Lets Talk Politics, Religion and Such - Shall We?
Want to know how to start an argument and possibly a physical altercation fast?
Start talking about politics or religion or any related things. Thats all you need to do to turn close friends, associates and others into bitter enemies.
Now it is certainly everyone's right to talk about anything they like (at least here is the USA ; ) but at the same time it is also the right of others to not like what you have to say or what I have to say and to tear each other to shreds verbally.
The world is sadly divided right now - and bitterly so.
There is very little common ground and very few areas that are peaceful - but you know what is peaceful, and what is inclusive? Business!!
Business does not care about all that other stuff - until and unless a business (meaning its leaders and marketing team) decides to stick its foot into its mouth and pick sides. Instantly it will alienate and piss off at least HALF of its customer base!
That is beyond stupid.
But is it their right? Sure. As of today, being stupid is not a protected class (not yet anyway ; )
I am a member of MANY communities. Not just WA.
I also run several of my own - some with a few thousand members, some with a few hundred and some with just a few...
Some of the groups I belong to digress into political name calling, bitching, whining and otherwise just a very unhappy and destructive place - completely losing all of the original focus and intent of the group to begin with.
When that happens - guess what else happens?
Most people leave the group or just go dormant (they are gone and no longer participating but just didn't formally exit).
We all have our own beliefs and convictions.
There is a time and a place to make those things known loud and clear - at the ballot box, at political events and such - but to me such things do not belong in social groups that are focused on other things - like business, recreation, and any other thing that is not part of politics or religion or other divisive issues.
Thats my two cents on the matter...now, what say you?
Best regards,
L.D. Sewell
About The Author
Just in case we have not met yet - my name is L.D. Sewell, and I am an Author, Instructor and Entrepreneur. I teach people how to make real money from home, and how to start and run real businesses successfully and systematically. You can find out more and connect with me through my profile pages on all platforms I use and About pages on multiple sites I run - or just go to my primary site ldsewell which you can access from my profile or just Google L.D. Sewell
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Recent Comments
41
One of the first things I was taught in business was to not talk about the 3 things you mentioned.
And eventually it’s a waste of time as people won’t change their opinions and you end up just flapping your gums or patting one another on the back.
Stephen
I know that there is absolutely zero chance of anybody changing my core beliefs and positions - and the same is true of many of my friends and associates who are at odds - so if we were to go down that rabbit hole we would no longer be friends and some of us would be the enemy from then on. So what is the point in that? Destruction for destructions sake only.., I prefer progress in areas where we are in agreement and harmony.
Good morning LD,
Thank you for your blog post. I hope that you are all doing well and business is good.
I very much like your wise words they are very true. As a Christian and someone who finds politics as interesting or maybe irritating, it's important to know when to open our mouth's! As much as we may like a topic!
It's interesting how people can change the face of the group or platform by saying the wrong things.
On the Wealthy Affiliate platform, I feel it's very important to stay on topic. In other words, talking about growing our online business etc. Some topics are probably just better off on a platform like Facebook. I come to Wealthy Affiliate to learn about growing my online business, as most of us do. If I want to talk about gardening or another topic, I am better off finding a forum or group that supports the subject, for example.
Have a great Sunday.
Roy
Hi Roy,
Glad to hear from you too my friend - and thankfully all is well with me and mine at the moment.
I hope you are and your family and Business are well too.
I have left groups and communities - and will again I am sure - when people start nonsense.
Some group founders/leaders make a serious mistake too when they erroneously believe they can shove their own views down members throats on politics, religion, or other such topics which are in no way related to the purpose of the community.
I’ve seen 30 k plus members lose thousands overnight after a stupid post by the founder or their admins.
There is enough nonsense hate and division in the world already. I believe businesses and groups need to stay out of sensitive divisive areas - on all sides.
Now as I mentioned - groups and businesses DO have the right to say what they like - and to suffer the price too.
That’s just my way - and the way I see it. I also vote with my feet and my money too.
In my own groups I run it is against group rules - and one of the few things I toss people for on the first offense with no other warning.
WA is a little weird in that it teaches BLOGGING and website building are core elements of a business - and niches of all kinds.
So I personally don’t care s about people writing about most topics (practicing their craft and their writing etc) so long as it’s not on well known polarizing topics like Politics and religion.
If WA became another polarized community - I would be gone. Just not interested in such nonsense and why I never put all my eggs in any one basket. I already use multiple hosting platforms (and always will) so I have other options - always.
Have a great evening Roy. Hopefully we can have another chat by phone or video conference soon my friend.
Best regards,
L.D. Sewell
Good morning LD,
Thank you for your detailed reply it's appreciated! I'm glad all is well with you both!
We are doing okay, thank you, my wife is still in Greece at the moment, I may try and get out there at the end of the month or early September for a few days.
I understand where you're coming from about leaving groups, if it goes off-topic, what's the point? I must admit that sometimes there can be a temptation to put our slant on something, but I try not to do that! Reading your reply, LD, makes me see how important it is to keep on topic!
If the founders and leaders are pushing their own views on people, that's not right either! That's amazing that you've seen thousands leave groups, that just shows the importance of keeping on topic etc! You're right, the world has plenty of problems, it's good to stay away from sensitive areas! I guess this is one of the things I like about Wealthy Affiliate; it almost takes me away from the world in a good way!
Yes, that's very true, groups and businesses can say what they like, but there are consequences!
I can see your point, LD, you have to set certain rules, otherwise groups can just go all over the place! I'm amazed at how clean and good the Wealthy Affiliate platform is, which is fantastic! I write on other forums, although not that much and Wealthy Affiliate is by far the most friendly and helpful platform. I believe that Kyle and his team have probably put a terrific amount of effort into keeping the platform clean, tidy and friendly etc.
Let's hope that Wealthy Affiliate stays as it is, a helpful and very friendly community!
It's always good not to have your eggs all in one basket and have different options available; very wise indeed!
It's interesting, as I was replying to your blog post yesterday, I was thinking about a Zoom meeting or something similar with you. I believe you just started doing a Saturday night video meet up, and then sadly, your wife became ill. I didn't actually get on the Saturday evening meet ups, but it could be something that I would be interested in. It could just be the time difference that may not work out, especially as I'm an early riser and in the UK! But please let me know if you want to do anything, that would be good.
Have a fantastic week.
Roy
Thanks Roy - yes meetups were curtailed due to her illness - but thankfully I am slowly but surely getting stuff stabilized and getting underway and making way once again my friend. Hopefully I can resurrect those meeting again soon… hopefully
It's a pleasure, LD!
I fully understand; I'm sure that was a very difficult time. It's great that things are becoming more stabilised and hopefully you can get back to your routine and resurrect those meetings again.
Have a great weekend.
Roy
Great post LD.
We all have our own beliefs and convictions based on our worldviews and influences. We also appear to be living in an increasingly polarised world, with some people completely unable to accept any opinion which differs from their own.
Voltaire is credited with saying "Sir, I disagree entirely with what you say but I will defend unto death your right to say it." I love the sentiment of this quote and try to exercise it when dealing with people whose views differ greatly from mine.
When selling or dealing with people I believe it is wise to avoid issues which could be contentious.
Rick
I love that quote too.
Personally I can get along well with almost anyone so long as they understand the principles of that quote - and do not try to shove their own opinions upon me or others who may disagree with their position.
Likewise I personally do not wish to discuss or be involved with such things in any business related endeavors at all.
That’s for your thoughts too.
Best regards,
L. D. Sewell
People have had difference of opinions since the dawn of time. It's just that today, there are some folks who are softer than Cottonelle toilet paper and want to ostracize you for disagreeing with them.
I also think this stems from having too much information at our fingertips, L.D.
Back in the day, before the internet, the nightly news came on at six, local news at eleven (when I could stay up that late!), and Sunday paper delivered once a week. It was a blip on my radar! And if by chance, I missed any of it? The sun still came out the next day. Life goes on!
Thus - I didn't have stuff like this "infecting" other areas of my life, at home, work, school, sports, boy scouts, etc.
If by chance, you mentioned that you voted for someone else, or supported a different agenda? Okay - Nobody cares! And we certainly weren't about to move heaven and earth to kowtow to you either.
My two cents, L.D.
Appreciate the post!
Isaiah 😊
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An instructive post. Thank you.
I think that we English speakers do seem to get ourselves in a bit of a tangle, especially regarding Politics.
Here in the UK methinks politics is in a bit of a mess. People's understanding of politics is at a very low level and consequently, certain politicians are able to run rings around the electorate.
But hey, you know what, the sun is currently shining (yes, in the UK) so we are going to have our Sunday roast al fresco.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend,
Simon