Can't we all just disagree?

 It's quite nice to have a thoughtful, meaningful conversation with someone you disagree with. The problem is those kinds of conversations don't always happen. They don't happen nearly enough. As nice as those conversations are, they aren't something a lot of us can pull off. Or care to. I'm convinced it's a sickliness.  

If we can't disagree without insulting one another, don't we risk our compassion? Why does someone disagreeing with us upset us so much? And doesn't that anger often turn into resentment? Then what? Name calling and derogatory remarks only deepen our separation.  

Differing opinions could be a feature to our relationships. They don't have to be a detriment.  

Someone in an online group was preparing for an upcoming Bible study. The study featured the teaching of a respected Bible teacher. Excitement and worry filled the study leader because of one lesson in particular. Actually, one opinion. In the lesson, the Bible teacher shared an opinion the study leader knew a class member would disagree with. The leader asked for advice on how to explain away the teacher's opinion so as not to upset the class member. It was as if the entire class would be ruined.  

My question was why wouldn't you let the opposing opinions sit with each other? Are we that incapable of dealing with the discomfort?  

I wonder if part of our issue is that we've let our disagreement turn us into scoffers. That's a word Proverbs uses: Drive out a scoffer, and strife goes out; quarreling and abuse will cease (Proverbs 22:10). The scoffer loves ridicule and mockery. Not of themselves or what they think is important, of course. Scoffers only truly hear their opinions. Chances are, they're the ones that instigate and sustain quarreling and abuse.   

Oh, we wouldn't call ourselves scoffers, by the way. That's what those wretched souls on the other side are.  

If we can only stand to hear what we believe, we aren't adding meaning to our conversations. Nothing significant to our relationships. Thankfully, the opposite is just as true. When we learn to listen to one another we grow in wisdom. We may not agree with each other, but we can better understand each other. And that may be more important that getting anyone to agree with you.

Stay blessed...john