[foster_nyman]

You’re right, and I agree wholeheartedly: academics absolutely do have fruitful arguments about religion and politics.

I read Graham’s point as narrower than “there’s nothing to learn.” He explicitly says: “There are certainly some political questions that have definite answers.”

The warning label is about identity capture. Once a view becomes part of who you are, the odds of real updating drop: “people can never have a fruitful argument about something that’s part of their identity.” Or, put positively: “you can have a fruitful discussion … so long as you exclude people who respond from identity.”

So the issue isn’t the topic. It’s what happens when belief turns into a kind of badge.