It is very important for people to realize that everyone else's beliefs and perspectives are born out of a combination of individual and collective experiences. This does not make these beliefs right or wrong, they are merely the effect of a lifetime of being influenced by parents, friends, school, religion, and individual occurrences. If you want to truly engage a person in meaningful conversation, or if you truly wish to teach a person something they are resistant to knowing, then you must first understand that person's perspective on the world; in essence, you must first understand that person's life. Then, after careful consideration and a lot of learning on your part, you will be much better equipped to deal with the meaningful issues at hand. Just keep in mind that everyone is the expert in regard to their own life, so if you want someone to see the world through your eyes, you must first be willing to see the world through the eyes of another. This crucial component is often lacking in contemporary discourse and we are living the dangerous results of its omission.