Posted by Dinah on January 21, 2002, at 10:57:10
In reply to Re: Rules, posted by Gracie2 on January 21, 2002, at 3:45:07
Gracie, you do have a great son!
I think you all are correct in that the question in a society or government is a balance in the number of rules.
But on a more personal level, in everyday life, I like rules. Not necessarily state imposed ones, but rules of ethics, social conduct, etc. I have trouble with figuring out the social conduct rules and wish they were more well defined. That's why I like this board. The rules are very clear and easy to understand. In the real world, I seem to have my own idiosyncratic views of polite behavior which do not agree to societal norms and therefore, I guess, my attempts to be polite are actually quite rude.
And I prefer my ethical rules to be numerous and well defined. I don't want to impose them on others, just to understand what composes right conduct for myself. I can't tell you how much trouble that viewpoint brings in Sunday School. I am constantly defending the purpose and value of the "Law" to my Protestant classmembers. One of my personal "rules" is that I have to defend opinions and people against unfair criticism whenever necessary, and when a group holds a single viewpoint I have an overwhelming need to present the opposing view. That's true even when I don't hold the opposing view and it leads me to be seen as contrary. Sometimes I wish I could decide that things aren't my responsibility. Oh well, I guess you can tell I had a difficult Sunday. I always feel so alone when I'm with people.
poster:Dinah
thread:16709
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20020112/msgs/17032.html