Silken Fire's Fireplace II

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Debating Within The Fireplace

It has taken a great deal of time to decide whether or not to set up this forum. On the "pro" side of the question was the fact that many groups thoroughly enjoy good, intelligent debates. On the "con" side is our recognition of the fact that MANY of our members are in one or another of the many stages of recovery from a relationship break-up and may still be in the "hurt & angry" stage.

With this in mind, we have established some policies that our managers will be diligently enforcing so that no member EVER feels personally attacked or slighted... Please take the time to read "The Rules of Good Debate" that you will find when you scroll down in this thread...

IF you are feeling super-sensitive or a little upset, please choose another forum until you are having a better day. IF you are feeling upset because someone has differed with your point of view, please visit our "Garden of Peace". IF something is so upsetting to you that you are ready to cancel your membership, please, please, please... sit back and consider the intrinsic value of trying out the same communication strategies you would use if you were having the same convo with someone you love and don't want to lose... You ARE among friends who care about you within our walls and this is an awesome place to find out if you've learned how to listen, how to empathize and how to respond to another person's point of view in a way that builds respect, trust and love...

Some tips for good debate will follow and we sincerely hope that ALL of our members, leave this forum saying, "hmm... that's an interesting way to look at it"..

Wishing you peace always...

The Management Team

This webset page was assembled on Saturday June 30, 2007 by Silken Fire @ Silken Fire's Fireplace II with graphics from the public domain using one of the many auto-scripters available at Chat_Central_Gateway All rights reserved KENDOC 2005

THE RULES OF PEACEFUL DEBATE

Avoid the use of Never.

Avoid the use of Always.

Refrain from saying you are wrong.

You can say your idea is mistaken.

Don't disagree with obvious truths.

Attack the idea not the person.

Use many rather than most.

Avoid exaggeration.

Use some rather than many.

The use of often allows for exceptions.

The use of generally allows for exceptions.

Quote sources and numbers.

If it is just an opinion, admit it.

Do not present opinion as facts.

Stress the positive.

You do not need to win every battle to win the war.

Concede minor or trivial points.

Avoid bickering, quarreling, and wrangling.

Don't win a debate and lose a friend.

Keep your perspective - You're just debating.

Gender bashing is simply generalizing and ALL generalizations are false!

Remember that nicname represents an actual human being with feelings and sensitivities just like your own.. Stay respectful and polite.

SOME TIPS AS TO HOW TO AGREE & DISAGREE WITH AN OPINION:

A. How to Agree Strongly with an Opinion.
1. I couldn't agree more!
2. That's absolutely true!
3. Absolutely!
4. I agree with your point.
5. I'd go along with you there.
6. I'm with you on that.
7. That's just what I was thinking.
8. That's exactly what I think.
9. That's a good point.
10. That's just how I see it.
11. That's exactly my opinion.

B. How to Half Agree with an Opinion.
1. Yes, perhaps, however ...
2. Well, yes, but ...
3. Yes, in a way, however ...
4. Hmm, possibly, but ...
5. Yes, I agree up to a point, however ...
6. Well, you have a point there, but ...
7. There's something there, I suppose, however.
8. I guess you could be right, but ...
9. Yes, I suppose so, however ...
10. That's worth thinking about, but ...

C. How to Disagree Politely with an Opinion.
1. I am not so sure.
2. Do you think so?
3. Well, it depends.
4. I'm not so certain.
5. Well, I don't know.
6. Well, I'm not so sure about that.
7. Hmm, I'm not sure you're right.
8. I'm inclined to disagree with that.
9. No, I don't think so.

D. How to Disagree Strongly with an Opinion.
1. I disagree.
2. I disagree with your idea.
3. I'm afraid I don't agree.
4. I'm afraid your idea is wrong.
5. I can't agree with you.
6. I couldn't accept that for a minute.
7. You can't actually mean that.
8. I wouldn't go along with you there.
9. You can't be serious about that.
10. You must be joking.
11. It's possible you are mistaken about that.

Note - You need to be very polite when disagreeing with someone... even someone you know quite well. With someone you know very well, you can disagree more directly.

I could not have made up better rules myself.

Since my reply has somehow got lost.. i'll reply once again....

See message 3, A 1

Important Announcement The MSN Groups service will close in February 2009. You can move your group to Multiply, MSN’s partner for online groups. Learn More
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