I'm sick of this forum.

[Vee]

There is too much hatred and bigotry on this site. Racism, homophobia, transphobia, bashing Muslims, bashing Jews, etc. It's way out of hand here. In one thread, you have a poster accusing transgender people of being mentally ill sexual predators and in another, you have a poster going on an anti-black racist rant (with a "like" from a staff member, no less!). And that's only what I've seen tonight. It's getting to the point where I do not feel this is a welcoming or respectful message board. I have more productive and respectful discussions on Facebook. At least there I do not have to pretend to be nice to people who obviously see me as subhuman.

This site needs to change and do better. I really don't want to leave this site as I have friends here and good memories, but I often find myself angry, hurt and sad reading posts on this site. I really wonder why I bother when this place can be so toxic. I just wanted to air my concerns. It's something that's been on my mind for awhile.

I'm sorry you feel that way.
In an ideal world everyone would be polite and respectful but this world is so far way from ideal it's not even in the same galaxy. People come to the forum to express themselves and some of them get don't use the moral filter they should and don't care about how their words affect others. I guarantee you that MODs do their best to keep things under control.
The way I see it you have two choices: either leave the forum or rise above. Be better than the people who make you unhappy.
I know what if feels like to be mocked for who you are and it's not a good feeling. Sometimes it can really put you down. If you feel like that, get up, lift your head and keep going. Be strong.

 

[Vinayaka]

Honestly, Frank, even I have found it necessary to take breaks from this Forum -- once for six or nine months (I can't recall which now). The Forum will still be here when you get back, but it will be so much less annoying.

I left for a year. It helped a lot.

 

[Mock Turtle]

You probably have me on ignore so might not see this, but letting one or two nasty individuals get to you is what they often want. As you will know, many will support you and trash the idiots who just don't seem to have the ability to behave like civilised people. And it's often the young who do so - who have yet to realise the value of keeping one's mouth shut - if even just occasionally.

 

[Jesster]

I can relate to how you feel here. My ignore list is grows every week because of the toxicity here. I've been able to stay because the ignore filter is actually very effective.

 

[Vinayaka]

Another factor here is that some people don't know that generally if you don't complain, the mods don't do anything. Much of moderation is done purely on the basis of complaints. So if you feel you're being attacked unfairly, or in an uncivilised manner, complain.

 

[Revoltingest]

The best way to fight hatred is to stop expressing it.
Treat others civilly, & they'll reciprocate...usually.

Another tip...
If discussion is unproductive with some posters, they
can be avoided. Not every posts needs a response.

 

[Revoltingest]

I left for a year. It helped a lot.

But I missed you.
Must everything be about you?
What about my needs!

 

[Trackdayguy]

No I meant Spiritual. The majority of the world has rejected Baha'u'llah or remained ignorant of the Message given by God through Baha'u'llah. Those that have seen God in this Message have struggled to implement the required change.

Thus we have a spiritually sick world that is the cause of all the destructive symptoms, that continue to divide the Human Race and are hurling us into a catastrophic time that can not now be prevented.

The Biblical Prophecy of 1/3 to 2/3 of the worlds population not making it through this time is still a valid prophecy.

Regards Tony

In my opinion the main reason people have rejected he Bahai Faith is due to literalism. Their all waiting for Jesus to return from the sky. Based on that false belief Baha'u'llah cant be the christ.

 

[Trackdayguy]

Part of the problem with many forums including this one lie in 2 areas.

1. Obnoxious people
2. Over legislation (rules which seek to mitigate people from being offended) Its rampant in our world

At the same time there has to be guidelines, knowing how to do this is always going to be problematic.

 

[Revoltingest]

Part of the problem with many forums including this one lie in 2 areas.

1. Obnoxious people
2. Over legislation (rules which seek to mitigate people from being offended) Its rampant in our world

At the same time there has to be guidelines, knowing how to do this is always going to be problematic.

I'll note that it's best when the guidelines apply equally to all.
Because when denizens of a forum see that certain posters
get a pass on major rule violations, discord will abound.

Disclaimer:
I'm not discussing moderation on RF.
I'd never do that.
It happens on other (unnamed) forums.

 

[Trackdayguy]

I'll note that it's best when the guidelines apply equally to all.
Because when denizens of a forum see that certain posters
get a pass on major rule violations, discord will abound.

Disclaimer:
I'm not discussing moderation on RF.
I'd never do that.
It happens on other (unnamed) forums.

The more rules we have the more violators we'll have. Rules dont fix the problem.

 

[Revoltingest]

The more rules we have the more violators we'll have. Rules dont fix the problem.

I say our rules here are pretty useful.
It's not about having more....just having
the right ones, & applying them fairly.

 

[Vinayaka]

But I missed you.
Must everything be about you?
What about my needs!

When your only need is bacon, what can I say? BTW, we're travelling through Michiganistan next fall, on the way home from Toronto. PM me if you ever have coffee on or would talk to white Hindu Canuckistanians. in person.

 

[SalixIncendium]

There is too much hatred and bigotry on this site. Racism, homophobia, transphobia, bashing Muslims, bashing Jews, etc. It's way out of hand here. In one thread, you have a poster accusing transgender people of being mentally ill sexual predators and in another, you have a poster going on an anti-black racist rant (with a "like" from a staff member, no less!). And that's only what I've seen tonight. It's getting to the point where I do not feel this is a welcoming or respectful message board. I have more productive and respectful discussions on Facebook. At least there I do not have to pretend to be nice to people who obviously see me as subhuman.

This site needs to change and do better. I really don't want to leave this site as I have friends here and good memories, but I often find myself angry, hurt and sad reading posts on this site. I really wonder why I bother when this place can be so toxic. I just wanted to air my concerns. It's something that's been on my mind for awhile.

While I agree with you that there is some toxicity on this site, I feel how one reacts to such toxicity or the subject matter in which one chooses to read and participate in directly affects one's opinion or perspective of the forum in general.

Possible reactions that could benefit:

• Report such toxicity. While the staff does its best to act upon malicious content, we are a volunteer force that doesn't see every post. We count on our members to hit that 'report' button whenever they see something they don't feel is appropriate and violates the forum rules.
• Use the 'ignore' feature. If a member gets under your skin, just ignore them. You don't have to ignore them permanently and don't have to publicly announce your decision to ignore. The 'ignore' can always be reversed once things cool down.
• Take a break. One's perspective can be a influenced by how one interacts with others or they content one chooses to read. Perhaps taking a break and coming back at a later time can offer a fresh perspective.

Hope this helps. If not, feel free to ignore me.

 

[SomeRandom]

There is too much hatred and bigotry on this site. Racism, homophobia, transphobia, bashing Muslims, bashing Jews, etc. It's way out of hand here. In one thread, you have a poster accusing transgender people of being mentally ill sexual predators and in another, you have a poster going on an anti-black racist rant (with a "like" from a staff member, no less!). And that's only what I've seen tonight. It's getting to the point where I do not feel this is a welcoming or respectful message board. I have more productive and respectful discussions on Facebook. At least there I do not have to pretend to be nice to people who obviously see me as subhuman.

This site needs to change and do better. I really don't want to leave this site as I have friends here and good memories, but I often find myself angry, hurt and sad reading posts on this site. I really wonder why I bother when this place can be so toxic. I just wanted to air my concerns. It's something that's been on my mind for awhile.

Yeah this is the internet. People are sort of without inhibitions, to some extent. That means the darker side of humanity tends to poke through more prominently. I don't mean to be dismissive. But people are flawed and often you have to encounter their flaws especially online. Such is life. Find the good peeps and try hanging out with them more often than the negatives.

 

[icehorse]

There is too much hatred and bigotry on this site. Racism, homophobia, transphobia, bashing Muslims, bashing Jews, etc. It's way out of hand here. In one thread, you have a poster accusing transgender people of being mentally ill sexual predators and in another, you have a poster going on an anti-black racist rant (with a "like" from a staff member, no less!). And that's only what I've seen tonight. It's getting to the point where I do not feel this is a welcoming or respectful message board. I have more productive and respectful discussions on Facebook. At least there I do not have to pretend to be nice to people who obviously see me as subhuman.

This site needs to change and do better. I really don't want to leave this site as I have friends here and good memories, but I often find myself angry, hurt and sad reading posts on this site. I really wonder why I bother when this place can be so toxic. I just wanted to air my concerns. It's something that's been on my mind for awhile.

FWIW, I'm not sure I've ever seen such behavior on RF. Admittedly I don't visit all the sub-forums, so I wonder if this is limited to certain sub-forums?

Edit: Additions:

What I DO see in this forum is that IDEAS get bashed. The distinction between a person and their ideas can sometimes be a hard one to see, but it's a really crucial distinction. For example, I bash Islam a lot. but I don't bash Muslims. I might bash apologist arguments that I think are poorly formed, but again, that's an attack on an idea, not on a person.

 

[ThePainefulTruth]

There is too much hatred and bigotry on this site. Racism, homophobia, transphobia, bashing Muslims, bashing Jews, etc. It's way out of hand here. In one thread, you have a poster accusing transgender people of being mentally ill sexual predators and in another, you have a poster going on an anti-black racist rant (with a "like" from a staff member, no less!). And that's only what I've seen tonight. It's getting to the point where I do not feel this is a welcoming or respectful message board. I have more productive and respectful discussions on Facebook. At least there I do not have to pretend to be nice to people who obviously see me as subhuman.

This site needs to change and do better. I really don't want to leave this site as I have friends here and good memories, but I often find myself angry, hurt and sad reading posts on this site. I really wonder why I bother when this place can be so toxic. I just wanted to air my concerns. It's something that's been on my mind for awhile.

So you post what could be characterized as an angry rant because you've been offended by words to which you've given a politically correct spin to. It's amazing to watch the tap dancing done by liberals screeching about racism, yet trying to rationalize why MLK's ideal of color-blindness is actually racist as well. Never let a good chance to exploit hatred go to waste I s'pose. Seems I could further your angst by "bashing" satanic paganism and the like, but I'm just guessing.

 

[YmirGF]

There is too much hatred and bigotry on this site. Racism, homophobia, transphobia, bashing Muslims, bashing Jews, etc. It's way out of hand here. In one thread, you have a poster accusing transgender people of being mentally ill sexual predators and in another, you have a poster going on an anti-black racist rant (with a "like" from a staff member, no less!). And that's only what I've seen tonight. It's getting to the point where I do not feel this is a welcoming or respectful message board. I have more productive and respectful discussions on Facebook. At least there I do not have to pretend to be nice to people who obviously see me as subhuman.

This site needs to change and do better. I really don't want to leave this site as I have friends here and good memories, but I often find myself angry, hurt and sad reading posts on this site. I really wonder why I bother when this place can be so toxic. I just wanted to air my concerns. It's something that's been on my mind for awhile.

Personally, Frankie, I love reading the vast majority of your posts and usually learn something in the process. I think you provide a much needed voice. Perhaps you just need to hear that more often. I think the idea to take a break is a great idea. When the words of others on the internet are causing a negative reaction in you it really is time to push back from the keyboard and go for a walk.

 

[Deidre]

I see it too at times and if someone is constantly bashing members, which is a rule violation, not sure why they’re not banned. That said, if people don’t report the posts, then the mods might not see the problems. It takes a village, to make a village better.

(((Hug))) I’m sorry you were hurt.

 

[Rival]

Wow.

So a member posts about some legitimate problems on the forum, vents some feelings and doesn't abuse or offend anyone, and is hit back by some with mockery and insult for daring to do such a thing.

That's low.