So I've noticed that a lot of people feel an intense emotional connection with their political views. And I've also seen a few who don’t feel that way at all. They live by logic and evidence alone, or just have this general apathy toward politics.

Perhaps you've noticed the same thing. Or not.

Everyone seems to fit somewhere along this spectrum that goes from a “fully emotional connection” to a “fully logical connection” when it comes to political views.

Even though this thread isn't inherently depicting either as right or wrong, I’m curious about where you think you fit.

Do you feel strongly when someone agrees or disagrees with your views? Do you go into a debate with the mentality that you may change your mind?

Let’s suppose you’re watching something on TV with a view that you disagree with.

Ever get angry? Do you change the channel or do you check what the “opposition” is all about?

Go discuss! Not only what I've mentioned, but also anything to do with what you think about the combination of emotions and politics.

Generally I wouldn't make a poll for this sort of question, but I feel like it better describes the “spectrum” that I talked about.

You can multivote or choose “Other”. I don't intend for the poll to restrict your options

EideticMemory : I'm mostly logical with that said I can't help but get satisfied if I read something that supports my claim or want to start a debate if someone disagrees with me. I do however consider that my views could be wrong. IMO no one only bases it on logic we're all a bit partial to what we believe in some more then others.

EideticMemory : I'm not completely sure if I understand your opinion, but I would say many of my political views are based on facts. Well, I say facts but then again, little facts with many emotions in it. I have picked the 'most logical' opinion but I'm not sure if I completely understand this. Could you explain it again please?

I would say that I am rather emotionally connected to my political views. Primarily due to the fact that they actually affect me and others (not the views themselves, but what they are supporting), and I like my views to be aligned with human rights, so I do have some sort of reason to become emotionally involved. Whenever someone has political views that destroy or go against the concept of human rights, I cannot help but feel sadness or anger. I do not understand why people would want to have fewer rights. It boggles and irks me. Of course, there is logic based in my views, but I am also emotionally connected. 

EideticMemory :

Well, I'm not that political honestly, all that matters to me, is what is right, and what is wrong, so my belief in God, and the blueprints that he gave us in the Old Testament make up my guidelines. I used to be into political stuff more, but later I found out that Ancient Jewish beliefs, and religion cut to the chase a lot faster.

I'm not to terribly connected emotionally to what I believe, but emotions are also important regarding right and wrong, for example:

Person 1: "My dad died of overeating, I'm so heartbroken!"

Person 2: "Yeah, he was just a pig, he had it comin."

Person 1: *runs off an cries.*


Offending people more than necessary is wrong, we want to avoid ill feelings as much as we can when discussing things, just because they are the facts does not mean that we can say whatever we want. In fact, that is one problem that I have with public debates, they are entirely based off of facts, and it is hard to say certain things without offending people, but, sometimes it has to be done.

As for myself, I am more connected to some beliefs than others. Here's an example of a belief that I have weak emotional connections to:

"Toast usually falls butter side down."

Something that I hold more strongly too though, something that if it were false, would just kill my soul would be this:

"If we believe God like Abraham did, then we will go to Heaven."

The problem is when emotions keep us from doing what is best for us and others. Remember what Tails had to do at the end of Sonic X? Life is balancing both.

Without emotions, what is there to live for? Can you ever be happy without emotions?

With them though, how can we ever do what we have to do?

Logic exists to make you FULLFILLED for longer periods of time than acting on gut instincts would.

That is the secret.

If you're having a hard time, but you know that you have too, well, then you just gotta do it. Still, don't make yourself a robot, after all, robots are never happy, they exist. . . to make someone else happy, and although we should bring joy to others, that is not the only reason that we are here, God made us responsible to find fulfillment ourselves as well! :3

tornadocam : I am curious, as I have never actually asked this to some one who incorporates religion as a large factor for political decisions. What are your views on the idea of "separation of church and state"? I am not here to debate those topics, I simply am wondering the reasoning behind using religion to form political beliefs. 

EideticMemory : As of myself, I form my opinions on the information I gather. I personally try to stay open-minded about everything, as they is no way that I could have a complete grasp of a political topic. If my views on something politics stay open, you never know what new information could come around that more closed-minded people would simply "blow off" as it doesn't match their beliefs on the subject. Your Bergdahl argument is a perfect example of how allowing new information to influence my views gave me a better understanding of the entire subject. 

tornadocam : It does, thank you. I see religion as an excellent way to create values, and understand why the government shouldn't have control of the church. In America (***Edit: USA) (where I am), it isn't even legal to tax religious organizations. With that, the idea of allowing any religion having any control of the government would be extremely complicated. I can see how this would work in other countries, but it would be extremely difficult here because of the diversity and core principles of the country, which were designed to keep any one group from having much power, including religious groups.

The problem with this question is that everyone thinks they are right, otherwise they would support the other side.
The number of people that say they are so about it, and have come to their views through their own research, astronomical.
Those who have done any kind of research at all, miniscule.
Its a lot like religion, in that you don't arrive at it yourself but are peddled it like a hand me down.

I try to base my views on as much evidence and common sense as I can, but I am willing to listen to opposing viewpoints and even have changed my mind on things when presented with overwhelming evidence that contradicts my opinions.

That said, I do feel vindicated when I see articles with facts that further enforce the ideas I already hold.

Logic alone. Your emotions do not dictate truth. Should everyone vote? Nope. Some people's votes are worthless. We already don't allow 17 and under as well as most mentally challenged and, in most states, felons. Is voting restriction fair? Absolutely! We do it already. I think it is too generous currently, but the emotion of "America the free" very, very often gets in the way of the logic behind my point of view.

Txgangsta :
Somehow I knew you would say that.
I would argue that your faith has a significant impact on your views, and that is not from your logic (since you have no control over it) but the doctrine you follow.

thenumberone :

That would assume that my faith is illogical. From your point of view, I totally understand your argument: I will vote on things I think are logical, but they are truly just my theist dispositions.

Good thing my faith is totally logical

Honestly, I think it is a decent argument within Christianity that our faith should be governed by logic. Jesus is often called "The Word", in Greek "Logos". "Logos" does mean "word", but it equally means "wisdom" and is where we get the English word "logic". A religion of logic, therefore, worships my God.