Getting past sound bites

[Clement_Monk]

Hi everyone,

Here’s a question for you. I’m sure we’ve all sound bites and other short hand ways of thinking “Keep your Rosaries off my Ovaries” “A Womans own private mediacal decision” ect.
How do you get past these sound bites and to a real conversation? Not just on abortion but, any topic; weather abortion, Religion and reason, or what have you.

 

[DarkLight]

This is an issue that has been very dear to me, especially as my own work with abuse has often run into these soundbites preventing people from addressing real issues. Unfortunately sound-bites are often a refuge people take, and it’s not an easy task to get past them. You’re going to need a lot of patience! But a few pointers:

• Avoid sound bites like the plague, yourself. This can include things that sound like sound bites. “Because the Bible says so” and similar things will come across as sound bites to many people. Study your position and be prepared to offer a thorough explanation.
• Try to understand. This can be hard, but it’s absolutely critical. See, on abortion, most supporters think the only reason someone would consider a zygote a person is religion. Since they don’t consider it a person, they feel upset and angry that someone else would tell them what to do with it. Probably the same way you would feel if someone told you that you were going to have to adopt a child right now, regardless of your own particular situation and desires. It’s not a perfect analogy, but it’s close enough to get some idea.
• Listen. Really listen and respond as best you can. Respond to sound bites as if they weren’t sound bites. If someone calls it a private medical decision, ask them if there’s ever an acceptable circumstance to override the right to control your own medical decisions.
• Learn when and how to quit. Be calm and polite. Don’t engage when you’re angry; don’t engage with someone who is trying to rile you up or not responding to what you say. Especially don’t engage with people who are persistently responding to what they assume you believe, rather than what you said.