question to the mods - about one of the trashed threads - question concerning rules

Ok, well as you know, I've pretty much universally supported your decisions, but this one has me a bit puzzled. There is a lot of "material" on this board that I find offensive, the *american* threads being an example off the top of my head. Does this mean if you make broad general statements about a particular race/nation/etc, and somebody takes offense, the post will be removed? From the deletion I quoted, that's what it seems like to me. In which case, assuming you apply the rule universally, and not just when it suits a mod because of their own personal beliefs, you're going to have your hands full deleting threads. Personally, even though I find a lot of threads on here offensive, I _don't_ want them deleted. It's just some random guy/gal's opinion on the net, I'm equally able to voice mine (or keep to myself).

I can see hate/illegal/etc posts being removed for obvious reasons, but something that is merely offensive because of a personal belief/standard, I can not. Regardless, I'd like to hear your (the mod(s)) explanation of why Christianity/anti-Christianity material earned that thread a deletion, but a lot of Anti-country stuff was allowed. (Unless I've missed something and all those threads got deleted). I'm not accusing anybody of anything, I'm just curious so I know for future reference when making posts myself. I just want a little clarification.

Cheers,
David

 

I moved it to the trash can due to its nature... it was soon to turn into a Organized religion vs atheist conversation, and was becoming a spam trap/smilie/picture only thread
(as in most of the replies were either some picture parodising Christ or just smilies)

I also took offense to the material, and thought it was possible for others to take offense to it as well, which in fact some had, and someone had reported it to the moderators, so when I got the email, looked at it, I binned it; mainly to spare myself the trouble of having to deal with any sort of mess it could have turned into

To quote directly from the thread

while I didn't mean to be that person, I was; though I believe KNA was referring to the fact that people were sort of celebrating their post count in the thread as well, and that it was likely to go very off topic and turn into a serious spam trap.

I suppose for the theoretical aspect of the thread, it could be taken into GN&SD, but thats not my territory, nor am I going to be the one to go there and start a thread on it, mainly because I feel everyone is entitled to their own opinion and beliefs.

Me having had a very religious up bringing, took offense to it.

*though I would like to mention, I own the Buddy Christ statuette from View Askew as well because it's just damn funny


Chris

 

Personally, *I* didnt take offense to the website. If a religion cant withstand someone poking fun at it now and again, then it has no place in *my* kind of world.

But TBH, that thread was CLEARLY becoming a spam trap. There was nothing meaningful going on in the replies, I side with the mod(s).

 

It's also a question of scale, mocking someones God is more offensive than mocking their birthplace. As a Yorkshireman, I feel sorry for anyone born elsewhere.

 

It was actually mocking a stereotype, not a religion.

 

aye a tell thee y cant beat up norht in good old yorkshure

yer all gonan wake up one day & t' world will be over run wi t' yorkshire lads & lassses


sorry couldent resist

 

The original post was to a link which was a parody of a sterotypical gay-bashing person who uses bible quotes and is very pro jesus.

*n

 

Yorkshire is practically down south to me

 

Hate to agree but Yorkshire's in the middle but not the north...

Back on topic

*n

 

1. Yorkshire is Northern (England).

2. Are we to take this as a message that you're allowed to publicly question (or indeed, open a debate on) moderating decisions, as long as you have the nick 'monolith'?

(Without being funny, the preverbial smack has been laid very firmly down for threads that look very much like this one.)

 

I am with Brad on this one.


In reply to Monolith I would say that if you are insulted on a personal level (re:your religion/sexuality etc) this is not acceptable.

To take flak because of where you come from is a little different. I know you Americans are a very proud people but I feel that you should not let this get to you. Most people who are anti-american are anti the American government - not it's people.

It is unfortunate that people tend to judge countries by the actions of their government - but thats the way it goes I am afraid.

Just my 2p

 

I haver lived in many states, and in every public school I have ben in (and berlieve me, it's a lot) it was drilled into our heads that the American government is "of the people, for the people, by the people". Even though I believe it's not for the people, but rather for itself, there is still this feeling of esteem for it. Therefore for a lot of Americans, to insult the government is to insult its people.

Hope this cleared a few things up

 

Well, I have irrefutable evidence that that is not the case.

An american politician



An american





In all seriousness though, I think the problem (if one does indeed exist) stems from the fact that people on either side of the pond don't share the same idea of what does and does not constitute national pride. (Obviously the US/UK divide can be an issue on an international forum.)

I think the growing disillusionment of UK citizens with our country is exasperated by the fact it has actually become difficult to express any degree of national pride in recent years and remain PC.
Flying the St George cross in the last world cup being branded as racist is an excellent example. I think we just generally feel that while national identity is being taken over by right wing extremists we wouldn't want to be associated with, it's also being eroded by the incursion (for want of a better word) of the EU.

Did you know that the EU has now made it law that pig farmers have to supply their livestock with toys because they're so intelligent it's cruel not to stimulate their intellect?

It's only natural that one constructs playful jibes in a manner they themself wouldn't find offensive.

To cut all that down to one line : 'No offence, luv '

 

This is to be shown as mono didn't want to bother emailing me to ask for an explaination as to my reasoning (which had he done so, would have gotten the same response)

 

Who is heading up the EU again?

And for the US Government/US People bit, here is the general rule:

Or you could just look at it like the "N-word issue"
Basically, the well-known rule that states a black guy can call another black guy his *****. But a white guy cannot suggest that a black guy is his *****.
Much the way I am able to call my white friends my "crackers" but would be offended if a black person were to call me or one of my friends their "cracker"

Crazy Americans? Yup.
If you want to attack the American Government, expect a response from the American People.

 

I think that pretty much sums up my feelings. I diss the american government all the time, but i get offended when people from other nations do it.
Also, i love that analogy about the n-word, it's so true.

 

Uhh... This started out as religion... Oh well, I guess I will cover both.

I think religion is something that shouldn't be talked of on a forum. I have always taken great lengths on my threads (that start to have a religious hint of discussion) to stear it another way. Between the athiests, catholics, buddhists, etc... They all believe their opinion is right and, in my experiences, are not willing to listen to the other side without starting a flame war or becoming offended. Religion is an impossible arguement and should be left out, period.

Politics should be talked about minimally in my opinion. Just in America alone you have people for Bush, against him, or even for another guy who isn't even in office. I'm sure it's the same way over in the UK and the rest of the world for that matter.
With politics you need to analyze whats going on though. The only problem comes from the almost finatical support for one's own opinion.

Perhaps you should change your rules to prevent any flame wars about religion. I think politics should be discussed though, but that's my opinion, and I'm not a Moderator, so I don't have any say, just opinion .

 

Or we could open a debate forum for threads like this

 

Or you could use the forum already provided for serious discussion....

 

there is a difference between serious discussion and debate, in my opinion.