Theos-Talk Archives (October 1997 Message tl00269)

Nicole Suter wrote:
> To Bart Lidofsky re Digest 1282: "Essentially, in these groups, two people
> have a disagreement as to what to do, and neither will back down.
> Members pick one of 3 sides: 1) The first person is right, 2) The secon
> person is right, 3) They're BOTH wrong, and should shut up.  If the group
> has a tradition, then members have something to hold to, and use it to get
> past the fight. With no tradition, the group has no particular reason to stay
> together, and falls apart."
> 
> Thank you for the explanations. I have another question - what does
> happen if the BOTH are right?

	An unfortunate mistake.

> To me that what you describe as tradition feels more like a power struggle
> in its destructive form due to old not resolved conflicts. What do you
> think about this?

	The tradition is what keeps people from breaking off in the case of an
unsolvable squabble. The idea is that the group can eventually be
brought back to the traditions, and the disgruntled member can work to
bring the group back.

	Bart Lidofsky