Make Atheist Forums Great Again (Part 1)

[Aliza]

Okay, so "Damn Catholics" is still okay on the main forum but "Catholics are fucktards" will be permitted in R'lyeh?

That doesn't seem like it will go far enough to inspire measurable change.

"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.

[Whateverist]

I know exactly why I use the term, it's accurate.

Fair enough, but it's a slur, right? The spirit of the rule is to make the forum more palatable at a glance. For example, the cover of "Catcher in the Rye" is simple, palatable. You turn to the right page, though, and you're hit with lewdness. Fantastic stuff, but you've got to open it to get there. Let people decide to open it. If the thread title is "Creationism is Stupid," they can choose to join in or not. If the title is "Creationists are stupid," they've been insulted without even opening the thread. Sure, I agree that you've got to be pretty stupid to be a Creationist, but they should be able to browse the forum without being called stupid. Once they open the thread, though, they should be prepared.

I mean, you're not a Creationist, so you're not stupid. Don't use slurs in the titles of threads. You can handle it.

I can't agree that everyone who manages to avoid being a creationist must have achieved a level of  smartness greater than "stupid".  I've seen plenty of stupid on this side of the creationist line.  We often say it doesn't take a genius to achieve atheism.  Surely atheism isn't sufficient to rule out being of below average intelligence.

[Shell B]

I didn’t say “atheists are smart,” I didn’t even mention atheism. I also didn’t say everyone who isn’t a Creationist isn’t stupid, and I’m not taking this off topic with you because I’d rather not have my words be taken and twisted and used to criticize me elsewhere. This will become “oh, that Shelly’s such a cunt. Did you see her saying atheists are all smart and religious people are all dumb? That must mean she hates religious people and is conspiring behind the scenes to make sure they’re driven out of the forum in a tumult of foul language and incivility.

There’s a new guideline. It’s a fair and reasonable guideline, the merit of which has been weighed over many pages by staff after being requested in some form or another by many members. It wasn’t wanted by other members. We sought a middle ground, and we think we might have found it. Let’s talk about that or not talk at all. Thanks.

[arewethereyet]

I would say decisions have been made and it's a matter of you are good with the new rules and adapt and hang around or you leave.

But then again, a big decision was made not long ago and rescinded almost immediately.

As I said earlier...more observation needed.

[Whateverist]

My mistake: "you're not a Creationist, so you're not stupid"

[Shell B]

My mistake: "you're not a Creationist, so you're not stupid"

Read the tone, whatever. I’m obviously joking using the content of his post to banter. I do not think every person who isn’t a Creationist is smart. I don’t think all atheists are smart, and I can’t believed I’m taking the bait.

If you don’t have anything to say about the new guideline, why don’t you go back to being departed?

[brewer]

It sounds like a workable idea and may solve some of the complaints I've heard over the past few years. Other than taming down the thread title(s) my guess is that the discussions within the threads will not really be effected. 

Give it a shot/chance and see what happens. 

(god damn forumtards)

[Shell B]

I would say decisions have been made and it's a matter of you are good with the new rules and adapt and hang around or you leave.

But then again, a big decision was made not long ago and rescinded almost immediately.

As I said earlier...more observation needed.

These are user-suggested rules adapted to attempt to find the middle ground. They may be tweaked after seeing them in action, but few if any will be going anywhere when we’re done figuring it all out.

[Shell B]

It sounds like a workable idea and may solve some of the complaints I've heard over the past few years. Other than taming down the thread title(s) my guess is that the discussions within the threads will not really be effected. 

Give it a shot/chance and see what happens. 

(god damn forumtards)

Damned if you do, tarded if you don’t.

[ignoramus]

Which ones are the hot ones willing to drop trow on a trice?

You'll find them in church on any given Sunday!
What happens behind closed doors at Jor's house is none of Jesus' god damn business!