Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: Large animal policies

[Rob Sandelin (floriferous]

One of the problems that arises in consensus groups is when people base
group decisions on their own belief systems as opposed to the best interests
of the group. If being more self sufficient with food is in the best
interests of the groups, then vegetarians probably should stand aside when
it comes to raising and eating animals. Standing aside is a way to honor
personal values without being held hostage to them. A person who stands
aside is not asked to participate in the activity or decision being made.

  People can and do use consensus as a way to force THEIR values on
everybody else. Unfortunately it is one of the weak links of a consensus
process and it takes a large dose of maturity to understand that your
personal values, as important as they are to you, may only apply to you, and
that it is unreasonable to expect everybody else to live up to them.

Rob Sandelin
Sharingwood