"I've heard this type of rhetoric a lot lately..."

"Isn't it true that you..."

"Now you're just arguing semantics."

"Let's be honest..."

"Well, that is the mantra of the people of your view."

All of these are statements I've read or heard lately. All of them are repulsive to worthwhile discourse. All of them poison the well of clear communication. (Just click on the words in the quotes to see a Google search of how these phrases are being used in news articles to slant the conversation.)

You've known people who argue like this, right? I've know several. Perhaps they like the idea of a dialog, but actually operate only on an agenda. To talk but not listen, to persuade but never be persuaded. This is not the pursuit of real Truth, but the pursuit of arguing others into submission of what the speaker thinks to be true.

I suppose we're too prideful to consider where we might be wrong, and that's why nobody likes arguments, disagreements, or confrontation. We're all just trying to score points and convert others to our point of view instead of having a real dialog. If our arguments were real dialogs, we wouldn't hate them!

If we were all seeking to reform our own minds to align closer with what's objectively true, arguments wouldn't be so frustrating. Conversations could really be like iron sharpening iron, helping each other align more closely with what's true.

I don't want to be someone that poisons the well of clear communication and drives people away. Rather than just trying to force my ideas on others, I want to always be willing to hear and evaluate where other people are coming from. I can argue well for what I think - but I'm also willing to change my mind and reform my thoughts when I'm wrong.

A dialog is a two-way "spoken exchange of thoughts, opinions, and feelings."

If you are closed to the thoughts, opinions, or feelings of others, dialog is impossible for you, by definition.

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Questions for consideration and comments:

1. Who have you seen poisoning the well of communication? Politicians? Pastors? Friends? Yourself?
   
   
2. Does using these type of slanted phrases or arguments reveal that the speaker's position is weak, so this type of dialog-stopper must be used?
    
3. What is your reaction when someone does this with you?
    
4. Do you have the same reaction when someone you agree with does this in argument?
   
   
5. Is it possible to have a worthwhile conversation when someone tries to shut down the dialog this way?

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