LOL, I fixed the double posting.
I agree, Timber, sometimes people who've had the same argument a few dozen times and neither side budged an inch seem to think that browbeating and namecalling will work better than the respectful discourse they've been using. It isn't better, rarely makes the other guy want to see your point of view as his own and inevitably it degenerates into a contest because neither side wants to lose or look like they've lost by simply bowing out.
Hmm, well in answer to the end of your particular post, Timber, my questions is this- why does anyone have to 'educate' another member? Is simply exchanging views, seeing how the 'other side' thinks and feels and accepting that you have at least swapped info and become more aware of each other as human beings and people you interact with not a possiblity? Does someone HAVE to 'learn a specific lesson' for it to be meaningful?
That's the part I've never understood about the 'pissing contests'. Winning or losing isn't the issue in most of these discussions. Giving one's opinion and facts and learning how others feel on a subject doesn't necessarily have to end in namecalling.
I'm a faithful Christian but I've never felt the need to call people who are of another religion or completely disbelieve all I believe in, any foul names in order to somehow make them take up living the same way I do. I have certain beliefs about guns, but I don't think forcefeeding my opinion to other members here will change their views, necessarily. It might give them greater insight into me as a person and I can learn more about them, but in the end, we'll go our seperate ways and IF someone changes their mind about an issue after a respectful discussion, that's great, some dialog and serious thought has taken place. If they don't, that's ok too, it won't radically change how I live my life from day to day but I'll be a little richer for the experience.
At any rate, the discussions here should be done respectfully. It IS possible, as we've seen in the past. Perhaps those who've gotten to 'break point' on a particular issue could consider making their opinion known in any new threads if they choose to, then bowing out before their blood pressure rises and they get the urge to start smashing others or tossing out insults.
Basically, if you're at a point where you feel like you're hitting a brick wall, back up! Go another way- find another thread and participate there, or go out for some air and enjoy a movie, your friends, a beer, anything but bashing at members of the forum.
[ 03-25-2004, 07:22 AM: Message edited by: Cloudbringer ]