Can we ban religious threads?

[penagate]

They're such a drag. Even if they're humourous someone always manages to turn it into a creationism debate.

[dglienna]

At least they are in the World Event forum. You have to go in there with your eyes open. If you don't like it, then stay away. I read, but don't comment a lot.

[penagate]

No no... they spill into Chit Chat as well...

[RobDog888]

CC and WE are places where you are free to post on any "reasonable" topic as long as its within the AUP. I dont think we can "Ban" certain topics that are based on a certain view or belief as it would be unfair.

Either way, CC/WE are not places where "anything goes". It is moderated by several Mods in an effort to maintain a family atmosphere, etc.

[penagate]

I'm not against any views or beliefs. I just feel the whole creationism vs. evolution thing has had the life beaten out of it many times already. There are plenty of places on the internet where you can go if you want to discuss religion.

If nothing more maybe we could just restrict all religious debate to the WE forum? Please?

[RobDog888]

I dont disagree with the point that most religious threads in CC get out of hand. In fact, I think that those types are the most prone to ourtbursts. I cant remember where it was but I thought there was something on religious thread before, similar to your suggestion. Let me see if I can find anythng.

[Hack]

As dglienna said, if you don't like the topic don't read or participate in the thread.

I dont think we can "Ban" certain topics that are based on a certain view or belief as it would be unfair.

Not only can't we, we shouldn't.

[brad jones]

We could simply get rid of chit-chat since this is really a programming related forum and programming is covered in all the other forums

Brad!

[Merri]

I actually once banned evolution/creationism discussion in one of my forums because a few persons registered to the forum and kept talking about those subjects in a, hmm, provocative, fanatical and one sided way. It wasn't really discussion anymore so it was much better to ban the subject than to ruin the forum atmosphere with it (as it started spilling out of control). It was also better to ban the subject than to ban the people, because they could have just registered again and start over again (happened before). A few months later I cancelled the ban. The level of discussion and forum atmosphere has been much nicer thanks to that.

Of course you have to note I have emphasis on discussion quality and friendliness on the forum, so going only for fanatical arguing is very much against what the forum stands for. The fact internet is open doesn't mean you can do whatever you like everywhere, there have to be atleast some control. I don't have anything against religional views or a debate about something related, but when it goes to certain level that goes against the forum "rules" and/or spills out of one thread, I'll certainly do something about it.

[visualAd]

If you are offended by someone else’s remark and would like it removed from the public domain; just send me a PM. It is worth noting, that while you may find something offensive and out of place the author of the comment and others may not. So, before doing this I would advise that you consider using the “Ignore” feature provided by the forum software, or like suggested earlier, simply do not read threads which you may find offensive.

If you refer to the sticky in the World Events forum a rule of thumb would be, that if you feel a comment will provoke and argument or upset another member, do not post it. While I am not a great fan of political correctness, it is clear that certain individuals are unable to deal with other people’s views and opinions in a grown up manner, so a level of tact in “sensitive” discussions is required.

Bottom line is, the moderators like everyone else are here to assist others with technical problems. Policing no technical discussions which may get out of hand, dealing with disagreements caused by the ones that do and trying to decide whether a comment is offensive or not is not what we are here for, we do it as an optional extra.

Personally, adding “Moderating Topic Type” to this is a step too far and like Brad suggested, if the World Events and Chit Chat forum require this level of moderation; maybe it is better to have them closed down.

[penagate]

simply do not read threads which you may find offensive.

But by then it's too late

I realise it probably wasn't the best idea to post this thread but I see all your points. I'll keep quiet now

[brad jones]

But by then it's too late

I realise it probably wasn't the best idea to post this thread but I see all your points. I'll keep quiet now

Nah. This comes up about once a year , so it was about time

I actually did ban religious discussions when Jupitermedia first acquired this forum (several years ago). It was a fun way to introduce myself to the crowd. Actually, I did it because the conversations were out of control. I believe the discussions are a little tamer now than they were back then -- which is good <serious face />

Brad!

[k1ll3rdr4g0n]

@penagate
Banning discussions about religions (and topics about it), would be like going back in time when people couldn't say the world was round (back when the pathgerons was around).
Whats next banning posting what you had for dinner? What you did this week? Everything?
Just as long as its clean, thoughtful and intellegient, and not proviking an agrument (someone posting their opinion on something shouldn't provoke an arugment, unless someone has the maturatity of a 14 yr old) it should be allowed.
But then again where am I to speak, as I'm not a mod or admin of this forum , I just believe in freedom of speech .

Thats just my two cents, if you don't want it, then gimme back my two cents .

[brad jones]

I just believe in freedom of speech .

But freedom of speech comes with responsibilities and consequences.

[Merri]

I believe, besides freedom of speech, to well thought speech. There is no point in freedom if it has no real content or if it doesn't take others into account in any way. There must be limits of everything, even in freedom, because there just isn't a complete freedom.

To have a programming related reference, not even open source is completely free: you can't start selling it. So with the additional freedom open source gives, it limits other possibilities. And in that way, it isn't "pure" freedom. Imo this same logic applies to many things: if there is emphasis on something, it is always out of something else.

[CVMichael]

We could simply get rid of chit-chat since this is really a programming related forum and programming is covered in all the other forums

Brad!

Good idea, really...

[szlamany]

I planted a religious thread in CC - even baited them - can't seem to make it switch to a creationism vs evolution argument

http://www.vbforums.com/showthread.p...43#post2311343

Let's see where it goes in the over-night...

[Hack]

I planted a religious thread in CC - even baited them - can't seem to make it switch to a creationism vs evolution argument

http://www.vbforums.com/showthread.p...43#post2311343

Let's see where it goes in the over-night...

Ah Ha! An instigator.

[|2eM!x]

I actually knew it! Thats why I didnt say anything about creationism vs other stuff

[szlamany]

Yeah - analysis shows that since GOD was in the title - SATAN was mentioned in many of the posts

Since programming was the topic apparently rules were also discussed.

Since software is licensed - stealing became another topic...

It was a sad, sad lot

[k1ll3rdr4g0n]

We could simply get rid of chit-chat since this is really a programming related forum and programming is covered in all the other forums

Brad!

Good idea, really...

Then why do you post there CVMichael, if you don't think it belongs here?

[CVMichael]

Then why do you post there CVMichael, if you don't think it belongs here?

So you ask...

Since it's there, why not ?

[k1ll3rdr4g0n]

Exactly! Why mess with a good thing?

[brad jones]

This thread is done and thus I'm closing it. Otherwise, it seems to be heading way off topic.

Brad!