Discussion is good, and I encourage it. It will always come to a point where we will have differing opinions on even the tiniest issue, and we can and should seek to enlighten those around us so that we can agree if we choose.
I am a verbally political person in that I am not afraid to state my beliefs loud and clear. I served a mission for the LDS church for two years and endured many extraordinarily difficult things for my beliefs. I was accused of everything under the sun, from being a Satan worshiper, to being a liar, and even to being a spy. These were all people that I had dedicated my time to help have a happier life, but they refused to see it that way. I shared the exact same knowledge with everyone. But many desired that I not so much as converse with them because of my religious affiliation.
Other people really didn't want to listen to my message either, but they did want to feel loved. They would rough it out through my myriad attempts to help them understand the universe in a light more similar to my own and feed my companions and I delicious lunches and snacks in the process, frequently sacrificing their skimpy funds in order to do so. They overcame their prejudices against "los mormones" chasing people down in the streets and found within themselves the great love that we all have deep down one for another, and they acted on it. In return, we would wake up early in the morning and put on grubby clothes to get on their unfinished roofs and help them to lay a cement ceiling for their home. We would go to their shops, give them of our business day in and day out, help them receive shipments and meet new people as we sat on bags of dog food eating sandwiches. They invited us to meet their families, and to this day I hold very precious and sacred those times and people. They are part of my family, now. I learned that by giving of my might, mind, strength and soul to those who affirm that they never will accept my teachings, I can forge lasting friendships with those people, and I wouldn't exchange those relationships for any money or gift possible to receive in this world or the next.
I believe in Jesus Christ, and that the LDS church is His religious organization. I will stand to that belief until I meet Him face to face. It is not a perfect knowledge that this is true, but a firm and steadfast belief indeed (double entendre intended). You don't have to. There is a lot of good in a lot of different organizations that agree to disagree with us. I do expect you to come to grips with one irrefutable truth, however. Brotherly and neighborly love is the most fulfilling of all qualities, especially when it is mutual.
"1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity."
--1 Corinthians 13
Here, Paul teaches us the same, that charity is even more important than knowledge and the ability to prophesy, more than giving all that we have to the poor without truly caring for them. Charity rejoices in truth, so when a charitable person discovers truth he/she embraces it, and learns to cope with the consequences. Even so, when someone who might be less charitable rejects a truth, he/she will continue to love and cherish that unbeliever because "charity never faileth" and "seeketh not her own".
This is very difficult to do when emotions are high, something that it extremely normal for religious/political discussions because if one is proven wrong it creates cognitive dissonance and large amounts of stress in his/her psyche. It's not fun or easy to deal with, and I am still learning to remember that I love those with whom I disagree. As I do good for them, agree or disagree, we both come closer to Christ because we avoid the spirit of contention, which is not of the Lord.
So today, when you go on to your Facebook or Twitter feed, and you see a post that defiles what you think is true (whether it be political or religious or otherwise,) instead of reacting in the common way of retaliation and spite or arguing, try to find within yourself charity. "Pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love..." (Moroni 7:48). Ask them how they are doing. Spend time wishing them well, and if you live close by, go out and get some ice cream with them and catch up on old times. If they are vegan and don't like to eat ice cream, go out and eat something that they would despite your affection for bacon. Remember that you do love them, and act accordingly. Remember that you love truth as well, and that your mind and body will fight you along the way as you treat with kindness and respect what they will label as an idiot. Their mind and body will do the same. It's a natural defense mechanism.
Though I am totally imperfect in this regard, the times that I have done it I have noticed that it was worth my time and effort. It takes practice. Are you willing to make the necessary change?
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