You know, because someone disagrees with you doesn't mean they are attacking you personally or that they are trashing you.
It's funny how I am the one to feel persecuted when I go over to other forums that promote breeding. What's sad to me is that those forums are not exactly filled with college grads. I would love to find a breeder who is educated, smart, dedicated and scientific in their approach. So far, I've seen none that fall into that category who post in other forums.
There are definitely some single minded people here who are on a mission some of those folks may not have good social skills. They may offend but then I am offended when I spend hours on a post with a thought-provoking response, only to be responded to with monosyllabic sentences that make no sense.
While I do agree that sometime the folks here aren't exactly welcoming and positive I took the time to READ the forum before jumping in and posting. I knew before I posted what this forum was about, and who was who. This helped ME not to completely offend the entire forum by coming in and stating I was looking for fellow people who show cavies. That would be going into a gay forum screaming that gay marriage is sacrilige. It's just not appropriate.
In this particular case sweetie, you are in the wrong. You came here with an opinion and you created a scenario where you made it come true. Does this happen to you often? By walking into a room full of people who are spending their time, money and talent to STOP the overpopulation of guinea pigs and stating that you don't care about what they are doing and that all of their efforts are unimportant to you, you effectively asked people to offend you.
I've seen my own family members do this all the time. It's really a common thing. It's like popping a balloon and then wondering why the kid's are crying.
I've spent many a thread with people helping see why breeding and showing is bad. I fought them tooth and nail. I've disagreed with everyone here. Never did I feel personally attacked. Just MY BELIEFS were attacked and I knew that.
Yet -- here I was sticking up for these "responsible breeders" that I had pictured existed in my head only to find out that they honestly do not exist. People who breed guinea pigs sadly, ever so sadly do not know what they are doing on a professional nor a scientific level. Eventually I came to same conclusions that many on this particular forum have on this particular subject.
I've seen people "over there" who are equally without tact or decorum. Including those who think that if you don't agree with what they believe you are nasty and vulgar. When we throw away an entire community of people if reflects that you are judging the world based on pristine principles that NO one can live up to and maybe we need to re-evaluate what we are using as criteria for what being a valuable human being is.
I do not agree with everyone here, anymore than I agree with everyone "over there". I have read everyone's posts and made my own judgements on what to accept and what not too. That is part of maturing.
Sometimes, I have to take a break from these forums, because they all seem to have decided that PEOPLE aren't worth their time and energy unless they agree with your philosophy. Living that kind of life promotes a world where tolerance is not respected and neither are others. Kosovo is a great example. These people have nothing to fight about except how they have hurt each other. Yet generations of people hold on to that hatred and for what? To perpetuate the feeling that "I am Right" and I have the right to dismiss you because you are not worthy of me.
I am a bit more diplomatic. The way I see it, this nation was built on the principles of loving others IN SPITE of their flaws. Accepting others as who they are. Loving people no matter what they believe or have done with their lives. This is called Compassion. I'm a firm believer in letting this rule your life.
I have to admit it's hard to have compassion for someone when they appear to be attacking your beliefs. But that is what makes us better people.
Where does hatred, bitterness, backbiting, bickering, prejudice and pride bring us?
Before the fall I say.