A Goodreads user

A Goodreads user asked Anne Lamott:

One of the experiences you share in your writing is that of having had an abortion—can you share some advice about discussing this topic compassionately with conservative Christian friends, who seem to prefer spouting talking points to engaging the (woman's) human cost in this topic?

Anne Lamott I don't personally find it useful to talk about abortion, Obamacare, immigration, or the environment with my conservative friends. We will NEVER change each others' thinking, and will ruin the meal or coffee or mood by trying. I ask myself frequently, "Would you rather be right, or would you rather be happy?". That settles for me.
People get to think what they want, and I do, too. But I hate arguments and debate--I always have since I was a little child. I do what I can to advance the causes I so passionately believe in, and I try to tell the truth, and then I have it to let it go at that.

More Answered Questions

Samantha Henson

Samantha Henson asked Anne Lamott:

Six months ago, I lost two young friends of mine. As a person of faith, it's been incredibly difficult to think about the afterlife in their regards since neither believed in God. Many Christians have been shoving Heaven and Hell down my throat, claiming that final judgement reached them. How do you handle losing someone of different beliefs in relation to your own faith?

Janet

Janet asked Anne Lamott:

I enjoyed your book "Bird by Bird" and found the advice to write about just one bird at a time, very helpful. It was a new idea for me, and very good advice. In today's writing environment, do you have advice for unknown authors to capture the interest of an agent? Building a platform before publishing a book is difficult, yet everyone seems to want a platform before they will even talk to a writer wanna be.

Ami

Ami asked Anne Lamott:

Stitches is such a wise and calming book. Were you inspired by the work of any other people as you were writing it?

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