Why no politics or religion?

[Dark Jezter]

I'm just curious as to why politics and religion are taboo or banned subjects on this forum, and the other EN World forums too? Did something happen before I got here than warranted the ban? I can believe it has something to do with tempers running hot and emotions flaring and so on, but surely we're all adults who can take a bit of healthy debate, aren't we? I mean, why this censorship? I'm just asking?

Hi! I'm DJ, you must be new to the internet, so let me explain a time-tested online truth to you: 99.999% of internet message board threads about politics or religion inevitably deteriorate into flamewars. Those two topics can cause even the most mild-mannered forum poster to become an arrogant, self-righteous loudmouth who is willing to insult those who don't agree with them. Thankfully, the ENWorld moderators have chosen to ban those two topics entirely.

 

[Darkness]

Questions about the boards go in Meta. Moved.

There was a sister site of ENWorld called "Nutkinland" which basically acted as the overflow for all the topics you couldn't discuss here. It isn't currently up though. I don't know why.

http://www.enworld.org/showthread.php?t=144018

 

[Hand of Evil]

I think it is interesting that I grew up with that rule; that it was impolite to discuss religion and politics in mixed company, it was part of being civil.

How the world has changed.

 

[Zappo]

I think it is interesting that I grew up with that rule; that it was impolite to discuss religion and politics in mixed company, it was part of being civil.

How the world has changed.

I think that half the problem is that people don't perceive other messageboard posters as "their company", but as some sort of smart postbot. I routinely read posts that I just can't see a civil person saying to the other guy's face.

Personally, I've adopted the following guideline: never write something that I wouldn't say in front of the person I'm replying to.

 

[diaglo]

Personally, I've adopted the following guideline: never write something that I wouldn't say in front of the person I'm replying to.

i grew up with HoE. i mean with the same rules. never discuss politics or religion in mixed company.

but i also follow Zappo's guidelines.

everything i type i'd say in public.

 

[ColonelHardisson]

There was a sister site of ENWorld called "Nutkinland" which basically acted as the overflow for all the topics you couldn't discuss here. It isn't currently up though. I don't know why.

First, Nutkinland is now Nothingland. It isn't up because Thomas Heretic, the admin, is moving and needs to have it down for a while, a week or so.

Second, NKL/NTL has evolved away from being a pressure valve/spillover site for EN World. While many of its denizens are former or current EN Worlders, the site is independent of this site.

 

[DaveMage]

You can also discuss politics with gamers on Sean K Reynolds' boards.

Though there are certainly representatives from all sides there, be advised that Sean is, shall we say, a tad left of center.

However, IMO he runs his boards very fairly and, unless people get personal and nasty, he doesn't censor. Definitely read the forum rules first, though.

 

[BiggusGeekus]

Second, NKL/NTL has evolved away from being a pressure valve/spillover site for EN World. While many of its denizens are former or current EN Worlders, the site is independent of this site.

Noted.

So, in the future, should I still reccomend NTL?

 

[S'mon]

Randomlings House is a good place to discuss religion & politics with gamers in a polite & friendly atmosphere - its rule is "don't say anything you wouldn't say around a game table", which seems to work very well. See:

http://www.randomlingshouse.net/viewforum.php?f=4&sid=07c2bdb3f39300207a8d310d91b4ef6f

 

[Henry]

The ENWorldian Catechism:

In the beginning Eric created the Grandma, and she was good. She acted as a natural respector of peers, and the people did know how to obey her. And the rules were without form, and void, and people understood the implied rules of civility.

And yea, as the board did grow, so did the implied respect become lost in the telling. And so to combat the most spurious of arguments that caused flames, did Eric craft the Adamantine Rule: No Politics or Religion, lest ye be cast into the void that is rec.games.frp.dnd. And the Grandma filled in the rest.

And the Morrus did come, and take over for the Eric, and he took upon himself the Adamantine Rule and the Grandma, and it was good.


GREYHAWK.*

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Religious and Political discussion have always caused some of the worst arguments, and more importantly it destroys the primary focus of these forums: The games we play. Without it, or (at worst) keeping religious or political references solely in a gaming context, it's not only fostered friendships, it's helped a bunch of people who would normally never even game together to become friends and acquaintences! Some threads may skirt the line, but that's why mods have the discretion that they do, to single out the threads that cause problems, versus those that offers something productive.


*That's my version of "Amen."