Nothing is off limits when it comes to social media - not even religion and politics.

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"On social media, you get a mix of baby pictures, sentimental quotes, and Instagram photos. So it can be kind of jarring to see someone who has a very impassioned point of view that you vehemently disagree with."

They say you shouldn’t talk about politics or religion in polite company. But with social media, the rules of polite society tend to get thrown out the window.

In this episode, Sarah Pulliam Bailey from The Washington Post, and Barney Zwartz, formerly of The Age, share their wisdom on how to have good - or at least civil - conversations on social media.

Barney says: "We all have a view of what a flourishing society looks like, and those who disagree with me vehemently on politics generally start from a good motive - that’s what I have to recognise for the conversation to be fruitful."

Sarah says: "The more people listen on social media, the more thoughtful conversations we can have."

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Sarah Pulliam Bailey is a Religion Reporter for The Washington Post and Editor of the Post’s Acts of Faith blog, which you can read here: http://wapo.st/2oGXBfy

READ MORE from Barney Zwartz: http://bit.ly/2oT37Oa

SUBSCRIBE to the ‘Life & Faith’ podcast on iTunes: http://bit.ly/lifeandfaithonitunes