It is okay to disagree... [long post alert! *lol*]

[Guest guest]

Really, it is quite alright to disagree with things

other people claim or say. It is okay to express

that disagreement in a polite manner. If a member

of the list makes a claim about a food item, product

or dietary idea that you have differing information

on and you would like to share that information or

opposing idea, then that is fine.... please do it.

We can all learn and grow from these exchanges.

It becomes tedious when the exchanges dissolve

into arguments and personality clashes, but the

core information that gets exchanged is welcome

here.

 

There is not a list on that has not experienced

disagreements between two or more people in the

past. i have yet to encounter a message board

anywhere where everyone agrees all the time.

We do have many things in common, but we are

all different and come from different paths of

experience. Let us continue to share these differences

and celebrate our commonalities as well.

 

If disagreements or the sharing or opposing ideas

makes a member feel uncomfortable, then perhaps

this list is not the right place for them. There are many

wonderful vegetarian recipe exchange lists

that are strictly moderated and the only posts allowed

are recipes. That sort of list is not the type i chose to

create and help foster. i wanted a list where it was

alright to share a broad range of topics and ideas

along with a good scattering of delicious recipes and

food ideas. i wanted a list where people like myself

could find a sense of community. All of us take special

care to label our posts that are " recipe only " in the titles

to make it easier for members not interested in

discussions to avoid those sorts of posts. We have over

900 members and there is no way a list that size will

keep all members happy all of the time, but i feel we do

a pretty good job as a group of being interesting and

informative.

 

Vegetarians are, generally speaking, informed, intelligent

and very opinionated people. Most of us have done a

fair amount of reading and research on nutrition and

causes before making our decision to become a vegetarian.

Many of us continue to read more on nutrition and vegetarian

issues so that we can have answers to the hard questions

that other people outside of our " community " ask us.

That is why this list is here, to share that wealth of information

and express our diverse ideas.

 

Will always agree with everything said?

No.

 

Can we disagree politely and with respect for others?

i surely hope we all strive to do this.

 

Will we sometimes screw up or let our egos get

in the way of this?

Sure, we are human after all... but even

that is alright just so long as we pick ourselves back

up and keep trying to do better the next time around.

 

It is my sincere hope that you all continue to enjoy this list;

that we all endeavor to treat each person here with the

same measure of respect that we aspire to show our

animal friends. If at any time it is not enjoyable anymore

and you choose to leave i only wish you well on your path.

namaste

 

~ pt ~

 

P.S. Sorry this post was so wordy, on a friday morning

none the less! *lol*