> > Leah:
> >  Being one of these "newbies" I would really appreciate it if
> > someone (anyone) would explain to me what on earth is going on here?

> Liza:
>
> This list has many list members (how many, David?), some
> completely new to raw foods, and some who have _MANY_ years
> experience with various raw-foods diets (including
> fruitarianism, raw-veganism, instincto diets, among others).
> Some people on this list have been experimenting,
> discussing, reading, writing, and studying raw diets, and
> the effects of foods, and the "dogmas" of the different diet
> regimes, and the lives and behaviors of the different
> "gurus" and authors, and the behaviors of people in the
> different diet "groups," for a LONG time now. (Not me, I'm
> pretty new to these groups myself).

David:

The list currently has 143 subscribers, many who have expressed
a variety of involvement and interests in raw foods. We still
have some of the members who started the original veg-raw list
that was the predecessor of raw-food here with us now even
with the passing of years.

>
> Every so often a new person comes on the list and starts
> saying things about what the best diet is, or making
> statements about which foods are bad or good, or pretending
> to be a food expert and giving (usually very simplistic)
> advice to others based on their own opinions and agendas for
> what others should eat.

David:
Liza is right on target here. As she, Peter, and others have
pointed out, there has indeed been a recurring theme when
a new member joins and wants to have the rest of the list
agree with their agenda. The point here is not to dampen
such enthusiasm, but rather, to encourage critical thought
and constructive dialogue, rather than blindly acquiescing
to whatever old or new claims which may emerge.

Liza:
> That was the long answer to your question. The short answer
> is, that Alan came onto the list making the same old
> familiar claims that have been heard many times in
> fruitarian circles. And not supporting his claims with
> anything logical. And telling _other_ people (yourself for
> one) how to eat, based on his rigid extremist views.

David:
Liza, your perceptions here agree with my findings, and
I believe that you have done an excellent job of answering
Leah's question on why many members on this list will not
worship the grounds of various "raw" preachers who may
show up here from time to time.

David:
On a related note, I hope to have an updated welcome
message shortly which expands on what can be expected on this
list for newcomers, so hopefully, some of these situations
can be avoided in the future.

Regards,

David
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