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In this modern world of social media, it has become so much easier for people to express their opinions globally.  With the global world in which we live, we have to be mindful about not offending others when stating our own opinion.  We must know that just as strongly as we feel about our own view point, others feel just as strongly about their view point.  We shouldn’t spend time trying to convince someone else to think the same way that we think.  It is okay to agree to disagree.  Having a disagreement is not about winning an argument.  It is merely a difference of opinion.   Our opinions are not facts.  No one’s opinion is a fact.  Just because you believe in something so strongly, does not make it a fact.  If you give your feedback about a topic or idea, know that just because you state it, doesn’t mean that what you state is right, wrong, nor does it mean that it is the only way to achieve the same outcome or goal.

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Too often, we see people engaging in debates about their differences of opinion.  When we debate others who have an opinion different from ours, what we are trying to do is get them to agree that our way of thinking is the only way of thinking and that everyone who differs from your way of thinking is wrong; which we should know is not always true.  It is okay to express your own opinion.  Just like it is okay for others to express their own opinion as well.  When you express your own opinion, it should be your view point on the subject matter, without including an insult about others who have a different perspective on that subject matter.

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Opinions are not facts.  Opinions are your own individual view point on a topic or idea.  So, let people have his/her own opinion, without being defensive or waiting for a rebuttal or trying to persuade them to think like you do.   When you try to change someone else’s opinion, because it is different from your opinion, what you are doing is telling the other person that they are not entitled to their opinion, because it is different from your opinion.  You are also telling them that their opinion is wrong and your opinion is the right and the only way of thinking about that topic or idea is your way of thinking.  Everyone must know that our opinions are not facts.  Have you ever thought about that?  Have you ever been in a discussion where you had an opinion different from someone else and you tried to convince them to think like you do?  When you try to convince or persuade by your argument against someone else's view point, stating that their opinion is wrong, you are ultimately saying, "Think like me," and that is wrong.   You also devalue their opinion, when you argue against it.  Some people even begin to insult others intellect, when they do not agree with a person’s thoughts or ideas.  It is okay to disagree with someone else, however, it is not okay to insult them because of their opinion.  In doing so, you become just as wrong as you think they are.   Again, opinions are not facts.

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Even if you disagree with someone, you do not have to argue about differences of opinion.  Other people are just as entitled to their own opinion, just like you are entitled to your own opinion.  It is okay to disagree.  If your opinion cannot be scientifically proven with sound, reliable, valid evidence, then it is usually not a fact.  Facts can be proven.  Opinions usually cannot be proven.  So, the next time someone states their own opinion about a topic of discussion, don’t shut it down or overshadow it with an insult or an aggressive rebuttal; allow him/her the same freedom of speech that you’re entitled to…..that we are all entitled to.  Opinions are Not Facts.  I think when we all understand that opinions are not facts, we will be less critical of others who have opinions that differ from ours. 

 

We are not always going to agree on every topic or subject matter.  So, when you and someone else do not agree on a topic or subject matter, instead of saying things like, "Anyone who thinks otherwise is an idiot, or you should think this way, because, or whoever doesn’t believe this is wrong, or whoever doesn’t like this is ignorant to the fact that"…you fill in the blanks, just because their opinion is different from your opinion.  We shouldn’t get upset, because others might not think the same way that we do.  We do not have to be insulting and belittling when we disagree with someone.  Just state your opinion.  State your own viewpoint, "I believe this because…In my opinion….. I feel this way because"….you fill in the blank, without insulting anyone else. 

When stating your opinion, it is good to stick to “I” statements and leave out the extra commentary about someone else’s opinion that they are entitled to.  Even if you disagree with my opinions in the article and might feel that I am trying to tell you, how to think, you and I are still both entitled to our own opinion.   Again, opinions are not facts, so let us all stop arguing or debating about our differences of opinion.

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By Lynnette Clement