How Can You Coexist With Persons Who Hold Opposite Political Viewpoints?

Politics is a touchy subject, and discussing it may get emotional at times. You can’t avoid discussing this topic now that the national Philippine elections are approaching. When it comes to political opinions, there is someone at home or at work who does not agree with you. It’s natural for people to hold opposing political opinions because each person is unique.

Although, because of these political views, there are times when you can feel the elephant in the room. It’s even worse if you try to read every single comment section of a news story. Others even choose their potential partners based on their political viewpoints. The good news is that, despite your differences, you can live with and even love people who hold opposite political ideas.

This article is not intended to encourage people to vote for a specific person; rather, it is intended to teach people how to live in a healthy family or relationship with individuals who hold opposing viewpoints.

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What is a Political Belief?

Political belief or activity discrimination is when someone discriminates against you, by bullying you or treating you unfairly, because of your political beliefs or activities, or what people think these might be.

Political belief or activity means your beliefs and actions, as long as they are lawful. It also protects your right not to hold certain beliefs or take certain actions.

That means it is against the law to discriminate against you because you support a certain political party or because you don’t support a certain political party.

Political belief and activity means when someone:

• does, or does not, have a lawful political belief
• is, or is not, a member of a political party
• takes part in, or refuses to take part in, political action.

Maintain an open mind.

Politics may be an emotional topic for both parties. Even if you disagree with someone, instead of trying to outsmart each other, it’s ideal if you both keep an open mind. Even if you disagree with someone’s point of view, there’s a chance you’ll learn something new from their perspective.

Rather than disputing, approach the topic with humility and an open mind. People dislike it when you try to make them feel bad about their decisions. Do not engage in this form of debate if they utilize a negative strategy or fallacies during the discourse. Arguing is simple, but in certain instances, loving is a more radical option.

How to deal with social events

Gatherings can also be difficult to manage when your family members hold opposing political viewpoints. Others try to find relatives with whom they agree politically, but this simply serves to further divide the family. This may seem like a safe bet, but the best course of action is to avoid discussing politics during parties.

You don’t have to confront someone about their support for a presidential candidate or their social media remarks. It’s a family get-together, so inquire about their lives and how they’re doing. At the end of the day, your family’s bond is far more essential than proving someone else wrong.

Use of social media

Social networking allows you to keep up with what’s going on in your family. However, because it may be used as a platform for campaigns, this instrument can be a double-edged sword. Waiting 24 hours before posting or commenting on something on your social media feed is the greatest strategy to prevent political confrontations.

That 24-hour period will give you enough time to consider whether or not that person is worth your time. And if you do decide to engage, you can maintain your cool and use a pleasant, neutral tone. And if someone uses profanity or shows disrespect, it’s preferable to back off since it’s not worth it.

The greatest strategy, though, is to become apolitical on social media. This isn’t to say you shouldn’t be worried about current events; it just means you shouldn’t post about them on social media.

Look for a point of agreement.

For the sake of our future children and grandchildren, we all want a better Philippines. A schism between the people is the last thing that will allow that future to happen. Rather than arguing about why your preferred presidential candidate is superior, consider the similarities you share with that family member.

For example, if you both agree that no one should be left hungry on the streets, you can both volunteer for nonpartisan feeding programs to help solve the problem you both care about. While it’s satisfying to refute someone’s false claims with facts, it’s even better to collaborate with them toward a common goal.

Unfollow or block them in Social Media

Avoiding and ignoring them won’t always suffice. With the Philippine elections in 2022 approaching, it’s common to temporarily unfollow or block certain friends and family members. If you’re going to do this, tell them you love them and that you’re going to disconnect from social media for a bit to avoid any conflicts. Once the elections are completed, make sure to add them back in.

They’re not just about the people they help.

“You are who you support” and “politics is the way you perceive the world” are two phrases you may hear. While this is true, we must never forget that our humanity comes first, not our political beliefs. What you should look for in a person is their morality, their ideals, and how they treat others.

People can claim to be on the right side of things until their actions are seen. A person with opposing beliefs but is kind to their family and community is far superior to someone who is on your side but has a negative reputation.

Do you think you should get involved in politics?

You may believe that politics has no bearing on you. This, however, is not the case. You should participate in conversations since politics has an impact on practically every aspect of your life. The only aspect of politics that you should avoid is its toxicity. The greatest contribution you can make to our country as a responsible citizen is to vote in May.

No matter what your political views are, your partner or relatives will love you. Being in a home means having differences, and not just in politics. Rather than considering this as a threat, consider it a chance for a healthy debate. Who knows, you might even persuade them to share your viewpoints.