And what is so terrible about discussing subjects, like politics and religion, on which people frequently disagree? I will discuss any subject that interests me, and I expect to be disagreed with frequently, but I don't intend to hate, fear, or demonize those who do disagree with me. If I talk to them long enough, it becomes clear that they hold most of the same ideals I do, regardless of the fact that they may disagree with me vehemently about some political issue or another...and our disagreement arises out of our different backgrounds, not out of the fact that one of us is "bad" and the other is "good". This helps me learn not to judge others hastily (if at all), but instead get to know them better.

I think the habit of scrupulously avoiding controversial subjects is one based on laziness, inflexibility and FEAR, the same things bigotry is based on (right on, Bobert!). Just because someone disagrees with you does not ipso facto make him your ENEMY. It could on the contrary make him quite interesting, and enlarge your view of reality a bit. You want a place where everyone agrees? Well then, establish a police state, and just imprison or kill everyone who doesn't agree with your official version of reality. It's been done, folks...all in the name of "order".

As for the oft repeated cry that this is a folk and blues site...well, yes, it is.

I don't know about blues, but folk music has NEVER been afraid of taking on controversial subjects, and has generally been at the forefront of doing so.

If you are so disturbed by threads about politics or religion...then don't read them, for gosh sakes! Read some other thread instead. God knows, there isn't enough time in the day to read all the threads on this forum, is there?

I will add to that, however, that Jeri and Amos both have an excellent point in saying that our energy is better spent on discussing things we love than things we hate. No doubt about that. I think politics comes up because most of us love freedom, peace, and justice...and religion comes up because many of us love God or love Life itself and see it as a spiritual journey.

Plus, we love to talk... :-) That should be obvious by now.

Everything comes back to love. Love expressed or love denied, but it all begins with Love. When a child is born, that's plainly obvious. You can see it in the eyes of the parents. We all strive in the defense of what we love, and that's natural.

- LH