seebs

I dunno. I am inclined to let people keep their fragile points of view, if it seems important to them. If they want to come argue with me, they can. If they come to an open forum, great. If they want to have a quiet place for discussion... that's their right.

The AntiChris

As a general principle, I don't think I really disagree. Although I do believe there are exceptions.

One particular exception, for me at least, is the disruption of religious DBs by people with alternative viewpoints. (It should be noted here that HelenSL has not defined "causing trouble" and I'm assuming this means being disruptive rather than abusive.)

I make an exception in this case because, as an atheist, institutionalised religious belief and dogma have had, and continue to have, a profound effect on my life. The effects of institutionalised religion on my life range from the indirect to the direct, subtle to the overt, and the trivial to the significant. These effects are ever-present and I deeply resent them.

Whilst many non-believers advocate tolerance and respect for religious belief, I take a harder line. I see undue tolerance and respect as lending religious belief legitimacy and social acceptance and therefore merely perpetuating the very things I resent.

So, from my personal perspective, I see nothing immoral if someone were "...to register for a bulletin board with the primary objective of causing trouble on it???". I would actively encourage it.

Just a very personal view from a particularly strong atheist.

Chris

brighid

I don’t believe it is wrong to “stir up trouble” per say in relation to this question. I think it is wrong, to a certain extent that one must be dishonest in order to gain access to that board, but in regard to a place like Baptist Board I think a greater good is served by being present and providing a balanced and more accurate view of non-Christian/Baptist people and non-believers to the audience that frequents BB.

BB is a scary place and when I read what other people justify in the name of their God, and how others trumpet the glory of those prejudicial and hateful views, the atmosphere that is protected and nurtured there sickens me and therefore I think one is justified in breaking the rules in an attempt to rectify this wrong.

Unfortunately the BB, or other forums like it won’t allow dissenting views and or critical examination of their thoughts, views and prejudices and this puts them in a sorry position. Although I think one has justification for infiltrating such a place under false pretenses I do not think this method is conducive in demonstrating a higher ethical standard and thereby casting the Infidel in the best light on someone else’s private forum.

The BB have the absolute right to squash dissent and create a community that is as free or restricted as they wish it to be. Those people have the right to live in a narrow world, suffocated by bigoted viewpoints and stagnate in their own hateful thoughts. We have the right to establish a community that counters those claims and allows any one the opportunity to come and learn and think for oneself. Unless the thoughts and actions of a given group become disruptive or dangerous to any group within a shared community, freedoms must be protected and extended to all – even if one does completely disagree with said thoughts and actions and does so with rational justification.

I suppose then the answer to this question is yes and no, depending on the desired outcome, what good can come of it and what wrong can be righted by such an action. I don’t mean to say that the ends justify the means in every case, because I don’t believe that to be true. However, I do believe in certain instances this reasoning can be viable.

Brighid