It can be hard for passionate types like myself not to get into a debate when my beliefs are challenged, but when I do, I at least try to understand the other person’s side and find a common bond with them.
I first learned how to do this early in my sobriety when I would hear someone at an AA meeting share something about recovery that I didn’t agree with. Sometimes they had different spiritual beliefs than me and I simply couldn’t relate to what they were saying, but I was able to realize something very important. They, like me, found a way to stop drinking and find greater happiness in life.
There were actually quite a few times when I had to remind myself at meetings that it didn’t matter if someone’s beliefs were different from mine, I will at least know we shared a common bond strengthened by hope, empathy, mutual respect, and love.