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pan6467 · 03-17-2004, 07:41 AM

Arguing, yes. Truly debating, no.

There are times when I have read a fact filled thread that was written showing respect to my ideology, but pointing out the problems to a certain issue. In doind so, the right made me rethink my stance and forced me to reevaluate and learn more about it.

(And there are times when those conservatives have crucified me and I them for no reason other than we have differing views.)

That's all debates are supposed to do, get you to think and evaluate why you believe a certain way.

The problem is that we hold our beliefs so tightly that we become defensive when pushed as to why we believe what we do. Much like religious people, we only have the facts we choose to have and believe. BUT, the greatest thing about true respectful debate is the exchanging of facts and ideals to where both sides can feel respected and both sides question thier blind beliefs enough to where they need to do research on an issue.

It is far easier to say this and know this than it is to practice it. For noone likes to have their beliefs challenged and even the smallest slight can lead to turning a debate into war. For it gives someone an out and they no longer have to worry about looking within.

For USTWO and Irate I would have loved to truly hear their side to the items I listed above. I would love to hear why what Liddy said was ok but Stern needs to be censored and taken off. Among the other things listed.

Admittedly I am passionate on my views as are most who want change. That passion can turn a sincere answer into something it was not meant to be, simply by the way it was read or typed or presented.

In the end, we all live, and we all die, and in between we try to get by the best we can.

As Ray Davies has said "we are all God's children and we are all the same to Him, stripped of our clothes and all the things we own."

03-17-2004, 07:41 AM	#35 (permalink)
pan6467 Lennonite Priest Location: Mansfield, Ohio USA	Arguing, yes. Truly debating, no. There are times when I have read a fact filled thread that was written showing respect to my ideology, but pointing out the problems to a certain issue. In doind so, the right made me rethink my stance and forced me to reevaluate and learn more about it. (And there are times when those conservatives have crucified me and I them for no reason other than we have differing views.) That's all debates are supposed to do, get you to think and evaluate why you believe a certain way. The problem is that we hold our beliefs so tightly that we become defensive when pushed as to why we believe what we do. Much like religious people, we only have the facts we choose to have and believe. BUT, the greatest thing about true respectful debate is the exchanging of facts and ideals to where both sides can feel respected and both sides question thier blind beliefs enough to where they need to do research on an issue. It is far easier to say this and know this than it is to practice it. For noone likes to have their beliefs challenged and even the smallest slight can lead to turning a debate into war. For it gives someone an out and they no longer have to worry about looking within. For USTWO and Irate I would have loved to truly hear their side to the items I listed above. I would love to hear why what Liddy said was ok but Stern needs to be censored and taken off. Among the other things listed. Admittedly I am passionate on my views as are most who want change. That passion can turn a sincere answer into something it was not meant to be, simply by the way it was read or typed or presented. In the end, we all live, and we all die, and in between we try to get by the best we can. As Ray Davies has said "we are all God's children and we are all the same to Him, stripped of our clothes and all the things we own." __________________ I just love people who use the excuse "I use/do this because I LOVE the feeling/joy/happiness it brings me" and expect you to be ok with that as you watch them destroy their life blindly following. My response is, "I like to put forks in an eletrical socket, just LOVE that feeling, can't ever get enough of it, so will you let me put this copper fork in that electric socket?"