Most people don’t have anything that really resembles real political values or ideals. They self-identify as this or that, and may or may not vote based on same, and may even talk about it an awful lot, but it occupies the same space in their sense of selves as whether or not they like cauliflower or avocado toast.

The argument I actually had today, if one could call it an argument, was about religion. It was more of a disagreement. Someone told me that they think religion/creationism should be taught in public schools. It went pretty much like this:

I think kids should learn both sides.

You mean you believe that Islam should be taught alongside the theory of evolution, which isn’t a theory by the way.

(At which point I was met with a withering gaze.)

So you think that YOUR mythology should be taught alongside evolution?

I think they should hear both sides.

There are a lot more than two sides.

Look, I believe it was a mistake to take God out of schools.

If God is everywhere and all powerful he can’t be taken out of anywhere if he wants to be there.

You know what I mean.

Yah, I do know what you mean. Polio and measles were taken out of public schools too and now religious people are lobbying to bring them back with their “rights” to not vaccinate their kids. And you don’t want all religion taught in school. Just yours.

I’m not talking to you about this.

You brought it up.

So no, it wasn’t an argument at all. It wasn’t even a discussion. Life is too short, at least mine is, to be pressured into “civil discourse” or heaven forbid Hegelian dialectic about shit ideas. Call me pig-headed. Call me closed-minded. Call me whatever, but if you want to have a conversation with me, bring me something worthy of the breath. Bring me something that’s not discriminatory and potentially harmful to other people. Or go find someone who either enjoys arguing or whom you know already you agree with so you can have a little mutual appreciation society.

Thanks.