Life is full of opinions; opinions such as which political party is better, which team is better or which pet is better (obviously dogs, sorry cat lovers). This kind of debate between our personal beliefs have been happening since humans came to be. It also isn't going away anytime soon. It's human nature. Granted, we can and should be working toward trying to understand each other and bridging those gaps. But sometimes it just comes down to this: we all hold our own beliefs. Because of that, we must be respectful toward those we disagree with, in order to come together as people and truly love our neighbors.

How do we talk about things that we don't agree on in a way that is respectful?

First, listen to what the other person is saying. They are most likely passionate about what they believe, so listen why. Try and understand where they're coming from. Take a step back from your own viewpoint and try to see it from their eyes. I'm sure you'd like them to listen to what you're saying too, so give them the same respect that you'd like to receive.

Second, pause and think. Once someone has said something or asked a question, it's okay, and often times helpful, to pause and think about what you'd like to say in response. It shows the other person that you are processing what they said and that you are carefully considering how to respond with respect and thoughtfulness.

Third, use a tone that is not defensive—defensiveness often closes doors between us. We won't bridge those gaps and work together if there is lingering hatred, sparked by conversations. Third, use a tone that is not defensive—defensiveness often closes doors between We're won't bridge those gaps and work together if there is lingering hatred, sparked by conversations. Instead, use a soft, respectful tone when explaining your view of a topic. If the other person is going to listen to what you have to say, it will be when you're courteous.

Fourth, it's okay to agree to disagree. We were all raised differently and have different experiences. It's perfectly acceptable to say, "I disagree with you, but I respect and appreciate you for sharing your viewpoint." This shows that you heard what the other person said, have thought and processed it and have compared those points against what you hold to be true for yourself.

Controversial conversations are a part of life—sometimes you can't avoid them. Learning how to talk about discrepancies respectfully is a valuable skill to possess. Teach yourself to be someone who truly loves their neighbors despite their different beliefs.