I don't need a friend
who changes when I change
and who nods when I nod;
my
shadow does that much better.
- Plutarch
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
All legitimate and relevant points of view can be presented effectively on The Other Shul in a proper and cultured manner.
No subscriber has the right to be abusive or discourteous. Intelligent people can encourage others to think about Jewish issues of mutual importance in fresh, new ways without being offensive, and without dominating or denigrating others.
Indeed, has anybody ever convinced you of anything by being nasty? Of course not! They have only succeeded in angering you or in extracting a stronger retort from you. Such people would not be invited into your own living room - and they will soon find themselves off our groups as well.
True, the moderator has his own position on these issues. So does the group as a whole. However, every Jew will be allowed to present a legitimate point of view.
Some people may feel that others are ganging up on them. Moderation does remove some, but not all of this feeling. There may be occasions in which people who represent points of view that differ from your own will seem to come across more strongly than is desirable. This is the result of a successful debate - and you have the option to respond.
That's what a successful discussion group is about.
From time to time some subscribers argue about the orientation. Their complaints follow some or all of the following patterns:
The Other Shul rejects this argument. The Other Shul believes that those who present a strong and effective point of view should be rewarded, rather than punished.
We feel that a point of view that is presented strongly may be correct � even though it may denigrate other points of view. There is no justification for even-handedness when a side has successfully represented Truth in a persuasive manner.
Some people argue that Jews of certain affiliations overwhelm others on the group.
Again, this may result from various possibilities:
These circumstances are not a function of the group. The group should not feel obligated to balance these concepts.
Nonetheless, if you may feel that your method or level of observance is not reflected substantially or numerically in the group, then do something about it. Don�t whine. Don't complain. Invite people of your own persuasion to join. Let them help you present your point of view.
That's right - invite as many people of your own persuasion as you like to join The Other Shul. Stuff the ballot boxes. We welcome your contacts, irrelevant of their ideologies or persuasions.
You and your discussion partners should be sure to justify or verify your points of view with acceptable or traditional sources. It is especially important to be careful about those references on The Other Shul. Many recently-published documents negate or deny traditional Judaism. A quotation from or a reference to those documents is not acceptable on The Other Shul.
Only topics that are raised in good taste and in a non-offensive manner will be posted. An occasional message in poor taste that slips by inadvertently (it happens - the moderator is human) will not be an excuse for posting a rejoinder.
Our goal is to understand our fellow Jews. We do not intend to allow those with superior writing skills to overwhelm the others, and the group does not belong to any individual subscriber. Those who try to monopolize the discussions will be excluded.
You will not be excluded for presenting an opinion in good faith that conflicts with traditional Jewry. The operative concept here is, "in good faith."
Find out more about The Other Shul
Subscribe to The Other Shul
Find out more about other Jewish and Hebrew groups
Subscribe to other Jewish and Hebrew groups
Third Son will help you decide which Jewish group to join
Are you required to read this webpage for a course? Do NOT print out the article. It is copyrighted.
Your exercise for this article is as follows:
What is the best way to show your disagreement with the speaker on The Other Shul?
Copyright © David Grossman. World rights reserved. This article may not be printed, forwarded, reproduced, or copied in any way or in any medium without written permission from David Grossman.
Keyword: Forums
/ourjewishgroups/1TOS/Disagree