Political discussions 101: on a FOUNDATION OF PRINCIPLES
Posted: May 23rd, 2007, 4:22 am
I created this for the RKY forum and hope it also has some value on this forum:
Political discussions 101: build on a FOUNDATION OF PRINCIPLES
It's understandable that not all of us are going to have the same opinions on every issue - however, the key to a good political discussion, especially a civilized one, is that it should be based on a FOUNDATION OF PRINCIPLES.
Welcome to Political Discussions 101: by Latter-day Conservative (inspired by the teachings of Ezra Taft Benson and W. Cleon Skousen).
When participating in a political discussion online or in person, before you go stating that this or that person is wrong in their political statements you should first have an understanding of the proper role of government and an understanding of the principles of freedom. This way your discussions can be based on principles and not just feelings.
If you simply feel that a person is wrong why would anyone believe what you have to say? What is your opinion really worth? It's worth a whole lot more if it's based on principles. You have a lot more credibility when you can give a person principled proof in support of your argument. It's always a good idea to use sources whenever possible to back up your statements, because then it's not just you presenting your opinion - instead it may be you presenting the words of the Founding Fathers or the insight of modern-day prophets and other giants such as W. Cleon Skousen, whose ideas were built upon a foundation of principles.
Instead of just telling a person you think they are wrong because that's how you feel, you can state "well... the Constitution says this..." or "The founding fathers believed that...." or "did you know Ezra Taft Benson said this, and Cleon Skousen said that..." - then it is much more likely that the person you are having a discussion with will begin to question what he/she thought.
Many times when you bring the "experts" into the discussion a lot more learning goes on.
Making principled arguments in a discussion is also a great way to keep contention out and keep the discussion on an intelligent level.
You may ask "How can I learn about the correct principles of freedom and the proper role of government?"
If you truly have a desire to gain an understanding you'll find there are many sources for the truth. Below I have created a list of some things you can read and listen to - to begin to understand the principles of freedom and the proper role of government.
Homework for Political Discussions 101:
Please read the U.S. Constitution and the Declaration of Independence.
Please read the following short articles:
The Proper Role of Government - by Ezra Taft Benson:
http://www.latterdayconservative.com/mo ... rticleid=1
What is Left? What is Right? - by W. Cleon Skousen:
http://www.latterdayconservative.com/mo ... icleid=112
Civic Standards for the Faithful Saints - by Ezra Taft Benson:
http://www.latterdayconservative.com/mo ... ticleid=20
The Constitution - by J. Reuben Clark, Jr.:
http://www.latterdayconservative.com/mo ... icleid=144
101 Constitutional Questions To Ask Candidates - by W. Cleon Skousen:
http://www.latterdayconservative.com/mo ... icleid=159
Know the Truth to Stay Free - by W. Cleon Skousen:
http://www.latterdayconservative.com/mo ... ticleid=91
100 Things Destroying America - by W. Cleon Skousen:
http://www.latterdayconservative.com/mo ... icleid=157
Please listen to the following talks:
The History of Secret Combinations - W. Cleon Skousen:
http://www.latterdayconservative.com/mo ... .php?id=18
Freedom and Free Enterprise - by Ezra Taft Benson:
http://www.latterdayconservative.com/mo ... .php?id=17
Stand Up for Freedom - by Ezra Taft Benson:
http://www.latterdayconservative.com/mo ... .php?id=13
Please consider reading the following books:
The Making of America - by W. Cleon Skousen:
http://nccs.net/making_of_america.html
The Five Thousand Year Leap - by W. Cleon Skousen:
http://nccs.net/ftyl.html
The Book of Mormon is also a great source for these principles.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
"Some things are true whether you believe them or not." [Rick Koerber]
Political discussions 101: build on a FOUNDATION OF PRINCIPLES
It's understandable that not all of us are going to have the same opinions on every issue - however, the key to a good political discussion, especially a civilized one, is that it should be based on a FOUNDATION OF PRINCIPLES.
Welcome to Political Discussions 101: by Latter-day Conservative (inspired by the teachings of Ezra Taft Benson and W. Cleon Skousen).
When participating in a political discussion online or in person, before you go stating that this or that person is wrong in their political statements you should first have an understanding of the proper role of government and an understanding of the principles of freedom. This way your discussions can be based on principles and not just feelings.
If you simply feel that a person is wrong why would anyone believe what you have to say? What is your opinion really worth? It's worth a whole lot more if it's based on principles. You have a lot more credibility when you can give a person principled proof in support of your argument. It's always a good idea to use sources whenever possible to back up your statements, because then it's not just you presenting your opinion - instead it may be you presenting the words of the Founding Fathers or the insight of modern-day prophets and other giants such as W. Cleon Skousen, whose ideas were built upon a foundation of principles.
Instead of just telling a person you think they are wrong because that's how you feel, you can state "well... the Constitution says this..." or "The founding fathers believed that...." or "did you know Ezra Taft Benson said this, and Cleon Skousen said that..." - then it is much more likely that the person you are having a discussion with will begin to question what he/she thought.
Many times when you bring the "experts" into the discussion a lot more learning goes on.
Making principled arguments in a discussion is also a great way to keep contention out and keep the discussion on an intelligent level.
You may ask "How can I learn about the correct principles of freedom and the proper role of government?"
If you truly have a desire to gain an understanding you'll find there are many sources for the truth. Below I have created a list of some things you can read and listen to - to begin to understand the principles of freedom and the proper role of government.
Homework for Political Discussions 101:
Please read the U.S. Constitution and the Declaration of Independence.
Please read the following short articles:
The Proper Role of Government - by Ezra Taft Benson:
http://www.latterdayconservative.com/mo ... rticleid=1
What is Left? What is Right? - by W. Cleon Skousen:
http://www.latterdayconservative.com/mo ... icleid=112
Civic Standards for the Faithful Saints - by Ezra Taft Benson:
http://www.latterdayconservative.com/mo ... ticleid=20
The Constitution - by J. Reuben Clark, Jr.:
http://www.latterdayconservative.com/mo ... icleid=144
101 Constitutional Questions To Ask Candidates - by W. Cleon Skousen:
http://www.latterdayconservative.com/mo ... icleid=159
Know the Truth to Stay Free - by W. Cleon Skousen:
http://www.latterdayconservative.com/mo ... ticleid=91
100 Things Destroying America - by W. Cleon Skousen:
http://www.latterdayconservative.com/mo ... icleid=157
Please listen to the following talks:
The History of Secret Combinations - W. Cleon Skousen:
http://www.latterdayconservative.com/mo ... .php?id=18
Freedom and Free Enterprise - by Ezra Taft Benson:
http://www.latterdayconservative.com/mo ... .php?id=17
Stand Up for Freedom - by Ezra Taft Benson:
http://www.latterdayconservative.com/mo ... .php?id=13
Please consider reading the following books:
The Making of America - by W. Cleon Skousen:
http://nccs.net/making_of_america.html
The Five Thousand Year Leap - by W. Cleon Skousen:
http://nccs.net/ftyl.html
The Book of Mormon is also a great source for these principles.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
"Some things are true whether you believe them or not." [Rick Koerber]