Random soapbox moment...

[reprobayt]

*steps on soapbox*

It's sad, but we now live in a world where there is no such thing as a difference of opinion or differing views, only demagoguery.

If you believe in a particular religion, opinion or political party, there is no such thing as "agree to disagree" or "respecting others' opinion" - it's "burn the land and salt the ground".

People who disagree with your religious, political or lifestyle stance no longer seem to have the freedom of speech (and opinion) that, in most cases, you say you are fighting for - as if their rights are less important than yours.

We now live in a world where conflict is more honored than respect.

Sad.

*steps off soapbox*

Comments

[tygerlilly.livejournal.com]

I agree completely and see this on mutual friendslist comments all the time, or saying nasty things about their own "friends" without saying their names purely on the basis of beliefs and political stances. - Did any of that make sense?

[yendi]

I'm not sure I see this as anything recent. I happened on a national level back in the late '80s, as all sides of the political spectrum (ACT-UP and the environmental lobby on the left, the NRA and the anti-choice lobby on the right) starting using vitriol as a primary weapon, and I think it seeped its way into the state of discourse pretty quickly (which isn't to say it wasn't there before -- remember Buckley and Vidal? -- but it was always the notable exception then). It's certainly continued to ramp up recently (9/11 didn't exactly help on the religious front).

That said, on the LJ front (which is more what I'm assuming you're addressing), I see (and make) a lot of hyperbole, but that's the nature of journaling. I know I have my share of folks with whom I disagree regularly in my LJ (amokk and dwivian come to mind immediately, but there are plenty of others), and I see plenty of good debate elsewhere, as well. But given the nature of journals (which, as has been pointed out before, are inherently all about us), I also see why some level of disagreement might get shot down. Of course, given the nautre of LJ, that also means that everyone else can (and does) post their opinions in their own LJ as well.

Out of curiosity, have you read this thread??

[chichilady.livejournal.com]

This is so true. What scares me is that it is firmly in our public schools. Justin had a budget assigment. Each student was to break down their budget by percentage. In his words, he was "on trial" by the other students, for giving 0% to the church.
Related to that, using the "Lord's name in vein" is punishable by dentention in a public school. Who determined which deity is the correct one? Would "oh my buddah?", or "holy goddess?" still earn detention, or condemnation by your peers?

[reprobayt.livejournal.com]

Sadly, I fear that things will only get worse. And I don't see a glimmer of hope for things changing.

[supremegoddess.livejournal.com]

::nods::
And in addition, if you are going to keep the mindset of "I'm right and you're wrong" simply because of what political party you "belong" to, you're an idiot.

And don't even think of complaining about the country going to hell in a handbasket because of a politician when you DIDN'T BOTHER TO VOTE in the first damned place. Register and vote...then maybe you have a right to complain.