Starboy

Ya know I find it very interesting that such remarks are allowed to stand without moderation. If there is a witch hunt here I don't think livius is the target. I am very sure that none of you care for me much but your biases appear to be getting the best of you. If I am going to be moderated then I don't see why this comment is not moderated as well. Otherwise the level of moderation should be lifted for everyone. Either moderate this post livius or don't moderate my posts. Why should Gurdur be allowed to make derogatory presumtions and I am not? Even if I am the target.

Starboy

livius drusus

Please feel free to raise any complaints about my moderation of this thread or any other in the Bugs forum. They are not appropriate here.

Thank you,
livius drusus
Moderator, GRD

Magus55

Now you know how theists feel every day. Sucks to be on the receiving end of insults and ridicule doesn't it?

Calzaer

Hey, if I believed in a magical happy kingdom in the sky and posted about it on an atheist messageboard, I'd expect insults and ridicule. That it seems to take you by surprise makes me really wonder about some things....

livius drusus

I have split off the discussion of the moral basis of our laws and moved it to MF&P: Individual Morality, Religion and the Law. I neglected to unlock it before moving it, but I have alerted the MF&P mods so it should be in full posting shape shortly.

Meanwhile, this thread remains a discussion of the way to respond to theists and stereotypes of atheists.

Thank you,
livius drusus
Moderator, GRD

livius drusus

I don't understand this position at all. Why should a discussion board seeking to cover theological, moral, philosophical, historical, scientific, and pretty much any other grounds you can think of, single out theists for ridicule solely because of their beliefs? Particularly in GRD, where all we discuss is matters of religion. Why must presenting a theistic opinion be the equivalent of walking the plank just because the majority of people here are atheists?

I assure you, it is possible to refute such beliefs without the taunting and jeering. I submit that the Secular Web's dedication to "the pursuit of knowledge, understanding and tolerance" is far better served by a default of civility than one of insults and ridicule. From the Forum Rules and Policies:
IOW, Magus had every right to expect that he would not be constantly subject to insults and ridicule. It's in the rules that those kinds of behaviors are discouraged here. If he had expected otherwise just because the site is predominantly atheists, then he would be stereotyping us as the hateful atheists and we'd be criticizing him for that. Oh wait. That's exactly what the OP was doing. The wheel has come full circle.

I love IIDB. I believe that the mission of the Secular Web is a good thing and worth upholding in whatever ways I can. Please explain to me how theist-baiting upholds that mission. Please explain to me how it is not in direct contravention of it, because frankly, try as I might, I don't see how we promote a nontheistic worldview by spewing venom at people who disagree with us.

Gurdur

Yo !
Well-said. Seconded.

HelenM

Why? Do you assume that everyone who disagrees with you will insult and ridicule you?

Helen

wildernesse

Theists feel as if they are treated unfairly and targets of witch hunts everyday--they are insulted and ridiculed everyday? This theist certainly doesn't feel that way--nor do the vast majority of the fellow Christians I know.

This statement would be more accurate if it said that you feel that way, not the whole of the theists in the world.

--tibac

livius drusus

Agreed. He should probably have also added "on IIDB" somewhere in there.