Posted by Elaine on April 12, 1999, at 8:12:15
In reply to Re: Am I gay?/ DR. BOB??, posted by v on April 12, 1999, at 6:03:21
I think there is a difference between being offended by someone trying to pass their beliefs on and someone who is putting someone else down. I know religious issues can be a sensitive area, but I think the issue here is WHAT is expressed versus HOW it is expressed. Cheryl has expressed what she believes (which is, after all, another form of an opinion) without condemning. Harry was abusive in the MANNER in which he expressed his opinions. Everyone who has commente in the earlier thread agrees that harry has a right to his opinion - but not to express it in a manner that is abusive to others. Do you really think calling someone an "ignoramous" entitles someone to keep posting? I think the "line" is being harmful to others. Cheryl is trying to help. Why can't expressing religious beliefs be considered in the category of suggesting something you think would help someone? Like medication, or meditating, or EMDR. Again, it was the HOW (degradation and disrespect for others) not the WHAT (content) that set harry apart from everyone else. Please look at Dr. Bob's intro to this site that says "Please be civil." Harry was unquestionably not. I hope you can see the difference between the postings of these two individuals. One is entitled to express what one believes as long as it is done in a manner not harmful to others. Cheryl was being passionate, not degrading. Everyone has the freedom to accept or reject any suggestion, but not to be hurt in the reading of it.
poster:Elaine
thread:4699
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/19990401/msgs/4740.html