Must We Agree?

??? What do you think?

No. Much more fun to be disagreeable. 

If we all agreed, there would not be anything to discuss.  IMV, sharing thoughts should be honest.  Trying to please may be politically correct, but it can hide ones true feelings.
 
There is a tendency to try and be "right" in what we post.  Nothing wrong with that until it becomes an obsession.  No one is perfect and no one can claim to be right all the time.  There are mistakes made in posting and they are not always grammatical.  It may be that we are in such a hurry to make the post that we don't take the time to review what we said and catch the mistake(s). 
 
There are some subjects that tend to inflame:  Two of the biggest points of contention have been religion and guns.  Taking a stand on religion based on one's interpretation of any man written source can expect rebuttal.  Taking a stand on guns will elicit a response based on perception or experience with guns. Another subject that tends to irritate is the on-going genocide inflicted on the Palestinians by America’s beloved Israel.   
 
This forum states: "A place for budding and experienced authors to share ideas about publishing and marketing books."  When we left the "budding" stage, and ran out of new ideas, we may have realized how futile this was and commented on things affecting our daily lives.  We get involved with discussions about world events.  We also share events about our personal lives.  All these things are beneficial to writers who can draw upon the experience/feelings of others that can be woven into the stories we write.

All in all, a good place to meet and share.  We morn the loss of friends we met on this forum.  They all made a contribution.  We don't know who will be next to leave us realizing that death will happen. What happens after death will remain a mystery.

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                         I think Shelagh should create a " Memorial Thread, " a box with
each name and a eternal flame, that would be awesome !

                                                            Cheers.......Joe.......

Agree Joe on the Memorial Thread.  Don't think an eternal flame is needed.  The name of the person, the book(s) they wrote, date of birth and date of death.

The idea of a memorial section is also too sad for me.  I would rather just enjoy remembrances along the way.  However, for people who did not know them, their importance would be memorialized.

As for "must we agree?" It appears that when people who are determined to be perfectly right on their opinion continue to have disagreement from others instead of complete agreement, they become tired of posting and leave.  That's a shame because it is the challenge of opposing ideas that keeps the mind sharp and helps to clarify beliefs and values.  I learn as much about who I am from who I am not and what opinions do not fit my framework as I do about things with which I agree.

One example is the subject of abortion - a religious and controversial issue.  I have strong feelings about taking a life - any life - even those of animals.  I feel that life has a natural course set for itself and that interfering with it is not humane.  However, I also see a life force in all living things and they get life from other living things.  Therefore, to sustain life itself, other living organisms die.  That's the way it is with all sentient beings.  There may be times when ending a human life, even an embryo, is appropriate even though it does not fit my belief scheme.

The human mind gains knowledge and if that was not part of evolution,it would not occur.  The use of that knowledge is a frightening thing.  Should such use be unfettered? Who is the judge of how it's used?  And for what purpose? 

But then, there are people who do not believe in evolution.  It's very clear to me that all things evolve.  I see examples everywhere in the world and in my daily life.  Therefore, my opinions are shaped by my belief that evolving is a natural part of the universe.  However, brilliant people once were certain if they sailed a certain distance they would fall off the earth.  In my own community was a group of very brilliant people who had a fascinating communal living concept with inventions to assist their daily life that benefited the entire area.  They believed our earth was inside the planet - one has to see their illustrations to even conceive of such an idea.  They called themselves Koreshans
https://www.floridastateparks.org/park/Koreshan


So while I have very strong beliefs about some things, I know that beliefs may change with new information. New information may come from debating in a forum such as this.  Even if an idea doesn't change in the debate, adding more information along the way may have an impact.


How does this relate to writing?  Learning to clearly express an idea so it's well understood is the art of the pen.  Expression may be about anything and it's practice.

Good thoughts, DK.  Learning is a never ending process.  Input of any kind can be stimulating and cause us to THINK.  Thinking seems to be a thing of the past.  Relying on the media to do our thinking for us is hazardous.  I like stimulating discussions, but dislike discussions where any one person feels he/she has a corner on knowledge.

joefrank wrote:

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                         I think Shelagh should create a " Memorial Thread, " a box with
each name and a eternal flame, that would be awesome !

                                                            Cheers.......Joe.......

It will take time to find all the deceased authors' books, Joe, but I'll set up a memorial board and make a start.

Thanks Shelagh.  It will be a tribute to those who passed our way and touched our lives.

A great idea--the memorial thread .

Thank you Shelagh.  That's very kind and an honor to those who shared their thoughts and works here but have passed.

I've added two members so far to the board "In Memoriam". There are eight more to be added.

http://www.publishedauthors.org/f42-in-memoriam

Saw the first two and it is well done.  There is no place for remarks/comments.  I suppose it is intended that way.

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           Shelagh..

                        You did a beautiful job ! I read about two people I didn't know, 
it's touching and sad and yet brings you into the lives and works of these great
authors..Thank You !

                                                   Cheers...........Joe......

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                     DK..

                             I agree with everything you have said, about abortion I'm against it and
yet as a man I know it's not my place but I'm one of those who regards life very highly ! Many
times sitting in my Dr.'s examining room I see a chart with the stages of being pregnant and I
cannot for the life of me seeing anyone aborting a child at four months, five months or even
six months, it saddens and depresses me just like there are no laws to protect animals when
some maniac kills them for fun, to me he should be given a stiff sentence not a fine, just me..

                                                                   Cheers...Joe..........

Thank you , Shelagh.  What a beautiful idea and so well done.

I've added five former members; five more to be added.

Just read the one on Carol Trostler.  So sad that she never finished her last novel (couldn't find a mainline publisher) that was about her husband's participation in the Cuban Missle crisis.  I read the manuscript and hope that eventually a member of the family will seek publication.

Had the pleasure of meeting Carol and her husband, Tom when they came to visit me in Germany.  We went to the Christmas market in Speyer, by the historical cathedral.  Those are memories will will last.

It's so lovely to meet someone you've me on the Internet and find they are who they represented.  However, there is no such requirement.  For some people, the Internet gives them the opportunity to be a person they wish to appear rather than who they are and that's okay too so long as they are not harming anyone by their choice.

I had to rearrange the listings to add Rainbow. The edited versions were untidy during the process, but everything seems to be back in neat and tidy order.

We met Carol and Tom twice.  We went to their new house the second time.
We had a trip to England  all planned to visit Sheglagh.  Alas it was not to be. Carol's cancer returned and my brain operation broke on one side and had to be redone
Tom was immaculate and  took wonderful care of her. 
He and Dave got on very well
I miss  her lots

W Lane Rogers was a good friend who was editing a book for me.  My hubby enjoyed his posts also.