Where are my manners?

[athelind]

When did it stop being bad manners to talk about religion and personal belief?

Ninety-nine percent of our problems with polarization and conflict stem from the shift in culture that's made this an acceptable topic of public discourse.

I miss the concept of "boundaries".

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Comments

[leonard-arlotte.livejournal.com]

The cultural shift you mentioned involves a change from discourse, to the assumption that talk about your religion means you are trying to force me to believe your way.

It's a combination of people becoming much thinner skinned, and the need to be absolutely right about everything.

[paka.livejournal.com]

I blame American conservatives.

Christianity as we know it involves telling others about Christianity, because you sincerely want to help your fellows (as well as less noble motivations). Populist movements in conservatism requires a state of constant crisis, in which the conservatives are the proud, the few, the beset on all sides by reduction of their rights at the cost of higher taxes, and therefore need to state their opinions frequently and loudly or they will not be heard at all (this isn't true, but people believe it). And, American right-wingers started off the political trend of name-calling.

The combination of all three of these things in American conservatism results in people who are not silent and who frequently do not feel it is safe to be silent. This prompts a reaction from Americans to the left of Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh, or Ann Coulter - since it's now been made into a crisis situation where American "leftists" do not feel they can afford to be silent. Atheists are a great case example; by definition atheism is sort of a laissez-faire philosophy, but most atheists feel they have to be downright militant about it simply to be heard and acknowledged.

Again, I think "our side" - such as it isn't - is part of the problem, but we damn well didn't start it.

[tombfyre.livejournal.com]

Boundaries are all well and good, but there are a few angles to explore on the subjects. :3 I rather like the idea of no subject being taboo, everything being open to conversation and personal exploration, and generally having everything open to debate and questioning.

However, seeing as that particular subject always manages to get a fellows knickers in a twist, it might be time for a slight revision to social etiquette. For example, asking somebody about their beliefs in order to have a pleasant conversation, should be just fine. Openly *TELLING* people all about your little faith system in an unsolicited manner, or alternately preaching with the intent to force conversion, should of course be seen in a negative light.

Also asking people about their faith as an invitation to preach about your own, should likewise be looked down upon. I personally wouldn't mind at all if people kept their faith between themselves and their god, and stopped bothering the rest of us. :3

[pseudomanitou.livejournal.com]

Wait... when was it ever not discussed?

People 50 years ago would ask what church you go to like they asked for your name. At least today people are not so much in a rush to classify you by religion as they were back then: "Oh, you're Jewish? Martha, please get me my rifle so I can take out this trash."

I'm not sure what kind of cultural shift you are seeing...

[ebony14.livejournal.com]

Didn't Harley Baldwin (aka "Boss") explain to Miss Friday Jones that the most prevalent sign of the decline of a society was the loss of good manners?

[perlandria.livejournal.com]

Because having it NOT discussed led to the kind of social atmosphere that led to monsters like my grandfather. I'll take rudeness that lets pus like that be shown for the otherwise hidden stink it is.

[hafoc.livejournal.com]

To me, it looks like we have a general presumption that we have a right to know everything about everybody under every circumstances. And a moral responsibility to provide said information about ourselves to anyone whether or not they need to know, care to know, want to know. We have a general presumption that publicity is always good and there is no such thing as too much information.

I have heard any number of people saying that "we" (whoever we may be) need to get publicity and explain ourselves to a general public which neither knows nor cares. Why? "Well, you know, we have to explain ourselves." "Why?" (blank stare "Well, you know, we have to explain ourselves..."

I still can't see why anybody should want to give others information they don't need about ANYTHING.

[toob.livejournal.com]

Since when is "because it's good manners" a sufficient reason on its own for doing anything?