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eHow Relationships & Family Editor

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By an eHow Contributor

Discussions about religion, politics, abortion, same-sex marriage and other hot button issues can be tricky. Instead of getting heated and arguing until you are blue in the face, keep telling yourself to agree to disagree on certain topics. This way you can have lively debates without letting them get personal.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. • 1
     Be a good sport. In an argument or debate, keep a friendly mind-set. Though some issues may be incredibly important to you, like your religious beliefs, understand that everyone has the right to their own opinion. If everyone believed the same thing life would get boring.
   • 2
     Stay calm in the face of a debate. Agree to disagree with someone who is able to intelligently converse with you about tough subjects. Keep your cool and simply swap ideas with this person instead of letting it get ugly.
   • 3
     Use honesty above all. People will tend to throw up their hands and plead that there is no winning or losing the argument when they have clearly lost. This tends to happen to those who have not fully researched or thought out their opinion on the subject. If you find yourself in a situation like this, simply be honest with the other person and let them know you have to do some research before continuing.
   • 4
     Respect the other person. In a debate, friendly or otherwise, if the person states that you should just agree to disagree, accept it-even if you think they are saying so to avoid admitting defeat.
   • 5
     Understand that you can't change a mind that does not want to change. Some people will be open to new ways of thinking, and others are steadfast in their beliefs and cling to them as though their lives depended on it. Take this fact to heart, and it will help you be a better debater.

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• How to Agree to Disagree
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• How to Disagree Politely
• How to Win an Argument Every Time