Religion on ENWorld

[Belen]

In this case, it was, of course, because I didn't want to name anyone publically, like you mention further down (although if someone really wanted to find the post in question, I'm sure it's not that difficult).


Like I said above, this particular poster has "proclaimed" his (newfound?) faith in several other threads, hence why it rang my "religion alarm bells." Granted, the quoted text above isn't as egregious as others, which I also pointed out.


Of course, I wouldn't put a direct link here. I shall report the posts I find the most "offensive" to me.
And then hope for "equality for all"

Edit: Well, I'll report them when I've gotten some sleep... Zzzzzz

As long as he is not preaching at you and trying to get you to convert, then why do you care? You come off as being offended that he has faith rather than what he is saying.

If ENWorld every gets to the point where they have to participate in thought control, then it will not be a place to hang out any longer. There is nothing wrong if someone says "God bless" or "You are in my prayers." I may not share those beliefs, but their intent is to provide comfort etc. They are not preaching in this sense.

The passage you quoted is in no way inflammatory and I will loose a lot of respect for the mods if they say something to someone for it.

 

[RangerWickett]

If ENWorld every gets to the point where they have to participate in thought control, then it will not be a place to hang out any longer.

Now, if you pardon me, I'm going to go drink some cold, refreshing Mountain Dew. Mountain Dew, it's what gamers drink!

*steeples fingers*

Excellent.

 

[Belen]

What I have a problem with isn't really that people post religious messages in their posts either. No, the problem lies in the fact that those messages often slip by, while posts of the opposite opinion are often squashed and seen as "bad" by a lot of people. That's the double standard I'm objecting against, what with the apparent "no religion" rule being in place.

Have you ever considered that the posts supporting the opposing position are actually inflammatory or militant?

If someone starts to get preachy, then I may get angry; however, if someone makes a statement that they "personally" believe in God, then no big deal. Also, no big deal if someone says "I do not believe in any higher power."

If someone says "I believe in God." And the opposing post is "You're an idiot, or God sucks, or how can anyone fall for that crap?" Then we have a problem.

embrace God" statement is offensive to someone who's opposed to religion (either that particular religion or an atheist).

Someone who is "opposed" to religion wishes to practice thought control. They want to force people to think and believe in the "acceptable" way. There is something wrong if someone gets offended just because someone else has a different belief. And I would be just as mad if someone wanted to make/force someone too believe.

 

[the Jester]

Someone who is "opposed" to religion wishes to practice thought control. They want to force people to think and believe in the "acceptable" way. There is something wrong if someone gets offended just because someone else has a different belief. And I would be just as mad if someone wanted to make/force someone too believe.

I suspect that you misinterpreted GentleGiant's meaning here... I think by 'someone opposed to religion' he prolly meant someone who isn't religious and doesn't like having religion pushed in his face. I can relate to that (though I am religious, I am not a Christian, and I hate having religious advocates preaching at me).

 

[Thornir Alekeg]

Just to clarify, while people are welcome to discuss this topic (as long as they don't actually discuss religion or politics while doing so), the Meta forum is not a decision-making-by-consensus venue - and decisions aren't made by consensus round here. There's no decision or policy change on the horizon.

I didn't know we had a king. I thought we were an autonomous collective.

HELP! HELP! I'm being repressed!

Sorry, Admiral.

 

[Rystil Arden]

Have you ever considered that the posts supporting the opposing position are actually inflammatory or militant?

If someone starts to get preachy, then I may get angry; however, if someone makes a statement that they "personally" believe in God, then no big deal. Also, no big deal if someone says "I do not believe in any higher power."

It is of my opinion that if someone posts something like:

"Don't worry so much. Stress can make your problems worse. Just have faith and God will deliver you from your troubles as he does for all his children."

And then there is another reply:

"There is no God, so you're going to have to take this problem into your own hands. I suggest, first of all, that you start getting your resume out to as many people as possible as soon as possible. Use websites to find job opportunities and keep a look-out in the paper too. You'll find a job eventually if you just keep trying."


I believe that neither post should be moderated, or at least, I wouldn't report either of them. I think what Gentlegiant is saying is that he's found that the second post would be moderated and the first wouldn't.

For what it's worth, in my experience, I have not found this to be the case, and I think the moderators have been fair to all points of view.

 

[Crothian]

I suspect that you misinterpreted GentleGiant's meaning here... I think by 'someone opposed to religion' he prolly meant someone who isn't religious and doesn't like having religion pushed in his face. I can relate to that (though I am religious, I am not a Christian, and I hate having religious advocates preaching at me).

But nothing quoted here is puching anything into someone's face.

 

[GentleGiant]

But nothing quoted here is puching anything into someone's face.

Au contraire, but because you agree with the religious viewpoints being given, then you apparently can't see it from the other side, i.e. how it might seem pushy and offend someone.

 

[GentleGiant]

Okay, I had these thoughts mulling around in my head and couldn't sleep, so I had to jot them down and share them.
I'll respond to some of the other posts at a later time.
Here's what kept me awake :

The "no-religion" should be renamed "you cannot openly disagree with or express sentiments that are contrary to any real-life religion (especially not Christianity) on these boards" - yes, it may sound harsh, but frankly I feel discriminated against because I do not share the, apparent, majority's religious beliefs and therefore can't express this difference of opinion..

One of the problems is that any counter post to a post about e.g. the good of religion is going to sound as an attack. While at the same time a post about how e.g. religion does everyone good is actually also an attack on the belief system that it (i.e. religion) doesn't. It's just more subtle because it takes it standpoint in an established, more widespread and accepted belief system.
So, basically, any kind of religious post is automatically going to annoy someone, but they can't give a reply because of the fear of retribution (whether from moderators or from religious posters who take offence by the "attack" on their beliefs). Hence it's actually the original religious post that's responsible for igniting any kind of no-no posts and therefore noone should be allowed to post such messages in the first place.

I'm not saying that the boards should be cleansed of any reference to real life religion, nor am I saying that one shouldn't be allowed to express one's differing views. Just as long as it has nothing to do with religion.
If you want to offer advice on something, particularly in the Off Topic forum, you can easily do so without bringing religion into it. And if you can't, then don't post. Simple as that.

 

[Dark Jezter]

I think GentleGiant raises an excellent point. I recently had my sig file altered without my knowledge or approval by moderators, who informed me by email after the fact that it was causing problems. Kai Lord's sig file, which is also religious, has never been clipped, though I find it offensive.

I think it has to do with tone.

Kai Lord's sig line seems to be intended to uplift and inspire those who read it.

Your previous sig line, on the other hand, was a harsh criticism of the very concept of religion.