Pointless To Argue Over Differences In Opinion

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WE have different perspectives and therefore view or interpret the same thing or situation as influenced by our emotions, values, beliefs, knowledge and experience.
More often than not, opinions formed are not informed decisions as they are based on limited information received.
We become hostile when overreacting to misinformation, disinformation or malinformation. Misinformation may be unintentional as people are weak in communication, but disinformation is planned to deceive or cause harm by manipulating or guiding people in the wrong direction.
Then there is malinformation which may be based on facts but removed from their original contexts in order to mislead or manipulate to cause harm, or they could revolve on so-called truths such as religions but exaggerated in a way that misleads and causes potential conflict.
Johor Amanah chairman Aminolhuda Hassan was right in calling for an end to debates involving religious figures, warning that they could heighten tensions among different faith communities, criticising certain parties for exploiting interfaith issues for personal gain.
Earlier, independent preacher Zamri Vinoth has accepted MIC deputy president M. Saravanan’s challenge to a debate following backlash over his remarks on the kavadi ritual, claiming that Hindu worshippers performing the kavadi appeared possessed and drunk on toddy.
Zamri Vinoth (Image: Free Malaysia Today)Over 150 police reports have been made and investigations are being conducted under Section 505(c) of the Penal Code and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998. So let the law run its course.
The basic problem with people is wanting to be right and proving others wrong. This is a daily occurrence within families, among relatives, colleagues, neighbours, acquaintances and even among strangers, resulting in quarrels over misunderstanding on petty or trivial matters.
Then there are politicians and wannabes who look for opportunities to condemn others of different religion, race and traditions so as to gain popularity and support among their communities. They concoct imaginary threats and blind supporters are easily swayed.
Lest we forget, intention is more important than the outward act itself. A seemingly good deed may be done with a bad intention.
Hence, the sincerity and purpose behind a deed determines its true value. The better option is to do what is good rather than being right and others wrong.
Only if necessary, we may discuss or debate over differences in opinions, but arguing and trying to convince others is usually a fruitless exercise. Instead of justifying our opinions, it would be better to find out the basis of different opinions and then try to understand the reasons given.
There is no need to accept or reject, agree or quarrel over them, as all opinions ought to be taken into account. And also, our opinions change over time unless we remain stagnant. For example, inexact sciences such as medicine and nutrition are continuously evolving.
Even for the same individual, opinions on the same matter can change by exploring or by looking at it from different angles. For example, the picture or colour of a two-dimensional hologram will vary looking from different angles.
I have devised my own theory to explain that the same thing can be viewed from 129,600 angles! Imagine the subject is at the centre of a circle. Looking from outside, the angle can be any of the 360 degrees around the circle, with slightly different views at angles close by.
If the circle is turned into a sphere, the total number of angles would be 360 times more or 129,600 degrees. If taken even further, the sphere is encapsulated by many other spheres and the view of the subject is distorted to such an extent that it would be unrecognisable.
Hence, we should not be obstinate to insist that only our opinions are correct and others are wrong. But one thing is for sure—if our opinions have not changed over the years, then we have not learned by unlearning, and have failed to keep pace with the rapid changes taking place. 
YS Chan is master trainer for Mesra Malaysia and Travel and Tours Enhancement Course and an Asean Tourism Master Trainer. He is also a tourism and transport business consultant.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT. 
- Focus Malaysia.

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