being opinionated, being violent

In this conversation we’re having, instead of cooling things down, perhaps I decide to go for broke. I dive down deeper. I get into the rough stuff. What started out as a robust discussion turns into a fight. The big question here is – can we afford to let this happen, between friends? Or indeed between anyone? When talk turns to fighting, our use of ‘dislike-tactics’ can win the argument. But at what cost?
Perhaps, the issue of Animal Rights is more important than staying on friendly terms with someone. If I think I’m right about an issue, I’ll want to defend my position, no matter what happens. I need to be true to my role as advocate, to defend the undefended. All very noble on the face of things, but the approach is often doomed to failure. This is where a non-violence policy enters the picture. If it can be part of our own approach to life, then it can also be part of our approach to others, especially when we’re talking "animals" with them.
If we understand the value of non-violence, we won’t get sucked into fighting. Instead we might decide to submit a little to restore good feelings. We might consider letting our feelings remain undeclared. But is that realistic or even honest? If we have strong views surely we shouldn’t pretend otherwise? And why should defending a position, a serious position, have to go pear-shaped anyway? Surely the satisfaction of an argument, between two points of view, provides the heady atmosphere that can blow cobwebs away, break a few barriers and let us re-examine attitudes. A frisson of tension means the issue is alive, even if it makes us feel uncomfortable. Just by discussing it (Animal Rights) means we’re involved with each other. We are trusting each other. But are we? This subject is a classic divider, even between close friends. A vulcanologist never knows how big the eruption is going to be. Similarly, do we ever know exactly what will set another person off? Do we ever really know where their breaking point is or precisely what issues are too sensitive for them? How much can we trust another person even if we are certain we don’t want to hurt them or abort on them?