Hi Personally I do not think that apologies like Claudia's should be necessary when talking about group differences on a list like this (i.e., teachers of psychology), whether those differences concern religion, ethnicity, or whatever. Surely we appreciate when saying, for example, that men tend to be more aggressive than women (sometimes stated in short hand that men are more aggressive than women), that we do not mean that ALL men are more aggressive than ALL women. Similarly to say that a religious group has certain tendencies less present in other groups does not mean that we attribute those tendencies to all members of the group. Psychologists above all others are probably more sensitive to individual and group differences, and the complexities of both.
Take care Jim James M. Clark Professor of Psychology 204-786-9757 204-774-4134 Fax [email protected] >>> Claudia Stanny <[email protected]> 14-Sep-10 10:16 PM >>> On reflection, I believe I ought to post an apology for my recent post, which can reasonably be regarded as a rant. I in no way intended to imply that Christians in general (Fundamentalist or otherwise) were terrorists or collectively approved of the dreadful behaviors I described. I apologize to any readers who detected that message in my post. I admit I was hasty and wrote something that could lead a reasonable person to reach that interpretation. I regret any hurt feelings my words caused. By the same token, I hope that posters who wrote similarly hasty things about other religious groups would consider how their words might be interpreted or misinterpreted by others. It is always a mistake to vilify an entire group based on the actions of a few extreme members. I am concerned about the polarized and irrational discourse that surrounds much political discussion these days. I apologize for my contribution to the deterioration of civility. Claudia Stanny On Tue, Sep 14, 2010 at 12:08 PM, Michael Smith <[email protected]> wrote: > My take would be that "curious directions" are directions he perhaps > thinks are not worthwhile talking about. > And I agree most are related either directly or indirectly to the > "madness" aspect and what-can-we-learn/teach from it. > Including the stereotypes of muslims and christians. > > But anyway, I don't think in a public forum like a listserv that a > poster can expect to exercise control over the discussion, no matter > what he/she thinks is the important point. > > --Mike > > On Tue, Sep 14, 2010 at 9:06 AM, Jim Clark <[email protected]> wrote: > > Hi > > > > It is not clear what Mike thinks are "curious directions." Most of the > responses I have seen appear to be reactions to the Mike's characterizing > what was happening as "madness" and asking "what critical thinking lessons > psychologists will teach about this madness." Perhaps it was not his > intention for us to focus on that aspect of his posting? > > > > Take care > > Jim > > > > James M. Clark > > Professor of Psychology > > 204-786-9757 > > 204-774-4134 Fax > > [email protected] > > > >>>> "Mike Palij" <[email protected]> 13-Sep-10 9:21:41 PM >>> > > I started this thread several days ago with the post below which > > focused on a Muslin family who had lost a family member on > > 9/11. I felt it was necessary to remind people that many different > > groups of people died that day and the current attempt by some > > to "Christianize" 9/11 should make wonder why such a thing was > > occurring. The contributors to this thread has taken the discussion > > in curious directions and I decided not to respond until now. On > > ... > > On Fri, 10 Sep 2010 06:08:43 -0700, Mike Palij wrote: > >>An article in the NY Times focuses on one family that deals with > >>their grief over the loss of a father and husband in the 9/11 attack > >>on the World Trade Center. How they have dealth with the attack > >>and the aftermath should give us and, if we share with our students, > >>pause. See: > >> > http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/10/nyregion/10muslim.html?_r=1&th=&emc=th&pagewanted=all > > >> > >>The fact that the family is Muslim would be incidental except for > >>the recent madness manifesting itself in U.S. religious and political > >>circles. I wonder what critical thinking lessons psychologists will > >>teach about this madness? > > > > > > > > --- > > You are currently subscribed to tips as: [email protected]. > > To unsubscribe click here: > http://fsulist.frostburg.edu/u?id=13541.42a7e8017ab9578358f118300f4720fb&n=T&l=tips&o=4793 > > > or send a blank email to > leave-4793-13541.42a7e8017ab9578358f118300f472...@fsulist.frostburg.edu > > > > --- > You are currently subscribed to tips as: [email protected]. > To unsubscribe click here: > http://fsulist.frostburg.edu/u?id=13144.1572ed60024e708cf21c4c6f19e7d550&n=T&l=tips&o=4799 > > or send a blank email to > leave-4799-13144.1572ed60024e708cf21c4c6f19e7d...@fsulist.frostburg.edu > --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [email protected]. To unsubscribe click here: http://fsulist.frostburg.edu/u?id=13251.645f86b5cec4da0a56ffea7a891720c9&n=T&l=tips&o=4818 or send a blank email to leave-4818-13251.645f86b5cec4da0a56ffea7a89172...@fsulist.frostburg.edu --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [email protected]. To unsubscribe click here: http://fsulist.frostburg.edu/u?id=13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df5d5&n=T&l=tips&o=4825 or send a blank email to leave-4825-13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df...@fsulist.frostburg.edu
