In my view challenging peoples beliefs can be a good thing, Especially in finding the truth in the matter. It can crush the ego and hurt its feelings and confuse, On the way to positive growth. Of course it works both ways the same applies to us. We all seem to take ourselves to serious sometimes, We take things personal when other people poke fun at us. Yes challenging and be challenged is the fast track to learning.There is nothing to loose but that fear and ego, and there to gain are creative ways of solving our problems. Those feelings will let you know,Where you are at in this game very quickly! Fred searching for truth

Google up the term "encounter groups". It's just one case, but maybe will save you from trying to reinvent the wheel: others have thought as you now think.

The summary: sometimes it works; often you wind up with a set of circumstances worse than that with which you started.

I think we would never grow if we had no challenges, It seems to me to be how this works. I guess some of us never grow up! and stay in fear and ego.
Fred searching for truth

I'd like to chime in and say "it depends".

My experience has been that people tend to retreat deeper into their belief systems and entrench their defenses with even more ferocity than before. It seems counter-productive to me to attack them head-on, hoping to "crush the ego and confuse". Scaring them doesn't seem like a loving thing to do.

That being said, if they are somewhat open to hearing what you have to say, they may honestly and openly consider your thoughts. That is, if they're open-minded enough. That's a big if, because I don't think most people are.

So what does that say for us? Stay open-minded (and skeptical of course) on what other people have to say. You might learn something.

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Mike

Telling you truth and experiences does not to me seem like an attack! Agreeing with people when you don't agree seems like fear, And to be counter productive most of the time. Tom being challenged with questions to answer might not seem very loving for some people listening to the answers. He knows his truth is not fragile just egos. I am sure that high pressure challenge is also helping him grow. I think you are right when you say it depends, Sometimes it is best not to say anything and let them believe what they want. even if you don't agree, Just for the sake of LOVE Fred searching for truth

Fred it seems you are equating hurting people's feelings with hurting their dogma's. Do dogma's have feelings?
Love
Bette

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All That Is
what is?
Consciousness.

The topic was to get your attention! That is almost a paradox, But I think I can answer it, their dogma`s become sacred to them, Hence the feelings! Fred searching for truth

I lean more towards "it depends" also. You really have to know what you are doing to be successful if you use that tactic.

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I eat ego's for breakfast!
Sincerely, Ego.

It seems basically all you need to know is your truth
and experience and when to creatively use it. Remember we are being challenged on this forum, How else could we learn anything. Fred searching for truth

You don't have to be challenged to learn, though.

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I eat ego's for breakfast!
Sincerely, Ego.

It might seem that way to others.


Sure, I basically agree with what you're saying.

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Mike

Sure seems like we learn faster with a direct challenge. Those feelings sure will let you know where you are at in the game, And just coasting along and perceiving the incoming data and organizing it to be coherent, Can be a challenge in itself to find the truth. Fred searching for truth

Fred,

Let me introduce you to Isaac Asimov, an author and professor, and a comment from him that is pertinent.That is the reaction that you get when the person who is challenged feels that they know everything. He made this comment tongue in cheek. People who are sure that they know everything are not interested in learning anything further. Those of us who are sure that we do not know everything are always eager to extend their knowledge or correct incorrect beliefs.

Ted

If your intent is to help....you are always correct

PMR Feedback will inform you regarding effectiveness, which is secondary

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Does this PMR make my butt look big?

If you want to blow some minds challenge them with your truth, We may not know everything, But we know more about our truth and experience than anybody else. When we challenge each other on different views without reacting on anger or any other negative emotion. Then it seems to me it can to be a great learning experience. If I was not challenged at a point in my life about what all this is about (life), And what I could do to feel better. I would not be on the path I am on now, Which is seeking big truth. I cant say I glad about it, But it has forced me into learning. Some times challenges can be so great for us we give up and die, Or we start to grow up. Fred searching for truth