Allow Religious Debates. - Tree of Souls

ZenitYerkes · #1 04-03-2010, 07:34 PM

I consider this community and its people mature enough to talk about religious matters without ending up in a flame war; respecting each other.

Why not allow them?

Human No More · #2 04-03-2010, 07:39 PM

So far, we haven't determined a policy either way. Not speaking for any of the other admins, but I think they could very easily get out of hand like they did back at AF. At the moment, we don't need specific rules on them though, I'd say that as long as they don't start to actually be a problem, that's fine. So really, if anyone wants to, then just remember that. There is already one related thread in the debates forum, I think.

**Sovereign** · #3 04-03-2010, 07:53 PM

There's one about meat-eating (in which I discussed the inherent problem with moral debates--they can be had as long as no one acts like a child). There's also a debate about believing in God, which I did not participate in and don't intend to at this time. I agree with HNM, until there's a problem there's no reason to treat it like one.

**Woodsprite** · #4 04-03-2010, 10:10 PM

There's a way to keep this from happening: segregation. I'm assuming most religious debates would want to be done within facets of each region. If the Catholics and the Protestants want to debate, that's fine because they both believe in Jesus. If Shi'as and Sunnis want to debate, it's all right because they both believe in Allah. Same with denominations of the Hindus, the Buddhists, New-Agers, whatever.

As long as they're all kept in within their own confines, the debates would absolutely never turn into flame wars as far as ultimate beliefs go. Sure, some particular about the religion might get heated, but at the end of the day they'd all shake hands because they both believe in the same god/force/deity/entity.

That's my solution. In fact, there should be a sub-section on the Debate forum called "Religious Debates".

**Sovereign** · #5 04-03-2010, 10:54 PM

Well, while I agree with Woodsprite, someone may want to jump faiths... What do we do in that case? No offense to any "true believer" out there, but there's no logically-airtight way to "prove" one religion over another.

**Woodsprite** · #6 04-03-2010, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sovereign

Well, while I agree with Woodsprite, someone may want to jump faiths... What do we do in that case? No offense to any "true believer" out there, but there's no logically-airtight way to "prove" one religion over another.

Naturally, as a Protestant I believe all other religions are completely false... and I have claims for a few religions that I believe are valid discrediting factors... But I'll keep 'em to myself because there's a time and place for those discussions... and that time isn't now, and the place isn't here.

...There's also the tension between atheists and theists (and New Agers). I believe discussions between atheists and theists are totally fine, because they're essentially opposite. Opposite points are better debated and discussed than slight differences of who's the "true" god. If it's "God vs. No God", then the stage is set: you can't possibly be at more odds than that, which means it'll be pretty hard to flame someone who believes what you believe is entirely absent.

Of course, no one expects to change their mind about whether or not there's a god, but discussions that result tend to be very intriguing and interesting to read.

**rapunzel77** · #7 04-05-2010, 07:00 PM

I welcome the idea of a sub forum for religious "debates". I prefer to call them discussions and I don't see why it would be a problem to discuss each other's religions or lack thereof but not devolving into a flame war. That must be avoided at all costs. NO flaming someone because they are of a different belief system. I have seen it done before. Just look on the Avatar IMDB board. It devolved in some placed into a Christian/Atheist flame war. Also, there were several insults directed at specific religious groups.

I understood why there was a policy on the AF curtailing these sorts of discussions. However, I agree that we are mature enough to deal with discussions of this sort. Just look at the political discussions that we have. People can get just as heated about politics as they can about religion but it is very important to talk about these things. If we pretend that no one believes strongly in their religion/political view, etc then how are we to understand each other?

Gunny · #8 04-05-2010, 07:07 PM

IDK about the "debate" section exactly. Imho, I have my belief and you have yours why not leave it there and respect that? I fail to see the point in the religious debates between believers and non believers because it is always the same two people get mad and go off in the thread. Also, the ones who do not believe will not change their mind and likewise for the people who do believe. So if you want to debate for the sake of debating why not choose a better topic that is assured not to escalate into a flame war?

That said, if it is able to be held under wraps with everyone showing each other respect than I am fine with the idea. It will just need to be monitored imo.

**rapunzel77** · #9 04-05-2010, 07:33 PM

Gunny, that is why I prefer discussions as opposed to "debates." With a discussion it can be something like in my beliefs, etc we believe this because of this and the other can say, well, I believe that because of that. This way, it isn't a debate but a discussion, a sharing of beliefs so that one can learn to understand the person even though you might be totally opposed to their beliefs. Does that make sense?

Sacred Tsahaylu · #10 04-05-2010, 08:31 PM

I do not think this is a sensible idea. General forum policy dictates that NO religious debates take place. As you can see in the Do You Believe in God thread, even a simple question can escalate through tangential comments. There is no doubt that the users of this forum are mature and sensible but it would only take one ill phrased comment for the debate to escalate into something more.

Gunny · #11 04-05-2010, 08:32 PM

Yes, I agree a discussion would be a million times better than a debate. A place to discuss ideals and learn about other ideas and religions would be a good idea. Debate just always leads to issues from what ive seen lol.

**Woodsprite** · #12 04-05-2010, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sacred Tsahaylu

I do not think this is a sensible idea. General forum policy dictates that NO religious debates take place. As you can see in the Do You Believe in God thread, even a simple question can escalate through tangential comments. There is no doubt that the users of this forum are mature and sensible but it would only take one ill phrased comment for the debate to escalate into something more.

Sadly, not everyone is like me.

But this suggestion is not about whether or not we bend the rules. This is about changing them; about changing the general policy. It's true one ill-taken comment can lead to certain things, but we've gotten far enough as it is with many topics in the Debate section that are already borderline-religious, and those haven't erupted into anything negative.

Human No More · #13 04-05-2010, 10:50 PM

I really don't see the case for a specific subforum for it though.

Also, allowing them but only for people within the same one - seems a bit pointless to me.

**Woodsprite** · #14 04-05-2010, 11:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Human No More

Also, allowing them but only for people within the same one - seems a bit pointless to me.

If you'd seen some the debates I had with Catholics as well as other Protestants in other forums, you wouldn't think it so pointless.

zongtseng · #15 04-06-2010, 09:44 AM

I think we are going to be OK, for now, with allowing whatever type of debate you want, in the debate forum only. Anyone who is not comfortable with spirited disagreement should not be in that entire section, and I've added such a disclaimer to the forum description. Personal attack and flaming will not be allowed.

Use common sense, and do not enter a discussion you are not capable of taking seriously and courteously.