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I am just as much an opponent of too many "shoulds" as anyone. But in the case of treating individuals with respect, just because they are human, the word "should" is exactly right, unconditionally.Beliefs are rather fragile things and not a profound part of the person. I disagree with huge numbers of the world's population, for example all Christians, all voters for Bush, all voters for Tony Blair, all those who think the right to bear arms is a good thing, all those who favour the death penalty . . . But I would not argue with them as a ploy towards changing their views. Nor ply them with questions, except in rare instances, out of respect and when I was genuinely puzzled. People acquire beliefs rather easily. Argument is rather a poor way to get people to relinquish beliefs. They will join a group they feel comfortable with. The Sun and Wind had a contest about who could get the man to take off his coat . . . you know the rest.
Modified by ian vincent at Sun, Oct 31, 2004, 05:15:02
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