A rule of etiquette --in business, at the dinner table, at the barbershop, and elsewhere—is “never talk about religion or politics.”  These subjects can be extremely contentious and usually lead to a heated argument more than a civil dialogue. This phrase has been around since the mid to late 19th century.  Keeping to this rule of etiquette may keep the peace around the dinner table and water cooler at the office, but it is only a superficial peace that keeps the human race from uniting with one another.
In the Christian faith, Jesus gave of himself for the good of all, so all may be united as one human race.   It is when we break bread with a stranger; we are not just sharing the same meal; it is a sharing of our human experience, joys, sorrows, and frustrations. 
In this divisive political climate today, we have forgotten how to dialogue with civility. So, you are invited to a Dinner and a Fight / Dialogue.
Democracy is rooted in disagreement. And let’s face it, most of us are not very skilled at constructive disagreement. So, a 2.5-hour event called Dinner and a Fight (Dialogue) is designed for 30 to 60 people to experience a disagreeable topic constructively. The event is hosted on Tuesday, May 16th, at 5:45 pm, at St. John of the Cross Catholic Church at 140 Richmond Road in Richmond Heights. The event has several co-sponsors, inviting a diversity of thought for the dialogue. Find out more about how the event works at www.Fighting-To-Understand.us.
 Or reach us by email at FightingToUnderstand@gmail.com.
Quotes from recent participants:
“Very genuine. I heard ideas that I had not considered,” Frank.
“It was not long enough,” Dan.
“The thing I liked the most was that it kept moving along and interactive,” D.M.
Fighting To Understand is a local non-profit focused on citizen involvement. Our founding principle includes the belief that “everyday” people of goodwill, paying attention while interacting with life, can act as a jury or a group of scientists in search of holistic understanding.
If you would like more information about this topic, contact Ted Wetzel at the above contact information or Deacon Tom Shetina at St. John of the Cross Catholic Church, 216-289-0770, or deacontom@sjceuclid.com.


Fighting to understand promos.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=72rs751Ar_U
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hq9B6e7oB6g
https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2022/1110/In-Ohio-one-man-s-quest-to-get-more-voters-to-agree-to-disagree
https://commongroundcommittee.org/local-common-ground-dinner-and-a-dialogue/