day no. 17,184: do not quarrel about arguing, argue about quarreling

“We may argue politely, we may argue humanely, we may argue with great mutual benefit: but, obviously, we must argue.” — G.K. Chesterton

No one can agree on everything. That may be the one thing we all can agree on. Or not. In which case, the point still stands. God does not command us to agree with each other about everything per se, but He does command us in our conduct as we discuss our disagreements.

“People generally quarrel because they cannot argue. And it is extraordinary to notice how few people in the modern world can argue. This is why there are so many quarrels, breaking out again and again, and never coming to any natural end.” — G.K. Chesterton

The Bible speaks to the adverbs. Argue politely and in an orderly fashion. Argue humanely as with an image bearer, not inhumanely as with an orc. Argue beneficially inasmuch as it can benefit everyone in the conversation: those participating and those observing.

"I never discuss anything else except politics and religion. There is nothing else to discuss." — G.K. Chesterton

You can avoid disagreements by steering conversations away from disagreeable topics, but you cannot avoid disagreeable topics in general. So, the question is will be talk about them or not? And if so, how will we have these conversations?

"If we are not all trying to convince the world of the truth of our convictions, what in the world are we doing; or why in the world do we call them our convictions at all?" ― G.K. Chesterton

If you really believe something, why wouldn't you want to convince others of it? It would weirder if you didn't. How can you claim something as a core value that you never fully discuss other than at surface value, and even then not very often or with many others?

“The modern habit of saying 'This is my opinion, but I may be wrong' is entirely irrational. If I say that it may be wrong, I say that is not my opinion. The modern habit of saying 'Every man has a different philosophy; this is my philosophy and it suits me' – the habit of saying this is mere weak-mindedness. A cosmic philosophy is not constructed to fit a man; a cosmic philosophy is constructed to fit a cosmos. A man can no more possess a private religion than he can possess a private sun and moon.” ― G.K. Chesterton

If your philosophy only suits you, it is not a philosophy, it is a hobby horse or a delusion. If, however, it ought to suit others, then why would you keep it to yourself?