You aren’t entitled to your own opinion just because wherever you live deems it the law, and it also isn’t because your beliefs are superior to everyone else’s. You are allowed to believe what you want because it is what makes you unique. Different ideas and opinions about how the world should work are what has created many of the resources that we have today. Could you imagine where the world would be if Benjamin Franklin, Karl Benz, Elvis Presley, or even Bill Gates listened and followed the opinions of other people? Not that we would know the difference, but the world would definitely be a different place. While defending your own opinion is important, there is an equal importance in respecting the ideals of other people. Yes, even if you don’t agree with them. These are just my opinions, and this may seem very elementary, but due to what I have seen recently I am going to describe the difference between an argument and a debate (sarcastically).

Bing is the closest resource I have near me at the moment, so it is what I will use. Bing defines an argument as an exchange of diverging or opposing views, typically a heated or angry one. Now, I don’t think that arguing with people is exactly a good idea, however, an argument typically, or at least it should anyway, follow a couple disagreements that need to be solved. This could range anywhere from a business that needs to make a narrow marketing decision, or a son and father arguing over why or why not a curfew should be instilled. The severity of the argument doesn’t really matter in this sense, just so that it is understood that arguing with someone should really only happen if compromising has reached a dead end. Again, arguments still are not all that healthy for anybody. But if one is going to happen, that should really be the only reason why.

Now a debate, as Bing defines as a formal discussion on a particular topic in a public meeting or legislative assembly, in which opposing arguments are put forward. In verb form, it is practically a formal version of an argument. That means instead of verbally abusing whoever you are having a disagreement with, you respectfully speak your viewpoints and allow them to say their piece too. Debates should (but often turn into arguments from here) be about politics, music interests, sports teams, or anything where it really doesn’t have to be solved or require a solution. Debates are intended to be educational for both parties, and if it doesn’t change the opinion of another, it should create some level of respect or understanding for the beliefs of both.

So If you find yourself in a situation where you do not agree with somebody else, then there are really only two things you should do. Either let it go, or have a respectable conversation with them. If you take it upon yourself to ridicule, put down, or even go as far as threaten (it happens) that individual, then don’t expect your opinions to get any respect, even from those who may have similar beliefs to your own. The thing is, it will eventually get to a point where your dispute turns less and less into you fighting for what you believe in, and more of just a display of poor character. If you can’t respectfully share your side, then no one is going to even bother listening to what you have to say. You could have complete, foolproof evidence of a topic being right or wrong, and completely blow your chance to prove it by how you present your information and your attitude towards it.

We spend so much time arguing and fighting that we often forget what we are even mad about. Not only is it destructive and unhealthy for a growing society, but it solves absolutely nothing. We need to spend more time building each other up and informing our neighbors, and less time on Facebook comment threads spewing hate that nobody wants to hear. Don’t be the person that people remember as hot-tempered, but rather as an upstanding individual that respectfully brings attention to the crisis and does so without trying to hurt other people’s feelings. Its little things like these that can change the world and it can either start with a friendly conversation or respectfully walking away.