My brother and I have pretty striking differences in political and theological ideas but we are committed to and enjoy dialog. Given how important these matters are to each of us, there are times when feelings get hurt. But we're committed to come back and try again. Sometimes we have to try again a few times.
In between, there's a lot of reflecting and wrestling. Pride and contrition. Dialogs rolling around in each of our minds.
It is priceless to me to try to grow from these conversations and not shut them down... which would, in fact, be much easier for enjoying family vacations.
The world and God are both so complex that how ever smart and educated we think we are, there is no way to fully wrap our heads around the types of discourses. There are always new points of views to consider, especially ones we may consider foolish or dumb.
Truth is one of the matters we argue over. He stands on single knowable truth. I stand on the side of unknowable truth that has many windows into it which we can all learn from to gain a clearer picture of what it might be.
However the case, conversations about things like truth and values, purpose and reason, history and current events are a form of spiritual practice. For me they exercise a practice of humility and open my eyes to blind sources of pride. I can feel myself getting indignant as the conversation goes on and I have to search out the source of that indignation-- is it because there is a violation of my core beliefs? Is it because it want to be right and him to be wrong? Is it because those beliefs threaten things I need to be true?
In those strong feelings, I can grow.
Especially when I need to set them all aside to reconcile with my brother.
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