Theories on group discussions

New theory on group discussions: no one listens to what you say. Ok so maybe that's not really suprising to some of you but I really kind of realized it for the first time today. People just seem to latch on to one part of what you said that allows them to say what they want to say even if it reads into or takes completely out of context what you have said. I know what I said in class today and I have no idea where some people got the ideas they took from it. It's like this whole "what does the text say" that we are go through in religious studies and lit. Seriously what did I actually say, because I sure as hell didn't say some of the things they seemed to imply. Maybe I was just a convenient bridge into what they wanted to say. Likely that's true but I don't appreciate having words put into my mouth. In lit right now we are looking at Luther, Calvin and Sir Thomas Moore. We got on to basic tenants and to the statement "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." Now read that sentence; it's pretty clear isn't it? I think so but then people seem to cloud the issue. What I do with my self about myself has really nothing to do with that statement does it? Of course not, nor is how I apply it universal to how I interact with every individual. How I interact with my fiancé is not how I'm going to interact with my sister is it? Of course not! We apply thatstatementt on an individual basis, we have to because we are dealing with individuals. Seriously is it that difficult? If it is I apologize right now for making a stupid assumption but I think you're all smart enough to get this. It's just that we all have thistendencyy to get hung up on a point that's important to us and thus miss-interpret what we heard. Look at the words that were said and don't read into them, it'll save us all a lot of grief. Please, please don't read into what I say 'cause I'm getting really sick of people being upset with me over things I NEVER SAID!!! Argh! It's just not fair!!! Okay I'm done, just needed to get that out there.