Is it possible to learn to listen and understanding other points of views? ?

Question

Do you feel distressed as I am about the animosity in this category?

It is ok to have different points of views, but it is possible to listen to others without harassing them?

I have my believes, I want to understand other believes, but I am, tired of getting targeted every time I ask a question. Is this possible to come to a global understanding or it i just a waste of our time?

It is better to leave this place?

Are we making any difference? Be it one way of thinking or another?

Answer 1

It is possible but there has to be a willingness to try.  I feel much as you do here, yet I feel if I go I am giving into being abused, and I cannot do that, not ever.

Answer 2

there really are some sick people on here that have no sense of their self sometimes i beleive it might be ossaciated to slight mental desease or just alot of frat boys with nothing better to do than act immature before life actually hits them in the face.

Answer 3

I recall my grandfather telling me "never try to argue religion or politics, nobody can ever win", and so right he was.

No, you can't change people's minds in GWS but you may be able to prise their minds open just a little.

What certainly doesn't help are those who cannot resist abusiveness and snidiness in their answers. For instance one of the other answerers on here who commented "Most of the men on here like to ridicule feminism at every chance they get and a few nice little posts on feminism is not going to change their neanderthal views." That type of comment is just gratuitous close-mindedness.

She doesn't seem to realise that the men here (and the women, too) are not setting out to ridicule feminism so much as to raise awareness of some valid criticisms of femism. (And she obviously didn't know that there were neanderthal women too.)

EDIT@Doodlebug: I see that the report monkeys got your excellent question deleted. The report monkeys are another reason we can't get genuine open debate on here.

Answer 4

Sure it is. It's called "not being a douche."

Answer 5

Yes it's possible, but only if the person listening is really trying to hear what the other person is saying. Anybody can sit and listen to someone speak, and still not get the point that person is trying to make (or even care too). I've had several conversations with people outside of this forum to just try and "listen" to them vs. being heard.

But I had to learn that hard way that you can't humble yourself before everyone; because most people don't understand what it means to show others humility. Respecting the thoughts, ideas, and opinions of others means having to admit when they've made a good point, or have proved you wrong on an issue. And a lot of peoples pride will get in the way of allowing them to do so. They're boastful, and feel a sense of righteousness when stating facts that they've found on line, or giving their opinions based on personal experience (we all do it, including me). But what we don't realize is that it never hurts to admit that someone other than yourself is right (or made a good point) on an issue; Or that it shouldn't hurt others when you give your response or state your opinion (meaning using words of slander, name calling, ranting, posting questions in an attempt to embarrass, harass or ridicule others, or dismissing someone else's opinion because you don't agree with it). We really don't have to do that to one another. I think everyone in here is grown and should be able to speak to one another (or communicate with one another) in a civilized manner.  

Answer 6

I find it difficult to accept people who are racist, homophobic or have feminist beliefs.

There is no such thing as the bad gender. I won't have masculinity demonized, I'm sick of hearing it.

I don't want my son growing up as a second class citizen.

Its the same in religion and spirituality, people who follow an ideology can rarely accept or benefit from other points of view.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-...

http://www.freewebs.com/feminism-evaluat...

http://men.typepad.com/mens_hour/2005/07...

Answer 7

Mentioning no names, but some people never ever seem to get the point.

Answer 8

This requires a certain degree of intelligence.

Answer 9

Maybe they attack your point of views because they understand them.

Answer 10

It is possible, but not probable here as I see it.

Respect is more important than listening or understanding. The problem with adults is, they think it's all about them, and they think under-18s know nothing about the world. I think that's the one reason nobody listens to me, though what I say makes every bit of sense.

Whenever a feminist has emailed me (trust me, most of them aren't friendly), they've never failed to mention that my age makes me less educated and socially aware than them. Great. The top answerer here, Rio Madeira, isn't more than 6 years older than I am.

I don't think it's the listening or the understanding that's lacking here, it's acceptance and respect. I know many feminists can read and understand what I post, but due to my being younger than them they have no respect for my views, and despite what I pen being true, they never accept the truth.

The feminists understand what I'm saying, but they're too close-minded to accept the truth. They can see the truth, but they won't accept it.