I disagree that having these groups are segregating and splintering. Targeted groups tend to bring together people who have little or no representation or community base/support system they feel comfortable with. Bringing people together seems quite the opposite of splintering/segregating.
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I would ask others to examine the assumption of exclusivity when they see certain groups like these. What is the reason behind the discomfort felt and is this assumption being used as a justification for not engaging such groups?
~Raven~
Hey Raven,
Ok, maybe I'm having a mentally challenged moment, but by this post are you seeing some form of debate - or difference - between our viewpoints ?
And that there's some value in that debate ? I'm confused ?????
My comments have been to simply point out the advantages & disadvantages, the pros & cons of splintering.
So I'm struggling to see where you're going with this and what your real point is ? Maybe it's just me ......duhhhhhh
But the fact that it IS splintering is not debatable.
That would be like saying the sky isn't blue.
And when you introduced some comments about the mens vs womens groups, or the religious groups etc at school, I lost what you were trying to tie that to entirely LOL But it serves as a good illustration of the point.
If a group labeled themselves as a 'christian' group, hung their banner out that way, then it's not likely to attract many non-christian members. How is 'poly' any different ? If some group decides to go off on their own and hang out a banner that says "18 to 35 polys come here" or "Young polys " etc, who do you expect is GOING to come there ? And who do you suppose is going to assume (feel) that they don't belong and not go there ?
But in any case, regarding poly in particular and what I've seen from browsing some of these sites and related discussions, there appears to be two different aspects to the whole discussion. The folks that seem to want to break off and build something better fitting them "seem" to be more focused on the networking aspects - the finding potential lovers etc - than some of the bigger picture aspects. And that's something I can see where there might be a desire. But I'm just seeing the potential that along with that there could be some 'blinder' effect and that if they stay locked only into those environments they may miss out on some of the bigger picture issues until in some cases it may be too late.
Life is full of risks & choices & setting priorities. I only serve up the reminder that it's wise to be AWARE of those risks & choices.
In the case of this splintering, although there's no doubt in my mind that the intentions of the groups are not to ostracize anyone, the choice of labeling and how they are promoted are going to have that effect unless they intentionally put effort into explaining to 'muslims' that they are more than welcome to come on in to our 'christian' group too ! Because the 'label' and all the 'buzz' is going to convey a very different message.
That make sense ?