cats, like most other animals, will NOT retract their claws if you pet them calmly. they will however, if aggravated by material that they get their claws stuck in, thrash about for a few seconds until freed. the debate is:
in the process of thrashing about, they will manage to harm you or your cloths in some way. the cats think that they are not hurting you in the least, just trying to free themselves from the evil clutches of fabric. i believe that they DO hurt you. and i am right.
proof that im right: the definition of pain: physical suffering or discomfort caused by cats digging their claws into you.
if for any reason you think im NOT right, please leave a comment.