Make Atheist Forums Great Again (Part 1)

[Tiberius]

Calling an idea "stupid" isn't the best way to critique something, but ultimately it's a relatively tame expression. Calling an idea "fucking stupid" is less desirable, but still, "fucking" just emphasizes the stupidity you are trying to convey.

Calling an idea "retarded" is literally using a slur for mentally disabled people. So yeah, there's a big difference.


I would say both of those would be allowed. The emphasis of the rule is really on "slurs". "Stupid" and "Inane" are perfectly valid criticisms of ideas; of course they both should be expanded on. Saying "Why Christianity is so retarded" would be disallowed due to the use of the slur.

There are some words which are always slurs (e.g. retarded). There are some words which are slurs in context (e.g. retard). There are some words which are slurs when you purposefully apply them to people, but not when they are applied to ideas (e.g. stupid).

Calling a particular idea stupid is one thing but to characterize any and all facets of Christianity as stupid would require a great deal of explaining.  Otherwise, how is that any different than trashing an entire group of people.  Consider in the political realm how the same sweeping condemnation of conservatism or liberalism would come off sounding.  Wouldn't it become a condemnation of an entire group of people without a narrowed target of criticism along with adequate support for making that case?

For me there is a difference in calling an idea stupid, and calling believers of the idea stupid. Believing in a stupid idea doesn't automatically make one stupid; perhaps it's an idea that they haven't thought about enough, or haven't heard a good argument against, for example.

I agree that calling Christianity as a whole, stupid, requires a great deal of explaining. That's what threads are for though.

I want to keep having user feedback for changes. If the current thread title rule is a success, there may be people wishing to expand it to include other things, we shall have to see.

"Once again, a reminder that this is the first post in a series, there will be more to come"

Okay, fair enough. It's an announcement, not an open discussion.

It is an open discussion. I was taking issue with you saying "That doesn't seem like it will go far enough to inspire measurable change."

Again, there are more changes, some of them related to this new rule (in part) which we have yet to announce. I think people will be pleased, at least I hope they will. The staff are still discussing several changes, we have many agreed to, some we need to flesh out more, etc. I'll be making an announcement hopefully every few days to get feedback.