Forum Guidelines 2018
In our minds.
Oh…
I second civility. Especially important with newcomers.
Also, a guideline rather than a rule, would be to summarize info in linked articles. So rather than just saying, “Click here and read this to see my point,” it’s best to state the gist of it. Otherwise, most readers will never know what the poster meant because they don’t read the link.
Retire the snide Butt Fairy references. Geez, we’ve heard that dis a million times. The atheists among us need a new, updated amusing put down. Same with flying spaghetti monster. These have lost their punch. Why not pose as literati and toss around some other witty references such as Bokononism, a fictional religion from Kurt Vonnegut’s novel Cat’s Cradle, which promotes harmless comforting lies called foma. Or the Church of God the Utterly Indifferent in Kurt Vonnegut’s The Sirens of Titan. (Wikipedia can make us sound so clever!)
In our minds.
Oh…
I second civility. Especially important with newcomers.
Also, a guideline rather than a rule, would be to summarize info in linked articles. So rather than just saying, “Click here and read this to see my point,” it’s best to state the gist of it. Otherwise, most readers will never know what the poster meant because they don’t read the link.
Retire the snide Butt Fairy references. Geez, we’ve heard that dis a million times. The atheists among us need a new, updated amusing put down. Same with flying spaghetti monster. These have lost their punch. Why not pose as literati and toss around some other witty references such as Bokononism, a fictional religion from Kurt Vonnegut’s novel Cat’s Cradle, which promotes harmless comforting lies called foma. Or the Church of God the Utterly Indifferent in Kurt Vonnegut’s The Sirens of Titan. (Wikipedia can make us sound so clever!)
And we’ve heard the god dis a trillion times, time for believers to come up with new make-believe gods. See how stupid that sounds when you are projecting your own ignorance and bias about things you don’t understand. The Butt Fairy is not a dis.
The Butt Fairy is not a dis.
Huh?
The Butt Fairy is not a dis.
Huh?
Exactly!
The Butt Fairy is not a dis.
Huh?
Exactly!
I’m not saying I don’t comprehend what you’re writing. I apologize for being unclear. I am saying that evoking the Butt Fairy seems like a form of ridicule. I’m willing to read your explanation, if you see it differently.
The Butt Fairy is not a dis.
Huh?
Exactly!
I’m not saying I don’t comprehend what you’re writing. I apologize for being unclear. I am saying that evoking the Butt Fairy seems like a form of ridicule. I’m willing to read your explanation, if you see it differently.
The Butt Fairy is a metaphor.
The Butt Fairy is not a dis.
Huh?
Exactly!
I’m not saying I don’t comprehend what you’re writing. I apologize for being unclear. I am saying that evoking the Butt Fairy seems like a form of ridicule. I’m willing to read your explanation, if you see it differently.
The Butt Fairy is a metaphor.
But a metaphor of ridicule; at least it seems to me. I’m not opposed to ridicule per se, in an online disagreement. I do feel that elaboration of reasons does more to enlighten a discussion, however, while ridicule tends to cut it off. As do character insults. But whatever, just my opinion. Carry on.
The Butt Fairy is not a dis.
Huh?
Exactly!
I’m not saying I don’t comprehend what you’re writing. I apologize for being unclear. I am saying that evoking the Butt Fairy seems like a form of ridicule. I’m willing to read your explanation, if you see it differently.
Surely you must understand it to be stating that it shouldn’t be allowed on this site, right.
The Butt Fairy is not a dis.
Huh?
Exactly!
I’m not saying I don’t comprehend what you’re writing. I apologize for being unclear. I am saying that evoking the Butt Fairy seems like a form of ridicule. I’m willing to read your explanation, if you see it differently.
The Butt Fairy is a metaphor.
But a metaphor of ridicule; at least it seems to me. I’m not opposed to ridicule per se, in an online disagreement. I do feel that elaboration of reasons does more to enlighten a discussion, however, while ridicule tends to cut it off. As do character insults. But whatever, just my opinion. Carry on.
Is ridiculing a philosophy as serious as ridiculing a person? Are we so personally attached to our philosophies that they actually are sacred?
The Butt Fairy is not a dis.
Huh?
Exactly!
I’m not saying I don’t comprehend what you’re writing. I apologize for being unclear. I am saying that evoking the Butt Fairy seems like a form of ridicule. I’m willing to read your explanation, if you see it differently.
The Butt Fairy is a metaphor.
But a metaphor of ridicule; at least it seems to me. I’m not opposed to ridicule per se, in an online disagreement. I do feel that elaboration of reasons does more to enlighten a discussion, however, while ridicule tends to cut it off. As do character insults. But whatever, just my opinion. Carry on.
Is ridiculing a philosophy as serious as ridiculing a person? Are we so personally attached to our philosophies that they actually are sacred?
I think this is key – ridiculing an idea versus ridiculing a person.
I am speaking here of my opinion in regards to preferred behaviour (basic civility, good manners), NOT a recommendation for a rule.
Perhaps ridicule has its place, but there should be some consideration of how it is used. It may be useful in response to ‘bad ideas’, but does it have a place when one simply disagrees? When a newcomer is ridiculed before they are even given a chance to properly explain their position, is that fair? When conversing with a more senior patron one ‘knows’, there is more leeway if known positions and mutual understanding are taken into account. Ridiculing a person should be reserved for those who truly deserve it.
I wonder how many newcomers have been scared off, and how many valuable former patrons are no longer posting, because of a lack of civility.
It is difficult to come up with working guidelines that don’t stifle discussion in one way or another.
One of the down sides of being an atheist is that you can’t pray for guidance.
I’ll apply but:
1. Will not usually initiate posts
2. Subscribe to the assumption that any list of guidelines needs to enforced clearly absent endless debate
3. Arbitrary enforcement repeated need to result in removal of enforcer
4. Posters like BM have no basis on this forum nor reason for me to be interested in this forum
5. Sanctions applied absent justification explicated on demand are grounds for removal of applier
6. Seniority of membership does not assure immunity from sanctions but does provide for a more judicious application of sanctions.
7. No criticism will permitted directed at small now blind dog
The Butt Fairy is not a dis.
Huh?
Exactly!
I’m not saying I don’t comprehend what you’re writing. I apologize for being unclear. I am saying that evoking the Butt Fairy seems like a form of ridicule. I’m willing to read your explanation, if you see it differently.
Surely you must understand it to be stating that it shouldn’t be allowed on this site, right.
Not at all. I was trying to be amusing, but altogether failed. So much for that. You do tend to evoke the Butt Fairy and FSM repeatedly, but that is your prerogative. I said that ridicule doesn’t help the conversation, not that a person who ridicules should be banned.
One of the down sides of being an atheist is that you can’t pray for guidance.
Nor forgiveness.