(I originally posted this on Ronnie's board at Yuku, but thought it had merit here as well, in view of some heated political discusions lately.... It was also written with the ex JW community in mind. With that enjoy. I have edited this slightly for this forum...)
Ah, the Debate board. I should buy a recliner and setup shop here... I come here, not to argue, but to figure things out for myself. Yet, there are times where I disagree with certain posters, and will debate/argue a point.
This isn't done necessarily to prove someone wrong. (that's part of it) But it's also for both of us. I acknowledge and accept that there are large groups of people who see things differently, and they need to be recognized. At the same time, these same people also need to deal with the fact that there are others with differing and legitimate points of view, and they cannot be ignored, no matter how "right" they think they are.
One thing that being a JW has taught me, is that to think you are right at the exclusion of all other different people is dangerous, and probably wrong. We simply do not live in a bubble.
But at times, to argue is very tiring, esp when I see someone with deep seated beliefs. A passionate belief has no virtue by itself. Zeal by itself is dangerous. Thinking that one is "right" and that everyone else needs to get on board is also wrong and dangerous.
Rather then argue for certain things, I thought it would be somewhat liberating for me to simply state what I believe. Thankfully, no matter what you think of this, it only needs to be good enough for me.
Hmmm
Is that necessary? Do you care what I think?
That is debatable.
The fact is, I do have my beliefs. I find it increasingly less important to argue for them however. In that sense, the debate board has done it's job.
Does that mean that I will not "butt in" from time to time on a topic that I feel strongly about? Far from it. But what I get from these arguments/debates is that two entrenched points of view need to somehow make peace with each other, live side by side, and accommodate each other with the realization that the two said parties are not going to change.
Because allowing and accommodating the person who is different, and in the minority, and giving him/her their space and autonomy is probably the one piece of my manifesto that I will put out there.
Believe what you want. Think how you want. But allow others there space to do the same. If they aren't hurting you, its well worth it to let them be, and to acquiesce if your beliefs deny them their autonomy and recognition.