Important Questionnaire #18: Proselytizing Sub-forum

[lewisnotmiller]

An atheist board I was on had a special forum for proselytizers: instead of banning them outright, they were restricted to that one forum where they could complain to their heart's content how they were being mistreated and other members were allowed to mock them.

That sort of forum for proselytizers has a certain appeal, but probably wouldn't be a good fit with the tone of RF.

Hmmm...can I update my religion description to match yours? It works better on a couple of levels...

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

I voted strongly agree. Might as well let people get it out of their system.

 

[Samael_Khan]

Please Note: As you might know, proselytizing is currently prohibited everywhere on the Forum. Members are prohibited from attempting to convert other members to their faiths by means of asserting that their faiths are unquestionably true.
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We come across people with this reasoning all the time, even accusing others of lying if they criticize the "true faith" or say that they are "blind". So it seems that this rule pretty much isn't enforced anyway and the forum has become a space for proselytising.

I strongly disagree that a proselytising section should be outrightly allowed as it would take away from the depth and intent of RF post IMO, as there would be people who only wish to proselytise. It could also be a breeding ground for unsavoury characters who wish to start their own weird, potentially harmful, groups and this could backlash on the forum. I think it would make this forum a breeding ground for indoctrination.

I think that RF's current format is best. The DIR's serve the closest we should go to proselytising. The debate forums are best to investigate the foundation of beliefs because it allows people to question statements and really scrutinise a belief, and based off those answers a person can decide whether a religion is true or not.

I see RF as a place where INTELLECTUALS from various beliefs and non beliefs can be found, which is what makes it awesome. There are many knowledgeable people on here. I think a proselytising section could also invite the anti-intellectual and RF could become as average as other forums.

 

[The Hammer]

I voted somewhat agree. I still find it better to allow people to proselytize within their own DIRs and not outside of them, if we are going to allow it at all.

 

[Jedster]

@Sunstone

I neither agree nor disagree with the statement.



because, as I see it, there is proselyting all over the place. albeit much is done somewhat
surreptitiously.

 

[PoetPhilosopher]

After reading the other posts, I have decided to do something which I'd rarely do in these polls and change my vote with the statement that I still don't dislike the idea, but recognize the issues others have brought up and consider them legitimate, and I want to try to hold out for a better proposal of this idea if possible even if it alters the original idea a bit. Since this vote is just about 50-50 right now, I really don't want my vote to be the tipping point that brings it into play. But this is all my personal opinion and stuff, and based on my own perceptions.

 

[PoetPhilosopher]

An idea I like more is one where the rules on preaching are relaxed rather than done away with.

 

[Terrywoodenpic]

I would go as far as saying that it could jepodise the future of the forum.
It is a free ticket for any dangerous and hair brained sect to use RF as a legitimising platform. It could quickly destroy it's reputation as a serious place to discuss religious matters in a friendly way.

 

[Heyo]

I strongly agree. As I see it, it would be a place where we can do what we try to hide but do anyway. One could promote an idea without having to restrict ones language - and one could ask someone proselytizing in an other section to move it to the new one.
Will "Evolution vs. Creationism" be moved?

Come to the Dark side, we have cookies!

 

[oldbadger]

I voted 'strongly agree' because any member visiting that section would be aware that they would be sold stuff.

They could always retreat back to the 'no-selling!' area.

My vote is impartial because I can't think of anything to sell, sadly.

 

[Samael_Khan]

I strongly agree. As I see it, it would be a place where we can do what we try to hide but do anyway. One could promote an idea without having to restrict ones language - and one could ask someone proselytizing in an other section to move it to the new one.
Will "Evolution vs. Creationism" be moved?

Come to the Dark side, we have cookies!

Even though I strongly disagree with a proselytising section, I wonder if it would be completely transparent to the community so that we can all see what is written and a general review of the beliefs in question could be had? Like a member review?

Maybe there should also be an age restriction to the site? Just in case members who want to proselytise start inviting young people to the forum in order to take advantage of them and indoctrinate them? Or will the featured thread prevent them from doing this?

We could also have a topic section maybe that stores all threads relating to debates and discussions on certain topics in order for someone else to see on the home page.

 

[Spirit of Light]

I am all for opning a section for prozelyting, because if you are curioues about a part of a certain religion ør path, you can freely ask questions there without anyone can bash you or ridecule answer you will get.

Some religions and Cultivation paths do have a part where sharing wisdom/prozelye is a part of that part.

That it buggs non believers when they see others sharing of wisdom, will then be out of their path. And they do not need to visit a part of the forum dedicated to prozelyting.
It's a win win situation.

 

[Valjean]

Will gloves and head protection be required? Will hitting below the belt be prohibited?

 

[Terrywoodenpic]

I can see the need for rather more mods if this goes through.

 

[Secret Chief]

I thought a key point of RF is proselytising! (I think that was a joke).

As someone who already finds the distinction between the debate and discussion sub-forums rather too grey an area (though I'm sure it keeps the mods off the streets) I'm not personally feeling the need for another category of conversation. For me it'll probably be just another place for me to post inappropriately.

Anyhoo if enough other members are feeling the need then by all means knock yourself out. I can see members being conscripted for modding duties.

I voted Meh.

 

[Revoltingest]

I wonder how many want or have requested a place to proselytize?

 

[Secret Chief]

Amen!

Hallelujah.

 

[Secret Chief]

Hi @sun rise
Just a quick note. I've decided to let it slide this time, but if you persist in suggesting a 'cat' is a potential substitute for the love and companionship of a dog, I'll probably spew up.

Hold my beer.

 

[PoetPhilosopher]

I wonder how many want or have requested a place to proselytize?

Regardless of the numbers, I myself do consider it, proselytization, a question to eventually crop up on a forum that is largely focused on religion. Sometimes we little guys kind of just go to General Discussions or the Jokes section, and we end up not thinking of many possibilities of how a religious site can handle the religion aspects. Or to put it in much much simpler terms, I think ideas involving religion should mostly be weighed quite often on here, even when 10-20 members aren't pitching the idea, and even if they don't put the same weight on general ideas like whether there should be a haggis with mint sauce forum.

 

[Terrywoodenpic]

I wonder how many want or have requested a place to proselytize?

Well as Trump has started changing the social media laws so that he can continue lying on twitter and facebook.
It might change the laws regarding what Forums can moderate?????