That's not it I think

It's not a question of language, or of the views expressed, or the force with which they're expressed. It's more a lack of humanity, or any sense of depth or complexity.

I have a very good friend who was a Roman catholic monk. It's hard to imagine a more gentle, thoughtful man. Had some on here met him 10 years ago and heard him express his orthodox catholic views they would I suppose have thought it fine to call him a c**t who should go f**k himself. Which would have been very wrong. Not only because he wasn't, but also because, as it happens, he is gay himself, and having struggled with his beliefs and with these conflicts for many years he left his monastery and ceased to be a monk.
So the point is this - express your views, yes, criticise the views of others you believe to be wrong, yes. But as you do so, pause a moment to think how little you really know of others' lives, experiences and stories. And perhaps approach them with a little more humanity.

Posted By: paulg, Jun 8, 15:42:46