OK. Let's get serious here. I predicted many posts ago that Charles was having a breakthrough, and was really upset that his beliefs were being challenged. It is not easy to have this happen. It is an invasion of one's space...it is devastating to one's self concept. Let's try to be understanding, shall we? I personally have become agoraphobic in the last couple of years. I have no idea why. I had to retire from a job I love.
These people are victims of a belief system that was imposed upon them by someone...none of us knows by whom, it no longer matters. It is clear that the PLF (PAST LIFE FORUM) is no longer interested in Charles. It is up to us to accept him, and help him.
It's a beautiful thought, but it's unfortunately not very feasible. Unlike the PLF, the JREF forums do not require their members to be nice (basic civility is demanded, but that's certainly not the same thing). That's why it isn't possible to keep people from being confrontational.
And more importantly, Charles has demonstrated very low tolerance to perceived insults. Some rude posters and a bunch of indifferent ones in a thread are enough to hurt his feelings so that the few nice ones are forgotten. This leaves Charles unable to comfortably engage in conversation; although some people are polite, the fact that not all are is enough to make him feel persecuted.
And, as demonstrated, when people feel persecuted, they are rude without knowing it. I'm certain Charles has at no point
intended to insult the members of this forum, but there's no denying that he did, anyway. As long as he doesn't realize it himself, the insults will continue, and as long as they do, a backslash is inevitable. It is an unfortunate but natural vicious circle.
Because the JREF forum favours openness over niceness, it isn't possible to break the circle from our side. Even if many forumites are sympathetic of Charles, not all will be - and the ones who aren't are entitled to their opinion. Thus, the only way to get over the bad beginning and lay foundations for a truly fruitful relationship is for Charles to start ignoring the rudeness of JREF forumites and attempting to moderate his own.
I have suggested this to Charles before, but as my expression is often sharp, I expect he has viewed it as ridicule and insult - and I suppose he isn't entirely wrong, either. Still, I believe the idea is a good one, and if someone a touch more sensitive than I could get Charles to understand it, I would be overjoyed.
Charles, if you can accept that the people here will not believe your claims (without evidence), and that they will offer alternative explanations, you could actually have a good time here. If you cease to view us as potential converts, and instead view us as a bunch of people with different background and different levels of knowledge, you may find we're not so impossible to talk to. And if you stop thinking of us as a mindless mob, understand that we are separate people with separate opinions, and treat us accordingly, you will certainly find friends.
