I've been reading and posting here a while now, not as much as some, but quite a bit, and I have begun wondering, does anyone take the arguments personally?
There is some old expression about never discussing religion and politics (I do not remember it exactly, maybe one of you can fill me in). The reason behind this is that such discussions always lead to arguments. Of course that's 99% of what goes on here -- religion and politics.
I've found myself disagreeing and arguing for days with one or two individuals, thinking, "boy he's an idiot, he sucks..." Then later, on a different a thread I'm thinking "amen brother, you hit that right on the head there..." and it's the same guy I was disagreeing with earlier.
I'm wondering, pick the two guys who disagree most here -- arch enemies, and put them together to hunt or fish or whatever, and if politics and religion never came up, would they get along just fine?
Life is too short to take any of this stuff seriously. There have been some major arguments that I participated in over the years, and I never let any of them bother me one bit. It is just not worth it. At one point I received an email froman individual on this board regarding the topic of Johnny Taliban, wondering if I was truely uset with him. The answer was, absolutely not, we just agree to disagree.
As far as your second question:
Quote:
I'm wondering, pick the two guys who disagree most here -- arch enemies, and put them together to hunt or fish or whatever, and if politics and religion never came up, would they get along just fine?
Personally, I doubt it. Religion and politics are more than just personal opinions. They are the very fabric of what defines us. Our innermost thoughts come out in the form of religion, and or politics, they are how we define ourselves. Religion particularly is such an important aspect in my life it is hard not to have it show through in every other aspect. As such, it is hard to find common ground with anyone whose beliefs are 180 degrees different than mine. My personal beliefs in Christ define everything else in my life. Could I share a hunting camp with someone who has absolutely no desire or interest in Christ? Probably, but there would always be something between us, and because of that I doubt we would ever be truely close friends.
I can honestly say I haven't taken anything on this board personally. I was attacked on another message board and what was said did bother me some. I think there was confusion there in what i meant, what I stood for, what i argued for and againt because of the limited abilities of the board itsself (quotes, editing etc)
But no, all in all, nothing personal. One can learn great things from arguing/debating on this board. Its'll try your convictions and beliefs to the core, and honestly I wish we had more liberals, minorities, homosexuals etc to really get things heated up.
I don't take it personally. We're here because of a common love of hunting and the outdoors. Politics is just a distraction until the season starts.
Now I do take the goings-on in Washington seriously, as most of us do. But the forum members are just a cross-section of hunting America, and we are bound to differ in many ways.
I think it's all in fun too. It is possible to respectfully disagree without any harm.
Just remember, you are only name on this BBS. If you posted your actual real name on this BBS, and act like a total a$$, then you could open yourself up for some nasty stuff.
Someone could go to "anywho.com" or "switchboard.com" and search you out and find your address, phone number, etc.... and come after you. Example: Let's say I totally lose my mind and go off the deep edge and rip someone to pieces on this board (Charlie P - let's use you and me for an example, okay?). I don't know Charlie P, other than a name on the forum. He's from Vestal, NY (suburb of Binghamton, NY) that's all I know. What if I wigged out and totally, verbally, trashed him on this board which infuriated him. He could go to one of those sites listed above and look me up. Then go, "Hmmm.... Richmond, VA, huh? I outta take a little drive....". Next thing you know, my doorbell rings. I go to answer the door. Charlie P is standing on my front porch and says, "Hey are you Butch Ammon from the Hunting BBS?" I say, "Yes I am". Then all of the sudden, WHAM!!!! Charlie pops me right in the nose and leaves! [&:]
See what I am getting at? People should always try to get along on the board and not cause flame wars. Here's another example.... There is a boating newsgroup that I belong to. There is an infamous poster on there from the Chesapeake Bay area in Maryland, who, well, let's just say, the guy is extremely opinionated and quite full of himself. Someone actually did the example above with Charlie P and myself!! Another boater from the Chesapeake Bay area found where guy's marina is and what his boat's name is. The guy put two and two together and found the other guy at the marina. They met up one day and darn near had a go at it right there on the marina slips!!!! [&:]
Anyway, sorry for the long winded post, but, it's Friday and the boss took the day off. Yee-ha.... I can relax today! [8D]
Well I know some folks I have seen come and go from the board who did take it personally, they got whipped on so bad with facts and questions that I am sure rather than question thier own beliefs they left the board, either that or they got real nasty and got banned!
I have taken some things personally when I have seen veterans trashed, I got POed beyond beleif, no I didn't curse but I cut loose on that person with both barrels, reloaded and did it several more times! If you want to really torque my jaw just start insulting the men and women who have fought for or served our country.
I have to say this place is a fantastic place where you can debate political, social and political issues and know you can vent if need be. In face to face dealings with folks it would be rare to have debates like we have here and not wind up with at a minimum a screaming match, here there is a ton of back and forth on a debate and it seems like the hotter the debate the funnier the thread becomes once everyone feels they have made their point or decided it would simply be the end of the discussion.
I will say this as a fact, I know that some folks have changed thier opinions about certain things due to debates on this board.
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The Tazman aka Martin Price
Proud father of a Devil Dog
Anyone take it personal?
