Valueless

There’s a rule of thumb, “Don’t talk about politics and religion at dinner conversations”. A chat with someone who works in Qatar reminded me of this principle. The Middle East being a constant source of bad news, I asked how things were over there. Among other things, he remarked that there were intelligent and very religious people there, but ones who were unaware that some of their money was going to fund terrorist groups. He added, “You shouldn’t mix religion with politics.” I couldn’t let that one go. I had to travel down that road with him. He started it.

I suggested that we needed to be more sophisticated in thinking about this principle. Might it be that some who make such statements aren’t really seeking to smooth social interactions? Perhaps their real goal is to exclude whole world views from positions of influence. And really, if you were to stay true to this principle, what you’re really asking is for politicians to govern with no values whatsoever. This in reality is impossible since to assert such a principle is to contradict it at the same time.

In the end, why the whole idea of not talking about politics and religion in the first place? What makes them so special to be singled out as conversation killers? Perhaps it’s because they are concepts which can change your life and those of everyone around you. At least they ought to.

So let’s get on with making a difference and let’s not allow the world tell us to be disintegrated. And let’s all reflect on which values actually shape our everyday decisions and conversations – they’re the ones we truly value.

Image from Internet