Thread: Mutual Respect

I would like to propose something. Many here have very emotional links to thier beliefs and are willing to defend those beliefs with vigor. I enjoy those debates and wouldn't have them any other way. However, I've also noticed that both sides seem to degenerate into what amounts to name calling and assumptions of ignorance. No, I'm not just talking about you FFA. I've done it myself. I am creating this thread in the hopes that we can all agree to listen to each other's arguments and respect the other's opinions without reducing ourselves to cheap emotionalism. Mutual respect should be given to everyone's opinion. I know it's a sticky subject, but lets all play nice.

Originally Posted by sid2112

I would like to propose something. Many here have very emotional links to thier beliefs and are willing to defend those beliefs with vigor. I enjoy those debates and wouldn't have them any other way. However, I've also noticed that both sides seem to degenerate into what amounts to name calling and assumptions of ignorance. No, I'm not just talking about you FFA. I've done it myself. I am creating this thread in the hopes that we can all agree to listen to each other's arguments and respect the other's opinions without reducing ourselves to cheap emotionalism. Mutual respect should be given to everyone's opinion. I know it's a sticky subject, but lets all play nice.

While that a nice ideal and everything, a debating message board without occasional outbursts of emotionalism and snide comments would become a horrible bore. I didn't sign up here because I thought PH was the online equivalent to Toastmasters.

Is emotionalism a word?

And what the hell is ToastMaster?

Originally Posted by Zarathustra

And what the hell is ToastMaster?

The Lord of Burnt Toast? Thy King of Browned Bread?

Actually, Toastmasters is a pretty big and official debate club...there are chapters all over the world.

Welcome to Toastmasters International where we are"Making Effective Communication a Worldwide Reality"

I understand that a certain amount of emotionalism is to be expected and I certainly wouldn't ask someone not to respond to a snide remark. This is more of a reminder that this is a debate forum and not a schoolyard. If it was I would have beaten you all up and taken your lunch money by now.

Why diss' FFA? Not cool, Sid, not cool!
And you're wrong- if this was a school yard you'd be dead right now...

I come here to have my views attacked and to force me to understand issues better. Often, the people with the most knowledge who are willing to post frequently have an edge to them. I'll endure the personal attacks from such people because the interchange is of high quality. Folks who abuse and nothing else should just be banned. But we're all adults here, praticing our writing and thinking and typing skills with total strangers...

So bring it on......

:girlfight:

It does kinda ruin the mood, when a good debate reaches emotional proportions.