Religion and Politics

People are passionate about many things, but two things are certain: religion and politics. Folks know what they believe. And while some are willing to state their beliefs candidly, others tend to keep their thoughts to themselves. But why is that? Is it out of formality? Is it an attempt to avoid conflict? Or is it merely a public relations move to avoid irresponsible judgment that could possibly prevent relationship development, personally or professionally? Maybe just a fear of judgment itself?

There was a time in my life when I would publically state my beliefs. These statements, however, were not ones of pride, but of arrogance and ignorance. My beliefs were “right,” and I was confident of such. As a result, I was quick to lose not only my ability to see, but to hear as well. I was so focused on being “right” that I didn’t stop to question the reasons why, much less learn about others’ beliefs and the reasons for them. It was as if I had a product to sell, and was going to convince you to buy it…or at least admit it was the best one on the market.

Since then, my statements have turned into questions. Questions allow me to learn; to better understand beliefs, behaviors and actions. They also allow me to assess the situation with regard to my own disclosure and whether it will serve as a similar learning tool for another in a dialogue or just trigger a sales pitch and sermon. Unfortunately, I have heard more sermons from those with differing beliefs than I’ve had discussions. I truly believe that once we acknowledge the existence of multiple truths, greater solutions will evolve. The difficult part, however, is getting past the passion; the blinding truth.

So, in an age where self-disclosure is not limited to dialogue, is it wise to do so without explanation? Is the one-line Facebook entry regarding religion and politics a statement for judgment, true or false, or simply a means of truth? What liberal means to one, however, may not mean liberal to another. If someone claims Catholicism, is it an actual belief or one that is followed blindly from upbringing? To the person who claims it, I guess the answer shouldn’t matter.

When I first started my Facebook Profile, I left these two items blank. I thought that I was doing so to prevent false judgment from those I work with professionally; an allowance to judge me strictly on direct interactions. However, now I wonder if it was an action to avoid judgment in general, resulting in possible rejection? So I ask; is it smarter to avoid disclosure of beliefs that, for better or worse, tend to trigger a passionate response, positive or negative, when trying to create a level playing field for productivity and understanding? Or is it simply just a dismissal of self which ultimately leads to misunderstanding?