I was discussing religions with someone earlier this week and found that, while they had some very enlightened views on the beliefs of others, they showed a very markedly different approach toward their own: ignoring the fact that the very charges they level at others are equally as valid towards themselves.
And I just... How? How do you continue a conversation like that under those conditions? There's just nothing else to be said.
When you begin with the premise that your beliefs are inerrantly and unchallengably Truth™, you close your mind to learning and personal growth.
This is my personal opinion, so take it with as many shakers of salt as you like- but I have found that the approach of evidence-based reasoning and sound logical analysis is far superior to simple acceptance and repetition of unquestionable concepts.
If we critically examine others' schemata and fail to do so to our own, we have failed. </rant>