Comments on: Kerrying On: When Is Coercion an Acceptable Tactic?

By: Elizabeth

Elizabeth — Thu, 15 Jun 2023 16:35:40 +0000

I hate to pointing out that you’ve entirely missed the purpose of military drill. It is not to create obedience but to create comradery which is the most important thing a soldier can rely on on the battlefield. Very good insights otherwise 🙂

By: Fabian Aguirre

Fabian Aguirre — Thu, 15 Jun 2023 14:23:32 +0000

Thank you, Kerry, for your note and reflection about coercion. After reading from your striking experiences in the military, coercion is never a good tactic if we want to serve others through true practice of integrity, compassion, humility and responsibility.

By: Ann Hampton Shea

Ann Hampton Shea — Wed, 14 Jun 2023 17:57:40 +0000

This article gave me food for thought about how when trying to persuade a group I, too, often default to the most energetic and enthusiastic arguments to try to sway the opinion. Being a Quaker has taught me during my adult life to be patient and listen more to all ideas to get a sense of what individuals and the collective group want.

By: sandrashill

sandrashill — Wed, 14 Jun 2023 16:52:29 +0000

I miss Kerry. 😔

By: Scott Jackson

Scott Jackson — Wed, 14 Jun 2023 15:18:30 +0000

Thank you Mr Patterson. I thoroughly enjoyed reading your essay. I really like the rule of treating others like they’re rational, reasonable, and decent human beings. I like to avoid making global judgments about myself, others, and the world around me. Instead, I try to make specific judgments about my own words, deeds and ideas; about others’ words, deeds and ideas; and about specific events in the world. This specific judgments versus global judgments is a really big deal for me. I understand the late psychologist Albert Ellis calls it unconditional self-acceptance, unconditional other-acceptance, and unconditional life-condition acceptance. For me, the hardest part is separating my words, deeds and ideas from my identity. They’re only part of my identity. Everybody seems really attached to their words, deeds and ideas! I’ve started reading the Gospels as I want to understand what Jesus has to say on this subject. Thanks again!