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Opinion

Religious debate should be encouraged

Austin Havican
Opinion Columnist

Lately, it seems like the conversations at most parties I've been to have been pretty uninteresting; "Do you still work at that place? When do you graduate? Did you see that movie last weekend?" The answers to all of these questions are predictable, pointless and just plain boring.

It's not that the people at the parties are uninteresting, or that there is nothing interesting to talk about -- the fact that we're afraid to talk openly is what's ruining the art of conversation.

We tend to skirt around the issues that are close to us for fear of offending someone or for the lonely feeling of having people mad at us for something we shouldn't have said. We've been taught to never criticize the institutions that someone else may take personally. In effect, the issues of politics, sociology and, most importantly, religion are simply locked away and not to be discussed.

With the current political polarity of the United States, both criticism and praise of the government have become more noticeable in informal discussions between students. Arguments on dissatisfaction with our nation's leaders are acceptable, encouraged and, of course, interesting.

However, the notion that we should never question someone's religious beliefs, discuss the possibility or impossibility of the existence of a god, or openly criticize the way a church acts as a tax-free business is still ingrained within us. Because spirituality is often very personal and frequently does the most to direct a person's life and choices, bringing that belief into the limelight for examination usually does not go over very well.

But that doesn't mean we shouldn't do it.

If, for example, someone believes very strongly in the Flying Spaghetti Monster and considers him or herself a Pastafarian (www.venganza.org), he or she should be very open to discussing the existence, policies and following of that deity. Even though religious conversations tend to become heated, people should never be offended if their faith is as strong as they claim it to be.

Being polite should never take a backseat to asking someone why their church is allowed to interfere with science in the classroom. And at the other end of the spectrum, worrying that someone will not take you seriously because you're wearing a hijab should not stop you from trying to prove your god knows best.

The fact that the belief in a god or gods has such a hold over someone's life should be enough support for argument and discussion. If someone of an opposing belief argues otherwise, storming out of the room or cursing the person should never be an option. This belief may take precedence over everything else in one's life, so one should be willing to calmly explain the foundation for this belief.

Even though the Constitution says it shouldn't, religion plays such a large role in shaping our national politics that not discussing its benefits and impairments is irresponsible. Religious convictions do so much to shape all of our lives, however indirectly and however objectionably, that we should all feel the admission -- and necessity -- to talk about it in any context. Even while tapping a keg.

Havican, an English senior, 
can be reached via dccampus@mail.uh.edu