*sigh*

[MooseIBe]

So I seem to have inadvertently got myself embroiled in a conversation with a capital F fundy on another board ... this is serendipitous, I suppose, given my GRD thread ;). Anyway, I am being polite but I am also riled and I would just like tips on dealing with such people. I guess the best thing is to KEEP being polite, even when they are being pissy towards me, and let them show themselves up .. or hopefully maybe give up and move off. This person certainly isn't in the Fred Phelps league but they have a hateful and condescending attitude that's really annoying me.

[Pendaric]

You have very little chance of changing their opinion, so don't worry about that. Conduct yourself politely and make your points rationally, however challenging that may be. You are posting for the audience, not the person you are arguing with - let them draw their own conclusions from your behaviour.

[livius drusus]

Try some relaxation techniques -- deep, slow breathing, picturing happy relaxing things like a picnic on the lake or something -- and never post as soon as you write. Write it, step away for 5 minutes, reread it, post it.

[PinkRose]

is your index finger soar? take a week away from the puter, ah, much better.

[Abdul Alhazred]

What other board? CF?

I'd say forget about it.

[curses]

It never hurts to just make your points and make a graceful exit from the thread. It's already been stated that you won't be able to change their opinion, and if you feel it's going in circles then it might be worth it to politely step out. It isn't about winning or losing an argument, but mutual discussion. When that fails, it can quickly turn into a trainwreck for both parties whether they mean for it to happen or not.

[MooseIBe]

I know but it sucks when people treat you like shit because you're not one of the 'elect'.

Then again maybe I should just call it their problem and ignore them from hereon in :)

[livius drusus]

It never hurts to just make your points and make a graceful exit from the thread.

I've got to second this, Moose. Other people's opinions of you, other people's treatment of you, are not very good reasons to keep posting on a bad-vibing thread. You're not likely to change their minds, especially when you're feeling tense, and your other arguments might suffer because of it.

[MooseIBe]

no I am being very polite ;). But yeah, I won't post again if I keep getting responses in the same tone.

[Julian]

Which thread is it, Moosey?

Julian

[MooseIBe]

Oh it's on a small mainly xian forum that I go to.. it doesn't matter.

I wonder if I am in the wrong because I wonder if my intolerance of what I see as intolerant is .. well, just as intolerant.

Is there any real such thing as open mindedness?