Discussion: Posting Guidelines & the work of the Mods

[kinboshi]

On the general point of the rules, I quite like discriminating against people on the basis of religion. Religion is just like any other lifestyle choice we make - open for discussion and criticism.

I disagree Andrew, what real choice does a child born to a poor uneducated family Afghanistan have?

There are parents all over the world who are fanatically religious. Are their children making a lifestyle choice?

No, but you could argue that it's a form of persecution or abuse (and I'm being serious here).

[AndrewT]

On the general point of the rules, I quite like discriminating against people on the basis of religion. Religion is just like any other lifestyle choice we make - open for discussion and criticism.

I disagree Andrew, what real choice does a child born to a poor uneducated family Afghanistan have?

I don't meet kids from Afghan villages though - I meet people who live in a country where we are free to question assumed truths. Those who still choose to lead blinkered lives and, worse, indoctrinate their children to have closed minds should be pulled up about it.

The problem with anti-religious discrimination rules and legislation is that it allows the religious to avoid criticism of their point of view. If a certain group of people happen to all believe in the same invisible ghost daddy, and then use that common link to gain advantages over people not in that group, then they should be able to be criticised for it.

[byronkincaid]

On the general point of the rules, I quite like discriminating against people on the basis of religion. Religion is just like any other lifestyle choice we make - open for discussion and criticism.

I disagree Andrew, what real choice does a child born to a poor uneducated family Afghanistan have?

how many people born to poor uneducated families in Afghanistan who wish to debate religion post on Blonde?

[kinboshi]

On the general point of the rules, I quite like discriminating against people on the basis of religion. Religion is just like any other lifestyle choice we make - open for discussion and criticism.

I disagree Andrew, what real choice does a child born to a poor uneducated family Afghanistan have?

how many people born to poor uneducated families in Afghanistan who wish to debate religion post on Blonde?

12? (It's only a guess)

[Wardonkey]

On the general point of the rules, I quite like discriminating against people on the basis of religion. Religion is just like any other lifestyle choice we make - open for discussion and criticism.

I disagree Andrew, what real choice does a child born to a poor uneducated family Afghanistan have?

I don't meet kids from Afghan villages though - I meet people who live in a country where we are free to question assumed truths. Those who still choose to lead blinkered lives and, worse, indoctrinate their children to have closed minds should be pulled up about it.

The problem with anti-religious discrimination rules and legislation is that it allows the religious to avoid criticism of their point of view. If a certain group of people happen to all believe in the same invisible ghost daddy, and then use that common link to gain advantages over people not in that group, then they should be able to be criticised for it.

To many your brand of atheism is as blinkered as any religious belief.

[kinboshi]

On the general point of the rules, I quite like discriminating against people on the basis of religion. Religion is just like any other lifestyle choice we make - open for discussion and criticism.

I disagree Andrew, what real choice does a child born to a poor uneducated family Afghanistan have?

I don't meet kids from Afghan villages though - I meet people who live in a country where we are free to question assumed truths. Those who still choose to lead blinkered lives and, worse, indoctrinate their children to have closed minds should be pulled up about it.

The problem with anti-religious discrimination rules and legislation is that it allows the religious to avoid criticism of their point of view. If a certain group of people happen to all believe in the same invisible ghost daddy, and then use that common link to gain advantages over people not in that group, then they should be able to be criticised for it.

To many your brand of atheism is as blinkered as any religious belief.

I guess Andrew is quite happy with you expressing that opinion, and would be willing to debate it.  This is what his original point alluded to, and is probably the difference between a religious 'believer' and an atheist who is a strong 'non-believer'.

[Wardonkey]

You and Andrew are disputing the right of parents to educate their children as they see fit.

I don't see the point you are trying to make.  It's perfectly possible to have a religious belief and retain the ability to discuss it intelligently.

[AndrewT]

To many your brand of atheism is as blinkered as any religious belief.

I guess Andrew is quite happy with you expressing that opinion, and would be willing to debate it.  This is what his original point alluded to, and is probably the difference between a religious 'believer' and an atheist who is a strong 'non-believer'.

Precisely.

Yes, I have a strong point of view on this kind of thing but, if challenged by someone with a differing viewpoint, I'm quite happy to explain why I think I'm right, and why I think they're wrong. Just like I would be with any other topic.

Pro-religious counter-arguments tend to be 'I'm right'. 'Why?', I ask. 'Just because', comes the reply, which is obviously no kind of argument whatsoever. It is precisely because pro-religious arguments cannot be backed up that they seem to require special protection - religious people seem to need to legislate against atheists saying the emperor is naked.

[kinboshi]

You and Andrew are disputing the right of parents to educate their children as they see fit.

We're disputing the right to debate the point.

don't see the point you are trying to make.  It's perfectly possible to have a religious belief and retain the ability to discuss it intelligently.

Absolutely.  The right for intelligent debate on the subject was what Andrew was asking for.  I think the point was that we should be allowed to question a religious view (in the same way as any other views can be questioned and discussed), and that it shouldn't be a restricted topic for discussion - as though a religious view is in some way sacrosanct and 'above' other opinions.

[Nem]

Religion = WALOB

Discuss that

[tikay]

Religion = WALOB

Discuss that

WALOB = What A Load Of Bible?

[ifm]

I do have a question about the "rules" though, what about PM's? i understand Nem was banned because of PRIVATE messages, what's the standpoint on that??

bump

[Nem]

Religion = WALOB

Discuss that

WALOB = What A Load Of Bible?

 

[Nem]

I do have a question about the "rules" though, what about PM's? i understand Nem was banned because of PRIVATE messages, what's the standpoint on that??

bump

For the record, I was not banned from blonde because of an argument with Rookie via pm. It was one of the final straws but not THE final straw that made Darth Tighend banish the great one for 2 weeks.

[AndrewT]

Here's an example.

I think it is wrong that a certain group of people are allowed to mutilate the genitals of their baby sons, purely because they all happen to believe in the same invisible ghost daddy. I'm quite prepared to debate with someone having an opposing view.

However, it is very difficult to have that debate without someone accusing me of being racist/persecuting someone because of their religion. Any anti-discrimination rules are used to effectively stifle debate on issues in which the pro-religious arguments are weak.

Anyway, I think the thread is getting off-topic. We've had loads of debates on religion on here, and I have never had one of my posts altered by a mod. I would assume that the new rules are simply a clarification of the current modding procedures, rather than an introduction of anything new, therefore what was deemed OK in the past will be OK in the future.