Foundational Differences

Foundational Differences

A woman wrote me the other day, trying to get me to debate my beliefs.

She’s bothered by my positions and clearly wants to “swing me” to her side.

I was watching reels of Charlie Kirk and the finesse with which he argued his points.

He understood his positions, had the facts to back them up, and while he listened to the person on the other end of the mic, he didn’t budge from his foundation.

What I also noticed is that those who argued the most, those who wanted to convince Kirk he was wrong, walked away disappointed.

No one’s mind was changed.

This elusive “open discussion” was not fruitful for either party.

The audience learned a lot.

But because of foundational differences, the two debaters left seemingly unchanged.

The woman seeking to “discuss” my “wrong” ideas with me, accused me of “gaslighting, instigating, clickbaiting, and misleading people.”

She said much worse and then wonders why I refuse to get into a “debate” with her.

I’m an old guy.

For 66 plus years, I’ve navigated this planet.

I spent 30-some years in the news business and close to 20, marketing online.

I ran for statewide public office in 2008.

I’ve learned a few things about life, conversations, debates, and foundational differences.

There are some arguments you can’t win.

When the two parties' foundations are at odds, a productive conversation is unlikely.

When challenged by well-meaning people, I’ve tried to steer away from debate that usually turns into an argument, which digresses into insults and ends in hard feelings.

I grew up without a voice.

Using that voice now is not a hobby or a clickbait tool.

Using my voice is foundational for me.

It’s part of who I am.

Remember the woman challenger I was talking about at the beginning of this article?

I said to the woman something about morality, to which she said, “Whose morality?”

My answer stopped the conversation dead in its tracks; that was not my intent.

My answer revealed a non-negotiable difference.

My answer, while I’m confident in it, is not a judgment of I’m right and you’re wrong.

That’s not my job.

My answer to the question “Whose Morality?” was…..God’s.

The replies stopped.

The debate ended.

The search for unity….. dead air on her part.

It is not my job, nor is it yours, to convince anyone of anything.

Our job is to love people, speak the truth as we see it, and follow Gods lead.

None of us responds to forced conversations.

Sometimes you just leave it alone and understand the foundational differences will not change, and that’s okay.