Okay, so I'm not a moderator, but...

[Katzpur]

Its about time someone posted a reminder to all of the newbies who couldn't be bothered to read the Forum Rules and to the rest of the posters who don't think the Forum Rules apply to them. If you fall into either of these two groups, please note...

When you display the list of "Active Topics," the rightmost column on your screen will indicate which forum (subforum) the thread is found on. If you see the letters "DIR" in that space, please note: They mean something. They might say "Christianity DIR," "Islam DIR," "Buddhism DIR," etc. "DIR" means "discuss individual religions." To "discuss" a religion in the context of this forum means to ask respectful questions about it. Period. If you want to learn about Islam, for instance, you may post a question in the Islam DIR and any Muslim is free to respond to it. Christians, Jews and Hindus are not free to throw in their two cents worth about why they think Islam is wrong. Unless you self-identify as a member of that faith, your input is neither welcome nor permitted -- with the exception of asking respectful questions. You are not even supposed to express a contrary point of view.

No freedom of expression, you say? Not on the DIR forums. If you want to debate, go to one of the forums you don't see the letters "DIR." On those forums, you are free to rant to your heart's content. There is only one exception... If the thread is in the "Same Faith Debate" forum, you are only permitted to participate if you are a member of the faith mentioned in the OP. Threads in this forum can be set up to include as narrow or wide a group of people as the person writing the OP wants. I, for instance, could start a thread in the "Same Faith Debates" forum and specify "LDS Only," "Christian Only," or "Abrahamic Only." If you don't fall into that group, enjoy the reading, but keep your thoughts to yourself.

And to the idiot who keeps posting in the LDS DIR and then blaming the Mormons when his posts are deleted: We don't have the ability to delete your posts any more than you have the ability to delete ours. The staff is deleting your posts because you are breaking the forum rules. 'Nuff said?

 

[Terrywoodenpic]

Calm down kathryn... you'll blow a fuze.
But it is true, people are getting careless.
It seems to go in phases
perhaps it will pass.
The sooner the better.

 

[Katzpur]

Calm down kathryn... you'll blow a fuze.

I actually thought I was super calm -- at least for me, at least until I got to the part about the idiot.

But it is true, people are getting careless.
It seems to go in phases
perhaps it will pass.
The sooner the better.

There has just been so much of this lately -- more than usual.

 

[Bismillah]

Thanks for the heads up Kathryn it indeed quite rude to kick down the doors of the abode. You'll unleash the bigots

 

[filthy tugboat]

"DIR" means "discuss individual religions." To "discuss" a religion in the context of this forum means to ask respectful questions about it. Period. If you want to learn about Islam, for instance, you may post a question in the Islam DIR and any Muslim is free to respond to it. Christians, Jews and Hindus are not free to throw in their two cents worth about why they think Islam is wrong. Unless you self-identify as a member of that faith, your input is neither welcome nor permitted -- with the exception of asking respectful questions. You are not even supposed to express a contrary point of view.

I understand the respect part and I always try to uphold myself in such a manner but why is opposing opinions not permitted? I don't mean like as to whether the Bible really is the word of God on the Christian DIR forum, I mean like different interpretation of the Bible to members that are Christian when I am not? Belief in the Bible as the word of God does not give a superior opinion of the text and views from members that are not Christian should be and in my opinion are just as valid. For example, many Christians I know hold to the concept that the flood described in Genesis was not really a worldwide flood and more likely a local flood that started a myth. Some Christians I know don't even think a flood happened and the Author of Genesis may have wrote the book as allegory. Then some others think it really was a worldwide flood. So my point is, as an atheist am I able to post on the Christian DIR forum with my own opinions of the text if they are based on the actual Bible and under the presumption that the Bible really was inspired by God?

 

[Revoltingest]

I think you're a better moderator than some moderators.

 

[Kathryn]

For the record - it's Katzpur's thread, not Kathryn's. Though, as usual, I do agree with Katzpur!

Notice - Katzpur has an upside down CAT as her avatar. Kathryn has an upside down DOG.

These differentiations are very important.

 

[Rakhel]

I think you're a better moderator than some moderators.

Dang it!!! Not enough people have said enough things that I agree with so I can frubal you for saying something I agree on.
Either more people have to post frubal valued posts or you need to stop being so right.

 

[Revoltingest]

Dang it!!! Not enough people have said enough things that I agree with so I can frubal you for saying something I agree on.
Either more people have to post frubal valued posts or you need to stop being so right.

Worry not....I'm seldom right.

 

[Katzpur]

I understand the respect part and I always try to uphold myself in such a manner but why is opposing opinions not permitted? I don't mean like as to whether the Bible really is the word of God on the Christian DIR forum, I mean like different interpretation of the Bible to members that are Christian when I am not? Belief in the Bible as the word of God does not give a superior opinion of the text and views from members that are not Christian should be and in my opinion are just as valid. For example, many Christians I know hold to the concept that the flood described in Genesis was not really a worldwide flood and more likely a local flood that started a myth. Some Christians I know don't even think a flood happened and the Author of Genesis may have wrote the book as allegory. Then some others think it really was a worldwide flood. So my point is, as an atheist am I able to post on the Christian DIR forum with my own opinions of the text if they are based on the actual Bible and under the presumption that the Bible really was inspired by God?

Well, as I said, I'm not a moderator... Rather than try to give you my interpretation of the rule, I'll just post it verbatim and let you PM a member of the staff yourself if you feel it needs clarifying:

10. Discuss Individual Religions Forums
The DIR forums are for the express use for discussion by that specific group. They are not to be used for debate by anyone. People of other groups or faiths may post respectful questions to increase their understanding. Questions of a rhetorical or argumentative nature or that counter the beliefs of that DIR are not permitted. Only posts that comply with the tenets or spirit of that DIR are permitted. DIR areas are not to be used as cover to bash others outside the faith. The DIR forums are strictly moderated and posts are subject to editing or removal.

 

[Oneatatime]

Katzpur is absolutely right and even when I see something in a DIR forum that I really want to reply to I just bite my tongue and ignore it because I choose to join this forum and must abide by the rules. Although this kind of censorship runs counter to my views on open discussion I understand that its intended to allow people of a particular faith to discuss that faith without their threads being derailed by those with a different worldview. I did accidently respond to a post in the Mormon forum by mistake once (http://www.religiousforums.com/forum/2379697-post14.html) but I've been more careful since.

 

[Alceste]

I understand the respect part and I always try to uphold myself in such a manner but why is opposing opinions not permitted? I don't mean like as to whether the Bible really is the word of God on the Christian DIR forum, I mean like different interpretation of the Bible to members that are Christian when I am not? Belief in the Bible as the word of God does not give a superior opinion of the text and views from members that are not Christian should be and in my opinion are just as valid. For example, many Christians I know hold to the concept that the flood described in Genesis was not really a worldwide flood and more likely a local flood that started a myth. Some Christians I know don't even think a flood happened and the Author of Genesis may have wrote the book as allegory. Then some others think it really was a worldwide flood. So my point is, as an atheist am I able to post on the Christian DIR forum with my own opinions of the text if they are based on the actual Bible and under the presumption that the Bible really was inspired by God?

Opposing opinions are permitted in the debate sections. Or you could post your interpretation in the secular DIR section.

If you see something in a DIR you disagree with and want to discuss it in a less restricted environment, you can start a thread in debates or general discussion. (And of course you are more than welcome to argue with other atheists in the appropriate DIR )

 

[filthy tugboat]

Opposing opinions are permitted in the debate sections. Or you could post your interpretation in the secular DIR section.

If you see something in a DIR you disagree with and want to discuss it in a less restricted environment, you can start a thread in debates or general discussion. (And of course you are more than welcome to argue with other atheists in the appropriate DIR )

After browsing through some of the sub-forums I located a few that I look like they allow for similar thought as I just expressed in the previous post but thought I'd double check first.

Bibliology - am I allowed to discuss topics there? I have a reasonable knowledge of both New and Old Testament scholarship and often debate the topics on other debating websites.

To be honest though, I wasn't aware that Christian - DIR meant atheists and others that are not Christian were not allowed to participate, I just thought it meant the Bible would be considered authoritative in that sub-forum.

 

[Revoltingest]

To be honest though, I wasn't aware that Christian - DIR meant atheists and others that are not Christian were not allowed to participate, I just thought it meant the Bible would be considered authoritative in that sub-forum.

You can participate, but more in a manner of asking questions to learn. Sometimes though, friendly discussions will include those
outside the faith/category. Buddhists have been particularly inviting to me on occasion. The system works pretty well & is reasonably
flexible. The trick seems to be civil & interested....& interesting. How did the tugboat get so filthy?

 

[filthy tugboat]

You can participate, but more in a manner of asking questions to learn. Sometimes though, friendly discussions will include those
outside the faith/category. Buddhists have been particularly inviting to me on occasion. The system works pretty well & is reasonably
flexible. The trick seems to be civil & interested....& interesting. How did the tugboat get so filthy?

Well then, hopefully I can fulfill that criteria. Would my answers not be permitted even if I were civil and giving the Bible authority while on that sub-forum?

 

[Revoltingest]

Well then, hopefully I can fulfill that criteria. Would my answers not be permitted even if I were civil and giving the Bible authority while on that sub-forum?

I can only say that if you are respectful, strict observance of the rules becomes of secondary concern.
I've been here just over a year now, & I'm still not banned. That's pretty tolerant.

 

[Rakhel]

I can only say that if you are respectful, strict observance of the rules becomes of secondary concern.
I've been here just over a year now, & I'm still not banned. That's pretty tolerant.

That's quite an accomplishment. To be on the forum for a year and not be banned or restricted once.

 

[Revoltingest]

That's quite an accomplishment. To be on the forum for a year and not be banned or restricted once.

I blame the moderators. It's as though they're here to help us be all that we can be.
They're just so gosh darn civil, direct & thoughtful when they let me know if I've sinned.
I've no cause to ever blow up at them.

 

[Rakhel]

I blame the moderators. It's as though they're here to help us be all that we can be.
They're just so gosh darn civil, direct & thoughtful when they let me know if I've sinned.
I've no cause to ever blow up at them.

I know what you mean. It's such a shame that they don't come down on us harder.

 

[Quagmire]

Well then, hopefully I can fulfill that criteria. Would my answers not be permitted even if I were civil and giving the Bible authority while on that sub-forum?

Hi Filthy tugboat. If you want some detailed answers about any of the rules, please start a thread here: Site Feedback.

I can only say that if you are respectful, strict observance of the rules becomes of secondary concern.
I've been here just over a year now, & I'm still not banned. That's pretty tolerant.

Thanks Revoltingest (I knew there was something on my to-do list that I hadn't gotten around to yet)

I blame the moderators. It's as though they're here to help us be all that we can be.
They're just so gosh darn civil, direct & thoughtful when they let me know if I've sinned.
I've no cause to ever blow up at them.

I know what you mean. It's such a shame that they don't come down on us harder.

Ah-hah!! I knew the staff was slacking! Excuse me *puts on jackboots and grabs riding crop*