What exactly is the politics/religion rule?

[Olive]

Ok, there's been a few times in the last week where people have been discussing politics (to my mind) on the boards.

Now I never post in a thread where there's political content. My position is that there are a lot of gamers who I like as gamers but would really dislike if I knew more about their politics, and I'm sure vice versa, and so it's better for everyone that we don't disuss it here. When I have seen stuff in the past I've emailed the mods.

The way that this has been moderated seems to be that if people say nice things it's ok, but if people dissagree, then it gets closed. This seems to me to favour the people who are willing to bend/break the rules first rather than those respond. And that seems unfair to me.

So can we get some more guidence on this please? I don't want to link to specific examples, cos that's not really going to help. Anyway, if mods would rather discuss this in private, please email me and close the thread.

 

[Crothian]

that it should not be on the site. but in the past few weeks it has been tolerated a little more it seems.

 

[Umbran]

As a practical matter, I don't think the rule is a hard and fast thing. In general, we aren't supposed to bring up politics. However, what qualifies as "politics", and what gets moderator action are somewhat fuzzy. And that is as it should be. It isn't like there's a clear definition of "politics" in teh real world.

The point of the rule is to avoid argument and acrimony. Things that look like they are bound to degrade will usually receive attention - when the moderator becomes aware of it, and if they think it's likely to cause a problem.

 

[Mark]

Moderator! - What exactly is the politics/religion rule?

Uh Oh! Mentioned `em both! Shut `er down!

 

[diaglo]

the rulz have definitely been more lax lately.

i'm not sure why.

 

[Dinkeldog]

In my case because I don't always see everything.

Just don't bring it up. If you see it in a thread, report it. I'd rather have a thread be reported 10 times than have it go below moderator radar, as these things sometimes do. I know that I closed my first thread in months just the other day for breaking this rule.

So again, just don't. You're not going to accomplish anything useful here. Worst case is that people will use your personal political/religious beliefs as a reason to disregard other arguments you have. Ad hominem is a logical fallacy, but it does happen.

 

[EricNoah]

In my case because I don't always see everything.

As an ex-mod, I can say this is exactly why it happens. Someone will gripe that "Gosh, the moderators are allowing XYZ to happen all of the sudden" when in fact it's almost always the case that it just flew under the radar. They don't read every thread; they can't; and they shouldn't have to. So as Dinkledog says, report a thread that you think crosses the line.

 

[diaglo]

what is involved with the mods not removing the politics?

are they only removing ones they disagree with?

 

[EricNoah]

Your brand of humor often eludes me, diaglo. At least I hope it's humor!

 

[diaglo]

Your brand of humor often eludes me, diaglo. At least I hope it's humor!

i wish i was being funny.

i just had a post edited for being too political. and the one i reported wasn't.

i'm guessing my politics don't swing the same.