One of the downsides of social media is discovering my friends and family’s political worldviews.  Some might appreciate knowing if they match up with workplace colleagues, their uncle Bill or cousin Nancy.  Not me.

Call me naïve but I just don’t want to jeopardize my opinion of someone I care about by knowing they are 180 degrees from my position.  And I’m afraid I might.

Maybe it’s my character flaw of always trying to avoid confrontation.  It’s not like I don’t respect those with whom I disagree with.  I would just rather not know if you are a liberal, conservative, democrat, republican or libertarian.  Sure it makes for lively debate.  However, more times than not it results in dissonance.

I guess the same thought process holds for religion.  I’d rather not know if you are an atheist or a believer in God.  I do not feel an urge to persuade you either way.  Live and let live.  Common sense and compassion might mean something different to you than my definitions.  I would be sad if we weren’t on the same page politically or spiritually…but at my age, it’s really out of my control.  I surrender to respect and civility.