Places for Public Discourse

Hello strangers of the internet!

I'm hoping to find out places or forums, heck maybe a group meetup, that facilitate people having open and civil conversations about various subjects - be it politics, science, religion, etc. I've had a growing desire to connect with people who may not think like I do and have meaningful and engaging conversations. I've found it increasingly difficult to approach strangers these days to have an honest, enjoyable conversation as I feel terribly about wasting people's time.

And I hear you now reddit - "Nerd, just go find some friends, that's what they're for". I do have a few, I'd like to think. But what's wrong with a few more? Also, many of my friends are like-minded to me, probably why we get along!

Thank you.