Where do we find common ground?

S

Shibolet

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Where do we find common ground? -

At the end of controversy. That's when we stop learning. Common ground is the point when we come to an agreement to adopt each other's ways to see the Truth. From then on, there is no room for discussions and, as we all know, I hope, there is no learning in the chit-tattering of common beliefs. The only way to resume the process of learning is to return to the beginning of controversy.
 
Well I think that explains a lot!

I think we can find common ground long before we adopt each others ways. Males and Females.... I am not going to become one, we find common ground and a way to co-exist long before that. Same with Asians, Blacks, Hispanics, Russians, Italians, Dogs, Cats, Rocks...I can find ways to coexist with many, and not become them, or adopt their ways. I may and they may adapt to my ways, and we live together.

All my Jewish, Christian, Buddhist, Hindu, Atheist friends.... we have plenty of common ground...we have discussions, we have some controversy, but it does not revolve around controversy.
 
I agree with Wil. It's not at all about finding common ground, it's about learning how to co-exist in a peaceful manner with some sort of mutual respect for our differences. Yes, there will be some common ground, and differences, but I think if that's the focus, then we may have lost the message of tolerance.
 
Shibolet wrote:

"Common ground is the point when we come to an agreement to adopt each other's ways to see the Truth. From then on, there is no room for discussions and, as we all know, I hope, there is no learning in the chit-tattering of common beliefs."

I'm not sure I can agree entirely with your statement... I find "common ground" with people and acknowledge there may be some areas where we don't agree...and I also believe there can always be learning from one another whether the other person shares my beliefs or not! I find this to be the case at Interfaith gatherings in my community.. there are areas where we are in full agreement and some areas where we do not agree but there's enough common ground to agree and have solidarity and work for common ends!

- Art
 
juantoo3 said:
Tolerance is not acceptance. It was a very hard lesson for me to learn. I must tolerate, I do not have to accept.
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Me too. And yet, there it is, right in the very definition of tolerance ... to tolerate. I think the word itself has morphed into something it was never meant to be, and we get fooled by that. Course I could be dead wrong.
 
Yes, tolerating is saying.... I'll put up with your silliness. Acceptance is.... I don't believe what you believe, but I believe you believe what you believe and that is ok with me.
 
wil said:
Yes, tolerating is saying.... I'll put up with your silliness. Acceptance is.... I don't believe what you believe, but I believe you believe what you believe and that is ok with me.
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Not quite.

Tolerance is "I understand you believe what you believe, and clearly what you believe works for you." (More power to you)

Not-Accept(ing) is "what you believe doesn't work for me" (and don't get in my face about it).

The two *must* go together to offset the overzealous fanatical imbalance that any exclusive focus on one side or the other will bring. Remember my thread "Master of my Fate, Captain of my Soul?" (shameless plug, but very appropriate to this discussion)
 
Shibolet said:
Where do we find common ground?
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I think in very many ways, this forum is the common ground. It's a way to express our views on a particular subject. A way to show that we all ask the same questions and have the same concerns. It is only the answers that differ.
 
wil said:
Well I think that explains a lot!

I think we can find common ground long before we adopt each others ways. Males and Females.... I am not going to become one, we find common ground and a way to co-exist long before that. Same with Asians, Blacks, Hispanics, Russians, Italians, Dogs, Cats, Rocks...I can find ways to coexist with many, and not become them, or adopt their ways. I may and they may adapt to my ways, and we live together.

All my Jewish, Christian, Buddhist, Hindu, Atheist friends.... we have plenty of common ground...we have discussions, we have some controversy, but it does not revolve around controversy.
Click to expand...

You are on denial Will, for some reason alien to the issue, you don't want to agree with me. That's the point.
 
Senthil said:
I agree with Wil. It's not at all about finding common ground, it's about learning how to co-exist in a peaceful manner with some sort of mutual respect for our differences. Yes, there will be some common ground, and differences, but I think if that's the focus, then we may have lost the message of tolerance.
Click to expand...

Another one in denial because controversy is a must in plurality of opinions. Controversy will be there whether you want or not.
 
juantoo3 said:
Tolerance is not acceptance. It was a very hard lesson for me to learn. I must tolerate, I do not have to accept.
Click to expand...

Controversy will be there all the same. Controversy exists even between married ones.
 
arthra said:
Shibolet wrote:

"Common ground is the point when we come to an agreement to adopt each other's ways to see the Truth. From then on, there is no room for discussions and, as we all know, I hope, there is no learning in the chit-tattering of common beliefs."

I'm not sure I can agree entirely with your statement... I find "common ground" with people and acknowledge there may be some areas where we don't agree...and I also believe there can always be learning from one another whether the other person shares my beliefs or not! I find this to be the case at Interfaith gatherings in my community.. there are areas where we are in full agreement and some areas where we do not agree but there's enough common ground to agree and have solidarity and work for common ends!

- Art
Click to expand...

That's obvious, but "common ground" as the issue under discussion was not explained to be only on some points and not on others. There is always room for controversy.
 
wil said:
Yes, tolerating is saying.... I'll put up with your silliness. Acceptance is.... I don't believe what you believe, but I believe you believe what you believe and that is ok with me.
Click to expand...

That's not "common ground" but tolerance of each others differences. You guys don't seem to get to the point.
 
Namaste Jesus said:
I think in very many ways, this forum is the common ground. It's a way to express our views on a particular subject. A way to show that we all ask the same questions and have the same concerns. It is only the answers that differ.
Click to expand...

And that's because of controversy. Were there common ground on what we all believe, the answers would not differ.
 
Devils' Advocate said:
Shib, if you post is essentially saying that we have little chance to learn if we only talk to people who agree with us - I am with you a hundred percent.
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Wow! Now, I can breathe some clean air! Thanks DA. That's what I target for and none would realize it.
 
Common ground is found easily among common ethics - no murder, no stealing, no lying etcetera. Of course if one is contentious or just likes doctrinal focus, one can always argue that the reason for an ethical standard differs amongst spiritual folk. Yet, the common ground remains.
 
Skull said:
Common ground is found easily among common ethics - no murder, no stealing, no lying etcetera. Of course if one is contentious or just likes doctrinal focus, one can always argue that the reason for an ethical standard differs amongst spiritual folk. Yet, the common ground remains.
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All right Skull, but I beg to disagree. Common ethics is too large a field for controversy to be absent. Controversy is found even within the same family environment, let alone in the whole culture of a people.
 
It is 'too large' only if you make it so. Focus on the the handful of world religions and choose only the ethical principles they have in common. Then no problem. Ignoring points of conflict is not that difficult, if one is serious about sharing a common ground.
 
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