These were two very different situations. First situation: With my in-laws at dinner. They KNOW me by now and expect me to challenge them. They said, half in jest, that maybe we should just nuke Syria. I replied, "WWJN" -they looked puzzled and then I said, "who would Jesus nuke?" -They half giggled and then realized it wasn't meant to be funny. Then they all nodded and agreed. I made the point. They accepted it and we changed topics. Second situation: Guy I barely know at a new company I work with suggests that the syrian refugees are not to be trusted because they're not christian. I took issue with this and wasn't going to let it slide. I said, "WWJTA" or "Who would Jesus turn away?" (you see a theme to how I challenge them) and he replied by asking me if I was a believer. I told him that I'm more of a red-letter Christian and asked if he was familiar with the Jeffersonian bible? He said yes he was and then told me that I couldn't "have it both ways." I said, "I can have it any way I want. For me, if people actually lived in accordance to the teachings of Christ, it would be a good thing." He said, "but Christ claimed to be the son of God." I replied "how convenient for those trying to build a church in his name." The conversation went nowhere. I ended it by saying "there but for the grace of god go i." He sent me an email later saying he hoped he didn't offend me. He didn't. It's all good.
thenewgreen, let me tell you. If someone were to ask me to make a list of people on Hubski I'd want to have an animated yet cordial argument with, you'd be at the top. I don't know why, but every now and again you strike me as someone who would be fun to argue with.
My wife would disagree. In every personality test I take I end up being the equivalent of "the debater." -For some reason I take joy in challenging people. It's great for my profession but not so great for my marriage. Thanks for the compliment.