SLUniverse Forums

Cristiano

As the forum continues to grow and diversify, it is becoming increasingly important that this remains an environment where people feel welcome and not targeted for ridicule or persecution. Yes, there will always be drama and personal disputes, however, it doesn't mean that civility and respect should not be the goal here.

For the non-religious, please at least respect the fact that those who are religious, be it Christian, Muslim, Wiccan, or whatever faith and belief system they follow, it is something that they hold sacred. You don't have to agree with it, but it does not mean you get to openly scorn and ridicule it. They don't need to be told how clueless or silly they are to believe in something. It doesn't mean you can't have critical discussions of religion. It means to treat the people here as individuals. Religion is very personal to the individual.

For the religious, it is also important to recognize that there is a large demographic here that have experienced ongoing personal discrimination that has been perpetrated in the name of religion. No, you are not responsible for this as individuals (unless you are also involved in actively discriminating against people based on your faith), but be aware that people who are not religious often resent the implied or stated implications that they are lesser because they don't share your beliefs, and many have had quite painful experiences at the hands of the religious.

Ultimately, it comes down to showing mutual respect to each other. There are ways to discuss topics without using incendiary language and without painting an entire group of people with the same broad brush. There is a balance that is sometimes hard to achieve - some people will choose to read more into things and be offended, regardless. However, it is important to take steps to at least minimize the possibility. When someone does say "hey, that really upsets me", if it is not what you meant, then it is far better to just acknowledge that and restate it instead of stonewalling and telling people to get over themselves.

I'm not expecting political correctness, just a bit more sensitivity than I have been seeing over the past few months, across a wide variety of topics. This is a great community of people, and I do not want to see it start to erode in animosity and constant negativity. Please, start treating each other a little bit better. It's not that difficult.

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"How do you defame someone who has been arrested in three different Chuck E. Cheeses?" - 30 Rock

Joshua Nightshade

Emo moderator is emo.

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Cristiano

Wow, I am shocked this has not gotten any responses other than you know who.

Stankleberry Sullivan

Stop trying to force your beliefs about being respectful on me!

Briana Dawson

FINE!

I posted. Happy?

Joshua Nightshade

I know, that fucking Cris is everywhere.

Lucifer Baphomet

As a Discordian, It is my sacred duty to point and laugh at everything


























including myself

Aodhan McDunnough

I don't see any forum member named Yeenoghu

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Cocoanut Koala

Cause I been spending all day in the other thread! Man, a thread like that eats up your whole LIFE!

coco

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Cristiano

Try having an entire forum

Clancy Sullivan

Fuck off, bitch!

I meant Josh.

You're words, Cris, were full of wisdom, awe, even.

Ned Easterwood

Thanks Cris.
Well said.

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Ned
Take 'er easy for all the sinners of the world, dude. Abide. And amen. http://www.dudeism.com/
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Brig McD

We dub thee Saint Cris of teh Interwebz

Rooke Ayres

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Have a good one!

Fmeh

Sorry for my last religion thread.

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Chip Midnight

I think you hit the nail on the head there. It's really easy to fall into making unfair generalizations, often even without any premeditated desire to be inflammatory but just in an attempt to use an economical rhetorical device. When you offend someone, or get offended by someone, it can be an opportunity and something constructive can come out of it, but not when either side just starts hurling epithets and personal attacks. Once that happens it all goes pear-shaped and any chance for productive and interesting dialog tends to go out the window.

I've spent a lot of time in the past year reading and participating in the Newsweek/Washington Post "On Faith" blogs. It's been eye opening to read some of the truly brilliant bloggers and posters over there on all sides of the issues (not to mention the highly entertaining crackpots on all sides). For anyone who really enjoys religious debate, I highly recommend it. (On Faith at washingtonpost.com)

Asher Bertrand

I will.

You know, I thought about creating a "What I admire about faiths and worldviews other than my own" thread, but I'm so certain it'd become a mudfest that I haven't. And that's a pity, because there is so much good in every system of faith and philosophy that just about anyone could appreciate.

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Ned Easterwood

I am glad this has re-appeared, because obviously it's still needed.

Chill, people. Go find the Church of the Latter-Day Dude or Unitarian Jihad and take what they say to heart.