding of.
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COL Randall C.
Sgt (Join to see) - Taking what you said as true, then human nature must be at play for why all Christians aren't following what God says.
Surveys differ by a few points, but roughly 67% to 70% of the country identifies as Christian. Some are Catholic, some Protestant, and some are non-denominational. While there may be more "religiously unaffiliated" in the Democratic party and more "evangelical Protestants" in the Republican party, both parties hold some degree of all categories of Christians/non-Christians.
Does that mean that God only reveals the truth to those on the Republican side or does it mean that only Democrats ignore what they know to be true? Shouldn't the Democrat Christians (evangelical Protestants, non-evangelical Protestants, Catholics, etc.) also know what the truth is and how to act on it? Short of God not revealing the truth to Democrats, the question then turns to why one would think that only Democrats ignore the truth God has given them?
Surveys differ by a few points, but roughly 67% to 70% of the country identifies as Christian. Some are Catholic, some Protestant, and some are non-denominational. While there may be more "religiously unaffiliated" in the Democratic party and more "evangelical Protestants" in the Republican party, both parties hold some degree of all categories of Christians/non-Christians.
Does that mean that God only reveals the truth to those on the Republican side or does it mean that only Democrats ignore what they know to be true? Shouldn't the Democrat Christians (evangelical Protestants, non-evangelical Protestants, Catholics, etc.) also know what the truth is and how to act on it? Short of God not revealing the truth to Democrats, the question then turns to why one would think that only Democrats ignore the truth God has given them?
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Colonel, I truly believe that politics are like fish, they start to smell bad quite quickly. I try not to express my opinions on Rally Point, not because of fear of being called a bigot, but out of respect for my fellow men and women.
And that being said, I read a lot of the posts and form my own opinions which I see best kept to myself. Who am I to judge another mans thought? If you are a human being, you will at sometime or another form an opinion, whether it be religious, political or the cost of the air we breathe. It is only human nature but we must learn to control our impulses to blurt out the first thing that comes to mind.
Social media, in my opinion, has given those who feel unheard a platforms to grip-e and moan about things other people really don't want to hear about from them. A poor excuse for free speech and some are just not capable of forming a reasonable idea or thought.
It is my intent to continue to be in the background, read the many posts and keep my opinions and comments to myself. Then I can argue the merits of the topic without giving offense.
Peace be with you.
And that being said, I read a lot of the posts and form my own opinions which I see best kept to myself. Who am I to judge another mans thought? If you are a human being, you will at sometime or another form an opinion, whether it be religious, political or the cost of the air we breathe. It is only human nature but we must learn to control our impulses to blurt out the first thing that comes to mind.
Social media, in my opinion, has given those who feel unheard a platforms to grip-e and moan about things other people really don't want to hear about from them. A poor excuse for free speech and some are just not capable of forming a reasonable idea or thought.
It is my intent to continue to be in the background, read the many posts and keep my opinions and comments to myself. Then I can argue the merits of the topic without giving offense.
Peace be with you.
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Guilty as charged. The only thing I would say in my defense your Honor is that I rarely start the fight (i.e., write the post firing the first round), but I am more than happy to jump in the fight. The 'reasonableness' of my response many times depends on the bigotry (using your word) expressed by the poster towards the ideological group that I belong to.
Are all Democrats disgusting perverts who want nothing to do but destroy the country? Of course not. Are some? Probably. There probably are some Republicans that can be described as such as well. Same goes for racists, supremacists (not necessarily the same as racists), sexists, or a whole host of other descriptors.
I am more than happy to have a reasoned discussion about something using facts and figures to back it up, but when (as normally happens), the other party in the discussion devolves into calling me a racist, inhumane, a false Christian, or something else because I don't agree with them, then I do feed the trolls.
Want to have a discussion about the pros/cons of the border? I'm right there, but when's the last time you saw that happen? Mostly it comes down to accusations about how one party is just trying to bring in future voters and to turn the country into the world's welfare system and the other party is nothing but racists who hate all migrants.
I agree completely with you Colonel - we've become very tribal in our politics. But, as you point out in another response, we shouldn't be because every political group has varying degrees of opinions about a multitude of issues.
I'm sure that many will say they completely agree with you and turn right around and post something about how everyone in some group sharing the same negative trait which in turn will have others respond about how everyone in the poster's group has other negative traits. For myself, I'll take the reminder to embrace the civility that we would show if we were face to face. Although, because we sit behind a computer screen, some feel free to say things that would get a punch in the mouth if said in person.
I do have to remind myself at times before I give in to my first reaction to come out fighting and respond to something - why do I really care what this nimrod thinks or the way they expressed their bigoted views (again, using your words)? As you said below - just move on. That doesn't happen all the time (sometimes first reactions win out), but when it does - if the post is how they feel good about themselves, then let them have it. The post is only relevant for as long as the page is on browser.
P.S. Based on your comment, I would have to venture it was SFC Casey O'Mally making the "just because you’re against one idea doesn’t mean you are for another" comment.
Are all Democrats disgusting perverts who want nothing to do but destroy the country? Of course not. Are some? Probably. There probably are some Republicans that can be described as such as well. Same goes for racists, supremacists (not necessarily the same as racists), sexists, or a whole host of other descriptors.
I am more than happy to have a reasoned discussion about something using facts and figures to back it up, but when (as normally happens), the other party in the discussion devolves into calling me a racist, inhumane, a false Christian, or something else because I don't agree with them, then I do feed the trolls.
Want to have a discussion about the pros/cons of the border? I'm right there, but when's the last time you saw that happen? Mostly it comes down to accusations about how one party is just trying to bring in future voters and to turn the country into the world's welfare system and the other party is nothing but racists who hate all migrants.
I agree completely with you Colonel - we've become very tribal in our politics. But, as you point out in another response, we shouldn't be because every political group has varying degrees of opinions about a multitude of issues.
I'm sure that many will say they completely agree with you and turn right around and post something about how everyone in some group sharing the same negative trait which in turn will have others respond about how everyone in the poster's group has other negative traits. For myself, I'll take the reminder to embrace the civility that we would show if we were face to face. Although, because we sit behind a computer screen, some feel free to say things that would get a punch in the mouth if said in person.
I do have to remind myself at times before I give in to my first reaction to come out fighting and respond to something - why do I really care what this nimrod thinks or the way they expressed their bigoted views (again, using your words)? As you said below - just move on. That doesn't happen all the time (sometimes first reactions win out), but when it does - if the post is how they feel good about themselves, then let them have it. The post is only relevant for as long as the page is on browser.
P.S. Based on your comment, I would have to venture it was SFC Casey O'Mally making the "just because you’re against one idea doesn’t mean you are for another" comment.
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LTC Trent Klug
Well stated John. I was going to say something along these lines, but knew I wouldn't be able to say it anywhere near as well as you did or do.
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1SG Joseph Dartey
John, when you do make a comment, you post statistics to prove your point which is something a lot of people don't do. I applaud you for that!
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