I don't know about any weirdness this winter (I've only been a member about 5-6 months) but I've seen a lot of good discussion by a lot of very respectful and knowledgeable people in these threads. I've started some threads asking what most in these forums might consider boneheaded or obvious questions and have yet to fall under the wrath of anyone calling me an idiot and wondering why, as an atheist, I don't already know the answer. (With one exception, but it was a theist doing the name-calling and to be fair I kind of started it...)
Not everyone is going to live up to your perfect expectations for a discussion forum and as far as I've experienced the only discussion forums that maintain high levels of "civility" or "politeness" are also heavily moderated and any good conversation that gets going ultimately gets squelched right when it gets interesting (i.e. heated)
My motto in any discussion forum is "you get what you give" and if you come into the forum blasting everyone for being assholes and accusing people of not being able to have a respectful conversation than don't complain when they tell you to fuck off. If you stick around then start some threads and participate in them; set the tone of the conversation you want to have and don't get into a hissy fit when people don't follow your rules for behavior.
There are good people in these forums. Stick around and you'll find them, it doesn't take long.
Not everyone is going to live up to your perfect expectations for a discussion forum and as far as I've experienced the only discussion forums that maintain high levels of "civility" or "politeness" are also heavily moderated and any good conversation that gets going ultimately gets squelched right when it gets interesting (i.e. heated)
My motto in any discussion forum is "you get what you give" and if you come into the forum blasting everyone for being assholes and accusing people of not being able to have a respectful conversation than don't complain when they tell you to fuck off. If you stick around then start some threads and participate in them; set the tone of the conversation you want to have and don't get into a hissy fit when people don't follow your rules for behavior.
There are good people in these forums. Stick around and you'll find them, it doesn't take long.
Teenaged X-Files obsession + Bermuda Triangle episode + Self-led school research project = Atheist.
