Proselytizing on basil.

basilmarket.com forums : Site talk | 15 posts archived

thread starter angramainyu Jul 01 2009 + PM | QUOTE | PERMALINK | REPORT

Being that basilers rarely know enough about their own religion to be coherent, their comments often spark mindless arguments that run on for pages, and instead of either basiler learning something from the thread, someone gets their feelings hurt, and several interlopers are suspended over something so trivial. I would encourage religious diversity and conversation on Basil, but the way a lot of basilers go about it is counterproductive. And from what I've seen, the leading cause of fights and the inevitable emogency are comments blatantly promoting one over the other. I see a rather high concentration of posts consisting only of: Religion-A is total BS because Religion-B or Irreligion-A states that (strawman argument without any context). If you don't believe Religion-B or Irreligion-A, you're closed-minded.

PyreFang 07/01/09 + PM | QUOTE | PERMALINK | REPORT

I don't think random insults should be tossed around, and attacking other users is against the rules anyway. But I don't think religious threads should be banned.

MysticEnvoy Jul 01 2009 + PM | QUOTE | PERMALINK | REPORT

Agreed. The only time I have been a part of a mature religious discussion on Basil was a 1 on 1 extended discussion with a friend via PM's. Most religious threads, as you said, are filled with responses lacking knowledge, logical fallacies if you will. Most people that begin to get offended start just using ad hominem and tu quoque fallacies to attack other posters, and both sides use argumentum ad ignorantiam , saying, �There�s no proof, so obviously what you believe in is stupid and wrong,� or �You can�t prove my beliefs aren�t true, so they must be right.� As you stated also, both sides use �Straw man� arguments (for those of you who do not know, that is using a watered-down version of your opponent�s arguments and knocking them down to make yours look even stronger). Aye, I could go on to explaining all of the fallacies of logic that Basilers use to produce their illogical religious arguments--begging the question/ circular reasoning (if I had a nickel for every time I�ve seen this used in religious threads, I�d be a millionaire) and false dichotomy (there are gray areas in the �religion� issue people) are another 2 I see quite often. I think we can conclude that this self-righteous �preaching� some people do in religious threads needs to be stopped�all it does is create flame wars. I still believe that people should be able to discuss religion as they wish, but the ignorant and arrogant posts some people write about their own or other�s religions/ beliefs have to be stopped.

Kevvl Jul 01 2009 + PM | QUOTE | PERMALINK | REPORT

PyreFang said: "I don't think random insults should be tossed around, and attacking other users is against the rules anyway. But I don't think religious threads should be banned." Why thank you Rodimposter. You took the words right out of my mouth. Aya, attacking another user or religion is against the rules. If you can debate fairly without insults, go right ahead. Banning religious threads probably isn't going to happen.

angramainyu 07/01/09 + PM | QUOTE | PERMALINK | REPORT

Kevvl said: " Why thank you Rodimposter. You took the words right out of my mouth. Aya, attacking another user or religion is against the rules. If you can debate fairly without insults, go right ahead." Proselytizing isn't really attacking another religion, nor should it be considered provocative. Unfortunately, a lot of basilers who do proselytize end up in the middle of an uproar. It's so indirect as a method of flame-baiting, I have to wait until they slip up and say something directly offensive.

PyreFang 07/01/09 + PM | QUOTE | PERMALINK | REPORT

Kevvl said: " Why thank you Rodimposter." ... I like the top hat + mask combo

TobiasBlack 07/01/09 + PM | QUOTE | PERMALINK | REPORT

correct me if im wrong, but, hasnt the attacking of one users beliefs and/or ideals always been considered against the rules to begin with?

Kevvl 07/01/09 + PM | QUOTE | PERMALINK | REPORT

Ah, I see what you mean. Hmm..Not sure, I'll talk wit the other mods about this one, aya. TobiasBlack said: "correct me if im wrong, but, hasnt the attacking of one users beliefs and/or ideals always been considered against the rules to begin with?" He means something different than that.

TobiasBlack 07/01/09 + PM | QUOTE | PERMALINK | REPORT

Kevvl said: "Ah, I see what you mean. Hmm..Not sure, I'll talk wit the other mods about this one, aya. He means something different than that." ooh... he means the pointless and mindless arguments that just because a = b, then b = d when c = a and d = c. =| i personally love watching those arguments, simply because i am a sadist that gets off to that sort of mindless idiocy and pointless chaos.

Gofsodon 07/01/09 + PM | QUOTE | PERMALINK | REPORT

Every thread on religion I have ever read has always ended in insults and flaming. Some people start threads with honest intentions, but I sometimes get the feeling that some start threads just to spark immature debate. I don't really mind discussing religion, but considering that almost all of the threads end in flames, I'm kind of surprised a rule regarding them hasn't been made yet.

GodsWarning 07/01/09 + PM | QUOTE | PERMALINK | REPORT

Who says a mature discussion can't take place? Attacking users is not allowed anyway.

TobiasBlack 07/01/09 + PM | QUOTE | PERMALINK | REPORT

GodsWarning said: "Who says a mature discussion can't take place? Attacking users is not allowed anyway." it can. i had a 14 page thread about panties, tampons, and menstruation that was incredibly mature; only one poster in it was acting bad, and their comment was removed. hell, a mod even posted in there saying he was keeping watch AND contributed to the thread. it was a proud moment indeed.

GodsWarning Jul 01 2009 + PM | QUOTE | PERMALINK | REPORT

TobiasBlack said: " it can. i had a 14 page thread about panties, tampons, and menstruation that was incredibly mature; only one poster in it was acting bad, and their comment was removed. hell, a mod even posted in there saying he was keeping watch AND contributed to the thread. it was a proud moment indeed." The thread starter is giving the sense that every religion thread turns into a flame war, which is not true. While it may get out of hand, they're basically defending their own religion; Now, though. It's not right for you to throw an insult at them just because of your fear that your religion will be monopolized by theirs. Religion is like an opinion, no one is ever right until we get a fact :P

OxStarxO 07/01/09 + PM | QUOTE | PERMALINK | REPORT

PyreFang said: " ... I like the top hat + mask combo" Lol thats like the 3rd time I've seen someone say that to you.

Coax 07/01/09 + PM | QUOTE | PERMALINK | REPORT

ignorance is bliss, but it shouldn't be against the rules