Why not go virile?

I have a personal policy that I do not pass along emails that espouse certain political or social views even when they are from credible sources. Over the last few years I have joined the Save Darfur Coalition, ONE, and other groups with which I share a common belief and do what I can to assist them with their cause. As part of their campaigns they many times include a virile component asking their members to forward their email to friends so they may also join in the crusade to end the senseless violence and poverty throughout the world. Although I am fine receiving such emails I abide by my own personal policy and do not forward any of this information no matter how violently I agree with the message or cause.

I know in today's high-touch, connected world that this may make me appear as a Luddite, but I have always kept this promise to myself for one reason only. That reason is that I disagree with the approach that anyone would push their religion, culture, beliefs, or thoughts on another person without being initially engaged by that person.

So you may ask 'how can you write about your views on a blog?' My simple answer is that if anyone reads this I am assuming they have purposely sought out this information and if not can turn away at any time.

I use the same guidelines in personal conversation or email. If a person opens a topic or seems interested in learning more about me I am willing to share my views given that I do not expect to 'convert' anyone. I only hope to share a bit about me and my thoughts and in turn learn more about the people with whom I engage. Taking this approach I may cut myself off to touching someone who may not have sought me out, but I also remove the risk that I am imposing myself on another who may not share my views.

Although I will continue to remain subservient to my own relationship rules I know that many of the causes to which I prescribe need virile components to compete in our scattered informational world and hope they succeed. No matter what our own personal policies we all can recognize the tragedies like Darfur or the extreme poverty from which nearly one-sixth of our world's population suffer and the need for the human race to be more responsive to those in need.