I remember telling someone I am a pro-life supporter during a discussion we were having about the Republican panel in 2012 on birth control that had no female participants. The person’s immediate response was defensive: “Well, I’m pro-choice because I believe women should have the right over their own bodies,” she said. Despite her assumption that I, being a woman myself, don’t have an issue with that view, I, in fact, do understand and appreciate that feminism attitude. Unbeknownst to them, my reason for being pro-life is due to my religious beliefs, which by the way, was the topic of another confrontation that ended with a discarded friendship.

Conversation should not be predicated on establishing who is right or who is wrong. More often than not, that leads down a road of biased attacks against an individual based on one of his/her views, which often ends the conversation with hostility and aggravation.  Nobody deserves to be shamed or personally attacked for his/her beliefs. Arguing over right vs. wrong never truly accomplishes anything.

There have been far too many instances when the correct solution, or even the inhumanity of a resolution, has left me pondering whether or not the opposition has any brains at all. Many times in the hallways, and even classrooms, I have heard students – because I hesitate to call them peers – broadcast such hateful and unfounded views towards religions such as Islam and Christianity.

Having an opinion does not constitute having an authoritative/superior position over others, so just because I disagree doesn’t give me the right to treat others as lesser beings. The fact that people can be united by such issues as abortion, or gay marriage, or healthcare is an amazing show of community and unity that seems to be fading from American culture but it does not excuse mob behavior or this endless cycle of insults.