Three ways to appear respectful while having a go at someone.

For the lover of passive aggression. These examples may of course be occasionally used unintentionally. But let's face it, mostly not.

1. I respect your opinion, but...

Dude as soon as you hit me with that 'but' you are not respecting my opinion. You are saying 'I heard what you said and you think it is right but you are WRONG and here's my opinion to prove it.'

By all means have differing opinions and share them freely, how boring would life be of we all agreed on everything always? But for goodness sake be honest about it.

I have opinions on heaps of things. Very strong opinions that you may be in complete opposition to. And that is excellent! But don't piss in my pocket then try to change my firmly held convictions. I'll respect you by saying 'I hear your opinion, it differs to mine and thats fine.' Feel free to do the same.


2. 'It's not up to me to judge, that is in the hands of God.'


I'll look forward to that conversation. In the meantime wanna stop doing His job then? Thanks.

I consider myself a Christian but the fundamentalist holier than thou makes me want to stab things. I'm human and fallible. So are you.


3. I don't want to cause trouble, I just really want to understand why (xyz)'


If you already know a statement is going to cause trouble then be prepared for trouble to be caused. Seriously.

If you make passive aggressive statements about highly emotive topics under the guise of 'but I just really want to understand' you are going to piss people off. Even if it came out wrong. Even if that's not what you meant. Own it or apologize.

I don't want to upset anyone but I really just want to understand how people can kill baby sheep and eat them when they are so cute and have souls and it's murder and you are a murderer.

Feeling upset? Possibly not if you are a vegan or vegetarian, but omnivores may be rightfully feeling pretty annoyed.

But I didn't mean it, I just really want to understand! Therefore you are not entitled to that annoyance because it was a perfectly innocent question! Right?

Debate is healthy. Argument is invigorating. Name calling and threats because someone feels differently to you is juvenile and says more about you than your argument.

Peace.