What does TBR want this forum to be, part deux

At the birth of this forum, I posted a poll as to what the board wanted from Religion & Spirituality. The results at that time were overwhelming -- 51 in favor of a place where people of all faiths (or none) were welcomed, and all views were respected. 9 in favor of an unmoderated, R&R style free-for-all, where anyone could post anything, and people who were offended could ignore the offending posts.

I think it's time to put that question out again to see what TBR wants.

 

You cannot feasibly share a space with the religious and the non-religious and no one ever gets offended. I don't feel respected by the supernaturalists and to be honest I have little respect for their irrationality. If you insist that we not namecall, I can do that. But there is a fine line between namecalling and simply calling something what it really is.

My suggestion is to make this forum like a football game. There are rules against holding and other infractions, and the ref could probably call one every play. But you don't have to call a penalty if good football is being played. Let the participants play. Sly will cry and whine about it, but that is just Sly.

Thus, it would require a fair and moderate referee. Not a slacker and not a Nazi. The point is the flow and exchange of ideas and points of view. But as soon as someone gets their panties in a wad, which will happen, start throwing flags and focusing the discussion.

My two cents.

 

consistent

 

Free Miss tery.

 

too late, he's already been freed

 

I don't think anyone who frequents this forum thinks it's possible to keep people from finding each other's views offensive from time to time. That doesn't mean we can't all be at least minimally courteous in expressing those views. That doesn't preclude some really spirited discussion.

Namecalling crosses the line, IMHO; & furthermore, it weakens the argument of whoever engages in it. If I disagree with someone who is doing that, it leads me to discount their opinion even further. If I agree with them, I'm always sort of embarrassed that they couldn't argue the point any better than that.

I like the football analogy--it's good. It seems to me that's basically what it's been like in here. But then I don't participate as heavily as some others do here, so maybe that's just my perception.

I hold a pretty significantly minority viewpoint in here, but I feel completely free to express myself honestly. And I generally feel that I'm treated with respect. I try to treat other posters & ideas with respect as well. I don't find it at all difficult.