I need the love, whether it's here or elsewhere, but i can't avoid the realities existing in our world without trying to be a change agent. Anything worth doing can be difficult, but that's what i need to do.

If i didn't believe that i'm not sure what i'd do. We just haven't reached the tipping point where the functional speak louder than the dysfunctional, but without the yelling.

@josephr The tipping point is ever closer. The balance is on the number of public individuals who don't feel the need to conform, once it is not taboo the floodgates will open. Worldwide many countries have moved past the need for religions and the world is better for it. Tolerance and civility tend to follow.

For example, the vast majority of people who take issue with LGBT rights in the US do so due to "religious conviction". When that goes, so will much of the problem.

@ThisGuy That's the way i see the future evolving also. And if history continues to repeat itself, any such changes will be accompanied by societal stresses like the many we're seeing again. I am optimistic though, and i don't believe my optimism is misplaced.

Welcome, and you're right; it gets tiresome and exhausting but we can't give up; or what will we be left with.

Welcome Serenity!

I know what you're saying because i've felt that way myself. Nevertheless, if i can turn an acrimonious discussion during which i've been name-called into a civil exchange of ideas i believe that i have accomplished something meaningful.

@josephr it’s work! It can wear us out, trying to help others see there are many ‘ways,’ in the world!

I know, i know @patchoullijulie, and i am trying to improve. But my emotional competencies are inhibiting me. hahahaha

As relevant today as it was then.

Not my job since i no longer work in any traditional sense; but in my home, yes @LucyLoohoo. I've been a change agent in several professions for most of my life, and for the last 4 or 5 years, i've used social media to write, comment, editorialize, negotiate, and to build relationships with a diverse group of people around the world. The abuse has been one consequence of my political and societal views. Fortunately, most of the time, the experiences are positive and uplifting, and loving what i do, i take the good with the challenging, for therein i know lies the balance. Thanks again.

@josephr is it abuse or are your opinions simply being disagreed with?

@LilAtheistLady Good question! How do we define ''abuse?" Is this something which results in libel against you? Economic problems?

@LilAtheistLady @LucyLooHoo, what i've been referring to is two things; The first personal experience is when my opinions are being disagreed with using expletives, name calling, and abusive language. I call that abuse. The second is how verbally abusive people are to each other, to groups, to groups of religious people, to people of one political persuasion or another, on and on.

As for the legal questions, in Canada, it would be libelous and actionable if it affected me in some measurable way. Here, proven physical, verbal, and psychological abuses are illegal and the perpetrator can be charged under Canadian Federal and Provincial laws; and are increasingly.
[lawcentralalberta.ca] [canadianlawsite.ca]

But that's not what i'm getting at. Internet abuse demonstrates to me how many people still react violently when their beliefs are challenged. And the more truth there is in the challenge, the more abusive and verbally violent the responses can be.

I know it stops many from speaking their truths, but it won't stop me from doing what i need to do, always respectfully and civilly. But it can be wearing down so i do have to take a break from the acrimony periodically. LLOL

PS: You ask a short question and i give a lengthy answer; maybe that's what pisses some people off. LLOL

@josephr I think that ‘abuse,’ has merged into free speech for some! I like to give a person an opportunity to express anger, when at first presented with my ideas! But, if that continues, it is meant to be either ‘hateful’ or to devalue my opinion or to ‘put me in my place!’ I consider that abuse!

@Freedompath I agree; that's the way i see it too. I also know that people always get angry when they're afraid of losing something important to them; like you say, putting us in our place or devaluing what we say can be expressed hatefully because egos often hate to lose. And sometimes, when the fear is insurmountable, escalation seems inevitable and resolution impossible, so self-extraction is the only peaceable option for me.

@josephr ...extraction...me too!

@Freedompath, @josephr "Self-extraction." Well-put! Just fold your tent and slip out....

@LucyLoohoo @Freedompath, We all have this escape hatch when we feel emotionally trapped or drowning. Suffering is optional. LLOL

@josephr "Suffering" just isn't acceptable! If it's not a good thing....leave! (Funny...I just remembered "Steal away....steal away....steal away to Jeeeeeesusssss....." )

@CoastRiderBill fair enough, that!

g

@CoastRiderBill, perfect analysis. Sometimes it's complicated balancing passions, needs and wants.

It is often difficult to tell, but i from what i have been able to discern, no geographical location, political persuasion, gender, religion, or anything else has a monopoly on abusive behaviour. Sadly.

@josephr yeah, that sucks. That's why I almost never go on FB anymore, or make comments either there, or on news articles. Stupid fascists and trolls have ruined any chance of civil discourse, by and large.

I honestly think that people believe that guy reads a bible, or any book, then there is no hope for them. I have a running bet that he won't make it to the midterms.

@ThisGuy I bet the under on 18 months, and I lost. I hope you win!

@Anne209 I hope so too, for all our sake.