I think it comes down to remembering: All God. All paths valid belonging to One. Just because someone does not agree with me, does not mean they are less or deserve to be treated in a rude manner. There are too many reasons to know why someone is thinking the way they are. If I detect a kind or sincere attitude, it is best to let those with a different lease on life go on living it than to try and sway their beliefs. None of us have it figured out, but if we think we do, Life has a way of Humbling. We're just doing the best we can with what works for us.
I think those who argue endlessly feel it necessary to prove their views superior- which can become quite obnoxious. Or maybe they believe they are really helping others, which can be equally obnoxious. Eventually, it must be understood that there is no helping a situation(even if that is all you really wanted to do) and to focus on the uniting factors in a relationship. Intolerance towards another way of life is a trick of Ego.
"I can't stand them for this, They are so wrong- I will not tolerate that, This is terrible for me"
me, me, me- i, i, i...
I find that taking the focus off thoughts preoccupied with the self(little s) allows for a more receptive conversation and provides further insight.
If we find we are so disturbed we must remind ourselves of our own convictions, or make a serious inquiry within as to why we have become so jarred.
I agree with you in principle, Eric, but how does this work out in our personal relationships? It is often more challenging when we are born into a certain family or we have had friends for years we care about. We may be thinking about the larger Self in our differences yet there may be the view that we have difficulties in having someone continually stating their given views or views that support their views when ours are so different. We can back away from the issues or gloss them over with diversionary tactics but that would be a technique and does nevertheless represent an attitude.
