Why is alternative living so controversial?

[Nymphs]

Polyamory? Child-free? Vegetarian? Atheist?

What is so wrong with doing something that doesn't affect another person?

 

[LuisDantas]

Our choices, even preferences, do affect other people to some degree. If nothing else, they shape the subject matters that can be discussed openly.

That is not an easy adjustment for many people to make, alas.

 

[Tumah]

Is it really that controversial by itself?
Maybe it is the preponderance of alternative-lifestylers trying to push the boundaries of those who aren't interested in having their boundaries pushed.

Just as an example. Having some gender neutral restrooms wouldn't bother me. Arguing that all restrooms should be gender-neutral is pushing your lifestyle onto me.

 

[Nymphs]

Is it really that controversial by itself?
Maybe it is the preponderance of alternative-lifestylers trying to push the boundaries of those who aren't interested in having their boundaries pushed.

Just as an example. Having some gender neutral restrooms wouldn't bother me. Arguing that all restrooms should be gender-neutral is pushing your lifestyle onto me.

Pushing?

How is someone eating no meat or having multiple life partners at the same time pushing?

How is discussing gender neutral bathrooms pushing?

 

[Tumah]

Pushing?

How is someone eating no meat or having multiple life partners at the same time pushing?

How is discussing gender neutral bathrooms pushing?

As I said in my example: making all restrooms gender neutral is where I think the controversy starts. If you will go back to that other thread you will see the OP provided a link to an article advocating such a stance.

 

[LuisDantas]

As I said in my example: making all restrooms gender neutral is where I think the controversy starts. If you will go back to that other thread you will see the OP provided a link to an article advocating such a stance.

How is it pushing?

 

[Tumah]

How is it pushing?

Ok maybe pushing isn't the correct word. But it is not hard to understand why putting forward such a stance in light of current general social standards will result in controversy.

 

[Nymphs]

Ok maybe pushing isn't the correct word. But it is not hard to understand why putting forward such a stance in light of current general social standards will result in controversy.

Black people married white people resulting in controversy.

Gay people getting married resulted in controversy.

Women voting resulted in controversy.

Your point?

 

[LuisDantas]

Ok maybe pushing isn't the correct word. But it is not hard to understand why putting forward such a stance in light of current general social standards will result in controversy.

And that is not a good thing?

 

[columbus]

Polyamory? Child-free? Vegetarian? Atheist?

What is so wrong with doing something that doesn't affect another person?

Why do you start threads about the topics on the internet if not because you thrive on controversy?

Tom

 

[Nymphs]

Why do you start threads about the topics on the internet if not because you thrive on controversy?

Tom

If you have a personal question, I'd be more than happy to answer via PM. I'm not in the business of personal insults in threads, just an FYI.

I'm just a very curious person and debates/arguments/discussions often spawn questions in my mind and I'd like to know what other people think.

:yes:

 

[Tumah]

And that is not a good thing?

Was the question whether controversy is good or why there is controversy?

 

[kashmir]

Why do you start threads about the topics on the internet if not because you thrive on controversy?

Tom

I agree, said person keeps making threads after threads on the subject and then plays victim when others voice their opinions.

It's also as if some are actually try to push Polyamory as if they have the correct world view that everyone else should adapt to.

Child-free? Vegetarian? Atheist?

Black people married white people resulting in controversy.

Gay people getting married resulted in controversy.

Women voting resulted in controversy.

Someone doesn't seem to get it, there are billions of people in the world, we will never ever ever completely agree on everything and by rights, do not have to.
Since I am bored I will break this down even further on how the comparisons are reaching for air.

1)child free
Those that comment and say "when you two having kids? etc"
That does not mean "YOU MUST HAVE KIDS YOU WORTHLESS PIG!!!!"
Nothing controversial about asking if and when they may have kids.

2)Vegans do not even belong in this picture...
Never ever ever heard "OMFG, KILL THE VEGAN BEFORE HE MULTIPLIES!!!"
Have heard..."Wow, I could never give up my juicy fat steak even if it was healthier to do so"
Nothing controversial about this at all.

3)Atheists, plenty of pushing and mocking that onto religious people and vice versa.
Controversial isn't even the right word, its more like bigotry from a bias stance.

Nothing about any of the above(1-3) is even remotely comparable to Polyamory.

Women voting?
Someone is living in the dark ages

Interracial marriages?
Someone is living in the dark ages

Gay rights?
Completely acceptable to show on TV.
When movie stars, sports stars, politicians etc "come out"
Most of us are like, ok, so what, yesterdays news, whippy do.
Might as well told me they had breakfast food for lunch, who gives a damn?
Frankly, I feel the same way about Polyamory.
Who cares what others do in their bedrooms and with other couples.
Why do they need to create threads after threads on the exact same subject?

However, if people are going to expect the whole world to come to "their terms" on sexuality, they are going to have a bad day.
Same with gender-less restrooms, so now people get to tell me what I should feel about where I drop my pants to do my business?
Kind of being a hypocrite to even suggest that all restrooms should be gender-less.

 

[Gehennaite]

Maybe it is the preponderance of alternative-lifestylers trying to push the boundaries of those who aren't interested in having their boundaries pushed.

Yep. I agree. Until God sorts it out I'm free to criticize and defend my consciousness however I please.

 

[oldbadger]

I agree, said person keeps making threads after threads on the subject and then plays victim when others voice their opinions.

It's also as if some are actually try to push Polyamory as if they have the correct world view that everyone else should adapt to.



Someone doesn't seem to get it, there are billions of people in the world, we will never ever ever completely agree on everything and by rights, do not have to.
Since I am bored I will break this down even further on how the comparisons are reaching for air.

1)child free
Those that comment and say "when you two having kids? etc"
That does not mean "YOU MUST HAVE KIDS YOU WORTHLESS PIG!!!!"
Nothing controversial about asking if and when they may have kids.

2)Vegans do not even belong in this picture...
Never ever ever heard "OMFG, KILL THE VEGAN BEFORE HE MULTIPLIES!!!"
Have heard..."Wow, I could never give up my juicy fat steak even if it was healthier to do so"
Nothing controversial about this at all.

3)Atheists, plenty of pushing and mocking that onto religious people and vice versa.
Controversial isn't even the right word, its more like bigotry from a bias stance.

Nothing about any of the above(1-3) is even remotely comparable to Polyamory.

Women voting?
Someone is living in the dark ages

Interracial marriages?
Someone is living in the dark ages

Gay rights?
Completely acceptable to show on TV.
When movie stars, sports stars, politicians etc "come out"
Most of us are like, ok, so what, yesterdays news, whippy do.
Might as well told me they had breakfast food for lunch, who gives a damn?
Frankly, I feel the same way about Polyamory.
Who cares what others do in their bedrooms and with other couples.
Why do they need to create threads after threads on the exact same subject?

However, if people are going to expect the whole world to come to "their terms" on sexuality, they are going to have a bad day.
Same with gender-less restrooms, so now people get to tell me what I should feel about where I drop my pants to do my business?
Kind of being a hypocrite to even suggest that all restrooms should be gender-less.

Yeah...... but you mix bacon with cheese now that would be hard to defend. Yuck.....

 

[Curious George]

I would hazard a guess that we evolved a sensitivity to social norms and conventions. When someone acts outside our perceived social norms and conventions there is a visceral reaction of discomfort. Instead of employing critical thinking and reflection, people respond with a range of behavior designed to curtail behavior. This range includes, avoidance, teasing, bullying, confrontation, and condemnation. However, some behaviors such as religious deviation have much more psychological baggage than most "alternative" choices. I imagine the list of reasons why people react unfavorably toward religious deviation is more words than this forum allows in posts.

But I do agree with Luis. Our behavior and personal choices all affect others.

 

[Desert Snake]

Vegetarian is controversial? Where?

 

[kashmir]

Yeah...... but you mix bacon with cheese now that would be hard to defend. Yuck.....

No, it's "extra" Bacon and Cheese, huge difference buddy and much tastier

Vegetarian is controversial? Where?

This reminds me of the one series of "Survivor" when they voted off the Vegan because she made it impossible for them to enjoy the Boar they caught and cooked up.
She cried for hours, I felt horrible for her, even if it was all faked drama.

 

[illykitty]

Vegetarian is controversial? Where?

I wouldn't call vegetarian controversial, but it annoys some people. I've read of people being teased, bullied, yelled at, etc. Of course I won't say that there aren't smug vegetarians... But I never encountered either personally, I find people generally accepting here.

I think the reason why these topics are so hard is because it challenges social norms and lifestyle choices people take. Some people don't like to think about things like that. Prefer to either pretend that it doesn't exist or react badly. Personally I like to think about topics like those and talk... At least try to understand it on some level. To my experience it doesn't work well irl they're taboo subjects among the list of many... Only small talk seems acceptable, so boring!

Also, there's still a few people in my family that ask why I don't want children and try to persuade me. :help: I try my best to ignore them when they say that or just keep the reply short and to the point. The rest are either supportive or accepting.

 

[Nymphs]

Vegetarian is controversial? Where?

Religious circles. Especially conservative ones. You wouldn't believe the hate I got growing up being a vegetarian. It was ridiculous.