I'm sick of this forum.

[Father Heathen]

Anybody considering a "Snowflake DIR"?

So if someone doesn't particularly enjoy being the routine target of bigotry, that makes them a "snowflake"? It's easy to be dismissive when you're not on the receiving end.

 

[Watchmen]

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 think you railing against Barbara Bush in another thread is a perfect example of the “hatred” you claim exists on this site. So, maybe you should look in a mirror. Maybe, if you think there’s a problem, you can begin the change yourself. Good luck.

 

[icehorse]

yes, I would agree, however...

I can't quite tell if you're agreeing with me or not?

I would say that one of the problems I have with many religious people is that what they believe is not up for debate. So perhaps you're agreeing with me on this point? So anyone who holds beliefs dogmatically and judges others from such a dogmatic perspective is ultimately supporting violence. Are you agreeing with that?

 

[Father Heathen]

It sees to mne that you are demanding that everyone conform to your feelings and value system. This is the new trend, "my feelings trump everything else."

Your feelings are totally irrelevant to me, you allow yourself to have them, you deal with them.

I believe strongly in free speech. Any person has the right to say what they choose.

I and my value system get bashed here on a regular basis, it's called life. The bashers have every right to say what they choose. I have every right to allow it to hurt me, or not. Censorship of free speech is a sure and sick sign that only one viewpoint is demanded, and if we let it, only one viewpoint will be allowed.

My Mother taught me a long , long time ago that " sticks and stone will break my bones but names/words can never hurt me". You should learn that lesson and just say what you want to say and let the rest slide.

There is an obvious difference between being critical of different viewpoints and outright personal attacks. I believe in free speech too, but the forum can and does have rules to maintain an environment of civility and respect. If someone ran into your church during service and started screaming obscenities at your mother, would you stand up and say "Don't throw that man out! Let him speak!"

 

[Father Heathen]

I think you railing against Barbara Bush in another thread is a perfect example of the “hatred” you claim exists on this site. So, maybe you should look in a mirror. Maybe, if you think there’s a problem, you can begin the change yourself. Good luck.

Public figures and forum members aren't really in the same boat.

 

[Revoltingest]

Public figures and forum members aren't really in the same boat.

This is true.
Not saying anything about when & who, but when posters decry
hatred & bigotry, yet abuse public figures for their race, religion,
age, gender, sexual traits, etc, this is awfully darn hypocritical.

 

[shmogie]

There is an obvious difference between being critical of different viewpoints and outright personal attacks. I believe in free speech too, but the forum can and does have rules to maintain an environment of civility and respect. If someone ran into your church during service and started screaming obscenities at your mother, would you stand up and say "Don't throw that man out! Let him speak!"[/QUOT

Your comparison simply doesn't apply.
A church on private property dedicated to a specific use by its owners is a far cry from an open forum online of anonymous posters.

Yes, there are rules, and they are enforced. Nevertheless, unsavory things get said. Tough, that's the way it is.

Accept it and don't let it bother you, or leave as that is the only true way to eliminate the possibility of hearing something that upsets you. Weigh the advantages of being here or not. If your sensibilities cancel any advantage, well, there ya go.

 

[shmogie]

I can't quite tell if you're agreeing with me or not?

I would say that one of the problems I have with many religious people is that what they believe is not up for debate. So perhaps you're agreeing with me on this point? So anyone who holds beliefs dogmatically and judges others from such a dogmatic perspective is ultimately supporting violence. Are you agreeing with that?

That is utter pap. You would have to be a moron to agree to that.

 

[Watchmen]

Public figures and forum members aren't really in the same boat.

I didn’t say they were.

 

[shmogie]

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.

What mockery ? What insult ?

 

[shmogie]

I have moderated on several forums, the problem for staff/moderators is: 1. We have freedom of speech but at the same time we cant allow the wolf in the paddock. 2. Part of the problem is that moderators start becoming parents and deciding what it is that we shouldn't do say or believe. The majority of moderators are great people and are serving their respective communities without reward, yet the fear of people being offended has huge power of most moderators who are incorrectly taking responsibility for other peoples attitudes and responses.

Question; do some moderators, because of their views and possible biases chose "winners and losers?" That is, if they philosophically agree with someone, does that someone receive more "slack" than someone with whom they disagree?

 

[Trackdayguy]

Question; do some moderators, because of their views and possible biases chose "winners and losers?" That is, if they philosophically agree with someone, does that someone receive more "slack" than someone with whom they disagree?

That's a HOT POTATO

 

[Revoltingest]

Question; do some moderators, because of their views and possible biases chose "winners and losers?" That is, if they philosophically agree with someone, does that someone receive more "slack" than someone with whom they disagree?

We're not supposed to discuss moderation.
But I've no doubt that this is a natural human
tendency which they strive to keep in check.

 

[shmogie]

That's a HOT POTATO

Yeah, my hands are burning from it !

 

[David T]

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.

Well if you were hoping.for escape from superficial this is not.the place!! Like going.to church to escape normalcy... ha...
I have started.posting the picture below. I can.post it as "bible abuse" "Koran abuse" "math abuse" "science abuse"'' he'll it seems.to fit a lot of conversations here!! Maybe you aren't "normal? "... It's possible ya know!!

 

[icehorse]

That is utter pap. You would have to be a moron to agree to that.

What part of that is, in your opinion, "pap"? Do you think perhaps that being dogmatic doesn't lead to violence?

 

[shmogie]

We're not supposed to discuss moderation.

Ohhhh ! Didn't know that. The poster mentioned being a moderator in other forums. I, of course, was referencing those forums and their experience. Certainly not here, where you say it is forbidden.

 

[shmogie]

What part of that is, in your opinion, "pap"? Do you think perhaps that being dogmatic doesn't lead to violence?

I absolutely think that. I know many dogmatic atheists, Christians, a few Mormons etc. They have neither maimed or killed anyone. Dogmatism is a thought condition, no more violent than people who are dogmatic about a flat earth, or think babies are found under cabbage leaves.

Thoughts lead to violence only when a person or persons choose violence. Being dogmatic is irrelevant to them making that choice

 

[Revoltingest]

Ohhhh ! Didn't know that. The poster mentioned being a moderator in other forums. I, of course, was referencing those forums and their experience. Certainly not here, where you say it is forbidden.

It makes sense to eschew such talk.
You can imagine bickering & accusations
which would otherwise ensue.

 

[shmogie]

It makes sense to eschew such talk.
You can imagine bickering & accusations
which would otherwise ensue.

Makes sense