No matter if you’re in a classroom or even in a party, an interesting conversation might end abruptly, with hurt or offended parties and no one wiser for the exchange. While you could be truly interested to know and study alternate viewpoints, you should first develop the ability of asking open ended questions. You can frequently find these on Bibles like Bibles for Children.

Well meaning people can spoil everyone’s possibilities of being familiar with a topic of social controversy, simply because they lack the skill. Effective and thorough utilization of rhetoric, in addition to an open ended question strategy, can open the door to a exciting and thorough discussion where everyone benefits.

For instance, let’s imagine you are in a party, eager to meet some new and even remarkable persons. Controversial subjects are often, on some level, sensitive in nature. You have relatives in the breakaway state of Russia therefore have some other views of the reality of the current Russian reputation. You start a dialogue with a history teacher using the this statement. “I think it is just terrible the way the Russians sent troops into Georgia, hurting civilian people! What is your opinion?”

Unless you know the disposition or sentiments of that professor, you might have put your foot in your mouth. You’ve started the conversation by stating your disposition in advance. What if that professor is a Russian immigrant, having strong feelings on the Russian position? You have effectively divested yourself of understanding several important historical facts that might shed some light on the situation. Once this educated person takes offense, the conversation could be brief and uninformative.

However, granted the identical scenario, posing an open ended question doesn’t imply conflict or prejudice on your part. You might ask, “You happen to be a history professor and I am interested to learn more about the case in the Georgian conflict. What’s behind this?”

This alternate strategy does not state your position, besides one of ignorance. Although the professor could have a bias, he or she is not going to perceive you as an enemy and will be flattered that you respect the things they are familiar with. It’s immaterial whether this person agrees with you. Your goal is to learn what they think and know, how they arrived at their conclusions and become more knowledgeable along the way.

Another illustration of the open ended topic, used in a purely social context might concern a controversial movie. “Have you seen Michael Moore’s ‘Sicko’? I believe that guy’s a freak and disgracefully unpatriotic, right?” You have expressed your point, putting the person you are questioning in a likely awkward lurch. Few people of the opposing point of view will probably be rude enough to tell you off. Another loss to your account!

What about, “Have you seen ‘Sicko’? I was curious regarding his take on the medical situation. It’s getting a lot of press.” These cases on the utilization of open ended questions may be a bit heavy handed, but deliberately so. You can see the value of learning, without the need of offending.

Written by Martin Paul, an avid collector of Rings for Christians.

The answer to this question is NO. Any sort of gambling is completely illegal in Cuba since 1959. When Castro came to power – after the triumph of the Revolution – one of the first things he banned were the Casinos and gambling.

One of the most famous Casinos in Cuba was located in Tropicana Cabaret. This astonishing setting was the gathering point of the American Mafia such as Mayer Lansky, Albert Anastasia, Tito Traficante, Lucky Luciano and so many other well know Mafia Cappi.

Tropicana

Today Cuba is moving forward in terms of developing the infrastructure of its main industry: Tourism. Do not be surprised if in few years you see a change in Cuba.