Official Invitation to the Club Adventist Family

[Key Guy]

You are invited to join the 'new' Politics (mainly U.S.) forum!

In response to comments, ideas and suggestions, Stan has re-established the forum to accommodate a less-structured form of discussion on the touchy, toasty subjects of politics. It's closed to the general membership, but available to any who wish to enter. Interested parties may request access by contacting Stan.

In addition to subjects in the political arena, we'll be facing sensitive religious and moral issues head-on, without the gloves.

Our rules (we HAVE to have SOME) are simple:

Disrespect demonstrated by extreme name calling or vulgarities and swearing will not be tolerated. Posts containing such would be simply stricken.... period. The poster will be warned. Subsequent infractions will result in a lockout of this section of the forum.

We realize that there are actually more biases than the usual conservative and liberal leanings and want to give ear to as many views as possible. Our goal is to make this be fun without the blood.

This will be an ongoing experiment and we pray that blessings can come even through rousing disagreements at times. We want the Christian family relationships to become stronger, yet have participants not be afraid to express their opinions. Tough skin will come in handy, too.

We hope to see you there often. Bring an open mind!

Your thick-hide moderators,

Shane & KeyGuy

[Woody]

I am not sure why we need a forum where tough skin is needed. This sounds like the same o' same o' . What a shame. A clean start could have required clean posts.

Why can't a politics forum be just like all the others that require GOOD behaviour.

This is the one that gets me:

"Disrespect demonstrated by extreme name calling or vulgarities and swearing will not be tolerated."

What is the definition of "extreme"?

The other forum require that NO name calling be allowed.

I prefer the latter.

[Key Guy]

Thank you very much, Mr. Redwood (dripping with courtesy).

I called a guy a moron once. In other forums here, that was pretty close to the edge. But in the Politics section, I'd let that slide. Especially if a poster actually was a moron.

[Outta Here]

Thank you very much, Mr. Redwood (dripping with courtesy).

I called a guy a moron once. In other forums here, that was pretty close to the edge. But in the Politics section, I'd let that slide. Especially if a poster actually was a moron.

This is the very sort of thing that infuriates me here. This has nothing to do with politics, but rather with common courtesy toward one another. It is uncomely behavior to call anyone a "moron" (or any other derogatory term). It should not be tolerated by moderators on any of the forums.

Dictionary: mo·ron (môr'ŏn', mōr'-)

1.A stupid person; a dolt.

2.Psychology. A person of mild mental retardation having a mental age of from 7 to 12 years and generally having communication and social skills enabling some degree of academic or vocational education. The term belongs to a classification system no longer in use and is now considered offensive.

[Stan]

Preach it sister!!!

[GreatLakesGramma]

I agree. There is no valid reason to be disrespectful toward anyone just because we disagree with them.

[phkrause]

And the disagreement can be as simple as just being a democrat or republican. I've seen slurs thrown just for that reason only. People calling another a moron for being one or the other. Maybe not just calling but just implying that. So I agree with you that there should be none of that.

pk

[Key Guy]

No calling anyone a whited tomb, hypocrite, serpent, etc. Name calling is sinful.

[Woody]

Much better KeyGuy. Now you are gettin' it.

[GreatLakesGramma]

No calling anyone a whited tomb, hypocrite, serpent, etc. Name calling is sinful.

When you can see what's in a person's heart as Jesus could, through the power of the Holy Spirit, then you might be justified in calling someone those things. But you would also have to be doing it for the same reason He did - because they were leading people astray from God by exalting themselves and pretending to speak for Him, and also in the same spirit - love for their souls as well as for others'.

[Key Guy]

Originally Posted By: KeyGuy

No calling anyone a whited tomb, hypocrite, serpent, etc. Name calling is sinful.

When you can see what's in a person's heart as Jesus could, through the power of the Holy Spirit, then you might be justified in calling someone those things. But you would also have to be doing it for the same reason He did - because they were leading people astray from God by exalting themselves and pretending to speak for Him, and also in the same spirit - love for their souls as well as for others'.

We tend to call name-calling childish and immature. It's obviously not always the case. We may not be able to read hearts, but we CAN see some comments for what they are, pretty obvious attempts at displays of lunacy.

[nuff sed]

In order to be politically correct here what "Do" we call morons? <g>

[Key Guy]

Uh oh... To think all this time, I thought 'moron' WAS politically correct!

[Outta Here]

When responding to persons posting on this forum, the following list of appositives would suffice:

My beloved sister

My beloved brother

My brother

My sister

My friend

My mother

My father

My husband

My wife

My friend who is closer than a brother

My friend who is closer than a sister

Mate, buddy, amigo, pal

My prayer partner

[Woody]

Right on Aubrey

[Key Guy]

Right on Aubrey

Uh... that's "My beloved sister, Aubrey" to you.

[Dr. Shane]

The problem in the political forum is that some people get so worked up over political differences that when they respond they type faster than they think. Often times the responses are done purely on emotion and not well-thought out. That is not an excuse for name-calling but simply provides the basis of understanding of why it takes place. When it happens the moderators may make comments or may edit what is being posted depending on the circumstances and context.

It would be wonderful if the political forum could be a place where mature Christians could discuss issues and disagree with each other in a polite and refined manner. It would also be nice if I could have a domesticated tiger but the reality is that the very nature of the beast is inconsistent with such noble aspirations.

The objective is to provide a lively forum that allows for the healthy exchange of ideas. A balance must be sustained between allowing a free-for-all with no boundaries and censoring expression so much that members avoid the forum in fear of posting wrong and getting their fingers slapped.

[Woody]

Under NO circumstances should name calling be excused. And the name calling should be denounced and deleted. Is there any other way that those who participate in name calling will learn?

This is one area that is easy to identify and moderate. There may be gray areas that might be difficult. But name calling is obvious to see.

[carolaa]

I don't agree that name calling is always obvious to see. I don't believe anyone on this forum would purposely call people names on a regular basis. I think KeyGuy and Shane have a great idea, well thought out, so let's let them have a go at it. They can make whatever rules they want to. If someone doesn't like it, they don't have to go there.

[Woody]

Yea. But who would want to be called morons ...

Seems obvious to me.

If it is preceeded by the words "you are a ..."

It has been determined that 'moron' is not "extreme" enough for this forum to challenge. And thus ... nothing has changed. The attitude will remain status quo.

I can see it now ... "you are a crazy humorless woman" or "you are a crazy moron"

Just don't understand why this is necessary.

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

*moron* used to show up in the shout box on a regular basis. I didn't think it was funny at all.

[Key Guy]

*moron* used to show up in the shout box on a regular basis. I didn't think it was funny at all.

Must have been while I was tied-up. I don't recall those exchanges.

If true, perhaps things are getting more civil here.

[carolaa]

I agree that "you are a ..." is pretty clear. But there are finer lines, such as "that idea is dumb" - which I hope I wouldn't say but probably might on occasion - where I've seen people take such personal offense, and I think they need to not be so sensitive.

My wish is that we would all give each other the benefit of the doubt and not assume the worst. Maybe they're just having a bad day. Let it go. Maybe then they will let it go when you or I are having a bad day. If it's really so bad, then quit the thread and move on to something else. It takes two to tango.

[Woody]

Is it any different if the person is a public figure?

Should we say "Obama is a murderer" or "Obama is a liar" ... even if we thought he was?

[Key Guy]

The answer...

Heavy sprinkling of the word 'alleged'. Like Ted Bundy is an alleged murderer. You can say to a goofy poster, 'I think you are an alleged nut case'.