Don't take my opinion, get your own one!

There is something strange with people who believe in something so strongly that they try to promote their opinion to others. Most of us get opinions and stubbornly stick to them for the rest of our lives - mostly out of convenience. But some people not only have opinions, they are so naive that they think their opinions are better than the opinions of everyone else.

If there are more than four billion people who do not belong to my religion, that is a fairly good indication that simple logic is not enough to convince thinking people that my religion is the only true one. In other words, my belief is not built on common sense. I do not mind carrying an opinion that is not built on common sense, but why would I inflict it on others?

There are exceptions to the majority rule, of course. In the 17th century, Galileo was right with his minority heliocentric world view, because he had telescopes, and hardly anyone else did. But how many people today who desperately try to convince others of their own opinions build them on scientific instruments that no one else has access to?

Besides, the world would be a pretty boring place, if we always all were of the same opinion.

But I could be wrong, of course.

For and Against

“Are you for gun control?”
“Absolutely.”
“I am against gun control. Let the guns free, I say. Every adult who can prove no criminal record, no psychological problems, no genetic link to violence, and a practical need for weapons that cannot be satisfied in any other way should be able to buy a gun.”
“Sorry, I tuned out there. I cannot be bothered to listen to what you gun lovers say. Anyhow, gun sales is a serious business, and it should clearly be regulated. It should not be permitted to sell guns on Christmas day. Not before noon anyhow.”

“Are you against abortions?”
“Absolutely.”
“I am for abortions. In situations where one makes a medical choice between the life of a mother and a very young embryo, I think the mother should have the right to terminate the pregnancy to save her own life.”
“Sorry, I tuned out there. I cannot be bothered to listen to what you abortion enthusiasts say. Anyhow, I’m against abortions, and I think they should only be allowed when at least one parent or a doctor recommends it, and only when the embryo is younger than, well, a few months or so.”