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Ground Rules for Dialogue
(Adapted from the Catholic Common Ground Initiative)
We should assume that everyone has some truth to share,
and that no one
has a monopoly on truth.
Each of us should speak our own truths with courage,
and listen to the
truths of others with charity.
We should ask questions without embarrassment and
answer questions without
defensiveness.
We should presume that those with whom we differ are
acting in good faith.
They deserve civility, charity,
and a good faith effort to understand their
concerns.
We should not substitute labels, abstractions, or
blanketing
term – “fundamentalists,” “New Agers,” “Stearns County”---
for
living, complicated realities.
We should put the best possible construction on differing
positions,
addressing their strongest points rather than
seizing upon their most
vulnerable aspects in order to
discredit them. We should detect the valid
insights and
legitimate worries that may underlie even questionable
arguments.
We should be cautious in ascribing motives, and should not
impugn one
another’s thoughtfulness or good will.
We should not afraid to make mistakes!
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