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Has the forum changed?

Spirit of Light

Be who ever you want
Sorry, I just don't see it. You've been here just under a year now, several of us including me, are nearing or over 10 years. Yes it changes, but personally I would say it is more ebb and flow than a one way direction for the worse. I agree with the person who said that if we want change, to do it yourself. It helps me to post the occasional try to be funny topic, or to ignore the incessant atheist versus theist back and forth. It's just a never-ending movie. Different actors, same movie.

How's the weather in Norway? Is it worth the money to go on a cruise there to one of those stunningly beautiful fjords?
If you thinking of visit Norway i would wait until May or June next year, Now it is just rain until the winter sets in, then it cold for 4 months or so :)
 

Laika

Well-Known Member
Premium Member
Yes i do agree with you, and a new brake from the forum is probably what will happen to me.

I have depression and so I am perhaps more susceptible to it than most. I don't really debate that much these days, but I hang around because I like many of the people here. I've been here nearly five years and I'm still trying to get the "balance" right between what kind of content I read and contribute.

But you're not imagining it. There is "something" that happens after you get caught up in the place which means you need to just take a step back. I think everyone gets it, but it may not be at the same time, some people more than others and it may affect them differently. If you tend to be very emotionally out-going and expressive, you may get hit more than someone who is a very rationalistic and analytic person who are more detached maybe.

Although tolerance is an ideal for many people, putting certain individuals on ignore is often a good idea. You do have the opportunity to "show ignored content", so you can read it occasionally and change your mind.

Alternatively, if in doubt, report it and let the staff decide if it should stay up. If it makes you really uncomfortable, chances are it will make other people feel that way too. Otherwise you can use Site Feedback to tell the staff if you have a more specific issue you need them to look in to.

Honestly, it's all part of learning to live with the new technology. We're all still learning the basics on how much of our lives should be governed by the internet and what people say on social media. So that much we all share in common. :heart:
 

ADigitalArtist

Veteran Member
Staff member
Premium Member
Yes i do agree with you, and a new brake from the forum is probably what will happen to me.
I would never discourage you from taking a break. I've done so before when I had a lot on my plate and not enough spoons, but be aware that the status quo doesn't change when people who want to see change leave.

I'm also in the 'there is nothing wrong with putting problematic individuals on ignore' camp. They might have a place here but that doesn't mean they deserve your attention.
 

David1967

Well-Known Member
Premium Member
The last week or so I have felt the forum has changed (maybe for longer too), and not for the better. It does not feel like a religious forum as it used to do earlier this year.

Have others also felt this?

And if there is a religious topic, it is sure to be beaten down by those who do not believe anything and it is more a competition to bring down religious beliefs. The happiness in the forum is gone, at least to me it is.

Just wait till it gets closer to election time here in the USA.o_O:cool:
 

Vinayaka

devotee
Premium Member
I would never discourage you from taking a break. I've done so before when I had a lot on my plate and not enough spoons, but be aware that the status quo doesn't change when people who want to see change leave.

I'm also in the 'there is nothing wrong with putting problematic individuals on ignore' camp. They might have a place here but that doesn't mean they deserve your attention.
I went for a year. Nobody on ignore currently though, but it is a really good idea.
 

ADigitalArtist

Veteran Member
Staff member
Premium Member
I went for a year. Nobody on ignore currently though, but it is a really good idea.
For a long time I didn't, under the belief that I, as staff, have a responsibility to keep an eye on the whole forum. But I realized that wouldn't be realistic for paid staff, let alone a volunteer who still wanted to have time to use the forum.
Besides, there are plenty of non-staff using the report function to give me plenty to focus on.
 

shmogie

Well-Known Member
The last week or so I have felt the forum has changed (maybe for longer too), and not for the better. It does not feel like a religious forum as it used to do earlier this year.

Have others also felt this?

And if there is a religious topic, it is sure to be beaten down by those who do not believe anything and it is more a competition to bring down religious beliefs. The happiness in the forum is gone, at least to me it is.
You are correct. There is nothing that some atheists here love more than to crash a theological discussion, and use sarcasm and arrogance in an attempt to cow those in the discussion.

I don´t go to their discussions, which seem to primarily center around bashing religion, they ought to stay out of theological discussions.

I will say that of late there seems to be an improvement, or, my ignore list has brought peace.
 

Vinayaka

devotee
Premium Member
For a long time I didn't, under the belief that I, as staff, have a responsibility to keep an eye on the whole forum. But I realized that wouldn't be realistic for paid staff, let alone a volunteer who still wanted to have time to use the forum.
Besides, there are plenty of non-staff using the report function to give me plenty to focus on.
Yeah like me. If I don't push that button 6 times a day, it's not a full day.
 

sun rise

The world is on fire
Premium Member
Most of my posts are in joke threads for a reason. I also avoid certain topics because life is too short etc.

So rather than think about what's going on in RF in general, I focus on what I'm interested in or what I think might be a good discussion topic.

Even for people who ask good questions such as @Sunstone there are some I avoid because to me they are philosophical rabbit holes and I'm not "hunting rabbits" at the time.
 

columbus

yawn <ignore> yawn
Sadly it look to be to the worse now
Over the course of a week?
Seriously?

As a gay man I can state authoritatively that homophobic threads come in spurts. Several over a few weeks, then not so much.
As a Prolifer, same thing.
Etc.

It's a constant cycle and there's no discernible rhyme or reason to the pattern.

Tom
 

osgart

Nothing my eye, Something for sure
There definitely is a strong anti religious agenda presence here. I myself am against certain religions. I do not make it a cause though. I am mainly here to learn about religions I have little understanding of.

There is a method of argument going around that is of the opinion that it is necessary to ridicule people for outlandish beliefs. I do not think that ridicule effectively changes hearts and minds though. It entrenches people in their ways even more than before.

Another thing I find is that certain people want to be authorities and officiate their truth as the only reasonable and acceptable truth that their is. Oppressive!

I personally feel that religion is a form of knowledge. Knowledge that can enhance one's understanding of one's self and others. To me there is the abstract world of ideas, the physical world, and the world of inner being. All three world's can greatly affect how humans choose to live. I hope to see religion adapt and progress in the study of subjective experience going on into the future.

The only conflicting and oppressive religions by their nature are dogmatic, fundamentalist religions that perceive all of humanity as being in need of salvation from their wicked ways. So they will always, always draw a lot of heat from non believers.

RF most certainly is not a refuge for religious minded people.

In my conclusion of thoughts there is a lot of wisdom to be gained by religious methods of understanding the subjective world. Buddhism, and The Tao Te Ching our examples of the fruitfulness of exploring the inner world of being from else perspectives then purely physical reality. In each person is a world of experiences, and ideas about what is wise and knowledgeable. Freedom of self expression is so important. It's far better than having to fit the mold of some other cookie cutter perspective that many people would want others to fit into.
 

Sunstone

De Diablo Del Fora
Premium Member
I don't have an anti-theist agenda, and I don't have an anti-non-theist agenda. But I am against anyone having fun.
 

ecco

Veteran Member
The last week or so I have felt the forum has changed (maybe for longer too), and not for the better. It does not feel like a religious forum as it used to do earlier this year.

Have others also felt this?

And if there is a religious topic, it is sure to be beaten down by those who do not believe anything and it is more a competition to bring down religious beliefs. The happiness in the forum is gone, at least to me it is.
There are many DIRs where you will find people who share your viewpoints and not be dismissive of your viewpoints.
 

shunyadragon

shunyadragon
Premium Member
The last week or so I have felt the forum has changed (maybe for longer too), and not for the better. It does not feel like a religious forum as it used to do earlier this year.

Have others also felt this?

And if there is a religious topic, it is sure to be beaten down by those who do not believe anything and it is more a competition to bring down religious beliefs. The happiness in the forum is gone, at least to me it is.

I do not believe how the forum has nor has not changed is subject to your expectations.

Hint: Human nature does not change.
 
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