The Four Impolite Topics: a guide to our humanity

In polite conversation, it is said that one does not talk about four topics - sex, money, religion and politics.

Of course, that makes life very difficult if your area of interest, study or even occupation is in one of these areas - in my case, I’ve studied sociology (which covers sex and money), politics, applied theology (which covers religion).

Having studied those areas, I’ve needed to have several conversations in all four forbidden areas, which gives me a special appreciation for why these are forbidden topics. It’s axiomatic that usually people will yield to the person who works in the area (try correcting a doctor or a tradesman!), but when it comes to politics, philosophy and religion, suddenly they’re pope, Plato and president - particularly frustrating to those who have studied the areas and know that neither party is any of those!...

To read more, go to The Four Impolite Topics: A Guide to Our Humanity on the Living Theology Blog.