Is "Religious Forums" Too Political?

[SalixIncendium]

You should read the poll in order to understand the poll.

A post that comes after the poll is extra, unless there's something in the poll that suggests otherwise.

There is a character limit in poll questions and choices as well as a limit in the amount of poll choices. It can be difficult to explain expectations in detail as a result.

Are you quite finished derailing the thread now? Can we please get back on topic?

 

[Mock Turtle]

The last three choices had nothing to do with RF being too political. They were to determine demographic of RF. Are people here to discuss only religion, only politics, or both?

Again, I'm not sure you read or understood the OP and the purpose of the poll.

Just out of curiosity, are really you here to discuss something other than religion or politics? If so, what?

Religion or politics but nothing else? I think others have answered for me, in that I tend to be more interested in things other than either of these, but both often have an impact on other things. Like many probably, I'm more interested in why people form their opinions - religion and politics, but also other things - although not necessarily that interested in discussing or arguing about these two - knowing that beliefs in both are hardly changed by discussions, debates, or much else. As I said, I don't really have an opinion as to whether RF is too political or not and just see much of the posting reflecting on some rather extraordinary circumstances - an apparent megalomaniac being a leader of a very powerful country. Well, of a country that affects us all more than most others.

 

[Revoltingest]

Yep. The same thing holds true with answering a question presented in a title of a thread without reading the OP.



*shrugs* That's unfortunate. If people bothered to read an OP before participating in a poll or a thread, that could quite possible lead to a lot fewer misunderstandings and a significant reduction in drama.

Can't please everyone.

 

[Revoltingest]

Yep, this is the point I'm actually hoping to make. It seems US users do just really love talking about their politics and are really loud about it. I'm starting to think it has something to do with the overall dramafiction of US politics, and we are left wondering why they can't just be quiet for a second.

Ameristan is the most important country in the solar system.
Even ferriners find our drama more interesting than their own.
Canuckstanians only agonize over the latest maple syrup theft.
The French care only about the price of snails.
The Brits spend most of their time *****ing about Lucas Electric.
And the Germans....touching monkeys is all they care about.

 

[SomeRandom]

**Please read the OP in its entirety before voting in the poll**

Given the forum's mission statment...

As a community of diverse cultural and religious backgrounds, our aim is to provide a civil environment, informative, respectful and welcoming where people of diverse beliefs can discuss, compare and debate religion while engaging in fellowship with one another.​

...I think the primary intent of Religious Forums is to discuss and debate religion. A few of us have been discussing behind the scenes our concerns that the political forums are in conflict with the forum's mission statement, particularly with regard to the toxicity, volatility, and lack of civility the political forum brings, particularly in the debate section.

As I look at the new threads section this morning, I'm seeing 7 out of 10 threads are political in nature, which I find a bit unsettling.

View attachment 46777

We have concerns, being a religious forum, that the nature of political debate may have an adverse impact on membership and traffic, particularly with those that registered here with the intent of discussing religion.

The poll in this thread requires two responses. Please read the question in the poll and select one of the seven choices that best fits your views on the political forums and feel free to reply to the thread to add any commentary. Also, please select one of the bottom three responses that best describes why you're here. The results are private and visible only after you have made your selection.

Also, please note in a reply any changes or ideas you think might benefit the community with regard to the political forums.

Thank you for your time in reading and responding to this.

I mean to be fair, the US election and the events of Wednesday are literally world news right now. I might joke that I’m watching for the dramatic element, but it really is legitimately concerning. If you guys do destabilise it has world reaching ramifications for us all.
It’s a giant dumpster fire the rest of us are still gawking at, in spite of ourselves.

That said, I guess not being American it’s a little easier for me to laugh at the circus, so to speak. Also being in lockdown probably fuels my unhealthy desire to watch the “chuds.” And “tinfoil Tuesday” (a streamer looking at conspiracy theorists.) It’s fascinating in a bad way lol

I’d understand if people are getting sick of it all the US politics though. It seems to be very hot button at the moment

 

[Jayhawker Soule]

Compassion to understand is good. Lambasting others for their differences is bad.

...This seems very hard for a lot of people to understand, unfortunately.

Because, as Trump has taught us, there are some very fine people on both sides.

 

[Secret Chief]

The Brits spend most of their time b****ing about Lucas Electric

Huh?

Anyway, an observation.
Accordingy to the thread about where you are from, there seem to be not that many less English-speaking Europeans on RF than Americans. Obviously the US election is a big topic right now but for Brits, Brexit has been described by the ex-Speaker as "the biggest...blunder ....since WW2." It started 4 years ago, is only just starting to have an effect and will likely get much worse and has shown how divided the country is. For Britain it is THE biggest topic. Yes, the US election does have some global implications but if I can't buy food, or the prices go up a lot, or essential meds are unavailable, that is because of brexit. Covid will subside, but Brexit won't. Yet iro RF you might not think this from the number of threads. There seems to be a new thread started on each new aspect of the American election, so the new threads list does look overloaded imo. As I say, just an observation.

 

[Revoltingest]

Huh?

Anyway, an observation.
Accordingy to the thread about where you are from, there seem to be not that many less English-speaking Europeans on RF than Americans. Obviously the US election is a big topic right now but for Brits, Brexit has been described by the ex-Speaker as "the biggest...blunder ....since WW2." It started 4 years ago, is only just starting to have an effect and will likely get much worse and has shown how divided the country is. For Britain it is THE biggest topic. Yes, the US election does have some global implications but if I can't buy food, or the prices go up a lot, or essential meds are unavailable, that is because of brexit. Covid will subside, but Brexit won't. Yet iro RF you might not think this from the number of threads. There seems to be a new thread started on each new aspect of the American election, so the new threads list does look overloaded imo. As I say, just an observation.

This Brexit thing....that's something over in England, right?

 

[Secret Chief]

This Brexit thing....that's something over in England, right?

Yeah, needn't concern you.

 

[Cooky]

Because, as Trump has taught us, there are some very fine people on both sides.

Personally, I see two ways of looking at dialogue as far as purpose...

1. There Is the placing of judgement upon those we come into contact with.
2. There is the desire to understand the roots of human thinking / patterns... To dissect and study.

I prefer the second over the first because I see it as more useful, though I can't claim to be totally innocent of the first (but I try to be). I see the recognition of this difference as both beneficial and enlightening.

 

[Suave]

**Please read the OP in its entirety before voting in the poll**

Given the forum's mission statment...

As a community of diverse cultural and religious backgrounds, our aim is to provide a civil environment, informative, respectful and welcoming where people of diverse beliefs can discuss, compare and debate religion while engaging in fellowship with one another.​

...I think the primary intent of Religious Forums is to discuss and debate religion. A few of us have been discussing behind the scenes our concerns that the political forums are in conflict with the forum's mission statement, particularly with regard to the toxicity, volatility, and lack of civility the political forum brings, particularly in the debate section.

As I look at the new threads section this morning, I'm seeing 7 out of 10 threads are political in nature, which I find a bit unsettling.

View attachment 46777

We have concerns, being a religious forum, that the nature of political debate may have an adverse impact on membership and traffic, particularly with those that registered here with the intent of discussing religion.

The poll in this thread requires two responses. Please read the question in the poll and select one of the seven choices that best fits your views on the political forums and feel free to reply to the thread to add any commentary. Also, please select one of the bottom three responses that best describes why you're here. The results are private and visible only after you have made your selection.

Also, please note in a reply any changes or ideas you think might benefit the community with regard to the political forums.

Thank you for your time in reading and responding to this.

I like discussing socialism or scientific topics such as evolution. I used to like discussing religion, but atheists like 9/10ths Peguin have since convinced me God claims can't be taken seriously.

 

[Terrywoodenpic]

What's the difference?

Can you not see the difference between politics in church and religion in government.?

 

[Terrywoodenpic]

This Brexit thing....that's something over in England, right?

Brexit has happened.

Now we are now going through the pain of getting imports and exports through our ports and transport systems.
Even sending a truck full of goods into norther Ireland is proving difficult.
That is like trucking between two states in the USA. Prior to brexit it was the equivalent of an open road and no paperwork or customs.

Vat is now payable on top of many imports, that before were covered by payments in the EU. With proper paperwork this double payment is avoidable. but it is just another headache. but difficult to do when privately buying from abroad.

We knew it was going to cause transport problems between Europe and the UK, and it is indeed problematic with many shipments turned back and shortages of some food items in the shops, and Factories shutting down lines for lack of parts.

But to a large extent these problems are disguised and hidden from us, by similar problems caused by Covid.
So there is not a lot of talk about Brexit right now.

But that will change, if the problems are not sorted pretty soon.
however the value of the pound and of Shares has been hit hard. most savings are hard hit.

 

[Revoltingest]

Brexit has happened.

Now we are now going through the pain of getting imports and exports through our ports and transport systems.
Even sending a truck full of goods into norther Ireland is proving difficult.
That is like trucking between two states in the USA. Prior to brexit it was the equivalent of an open road and no paperwork or customs.

Vat is now payable on top of many imports, that before were covered by payments in the EU. With proper paperwork this double payment is avoidable. but it is just another headache. but difficult to do when privately buying from abroad.

We knew it was going to cause transport problems between Europe and the UK, and it is indeed problematic with many shipments turned back and shortages of some food items in the shops, and Factories shutting down lines for lack of parts.

But to a large extent these problems are disguised and hidden from us, by similar problems caused by Covid.
So there is not a lot of talk about Brexit right now.

But that will change, if the problems are not sorted pretty soon.
however the value of the pound and of Shares has been hit hard. most savings are hard hit.

Some noses were out of joint, so I've a reminder...
My post mocked Ameristanian focus upon ourselves.

 

[Quiddity]

I haven't been here recently to say for sure, but lately, politics has taken a very real impact out in the real world. So I can certainly see why this would be a concern.

But...

It's also why this should be talked about more than ever and given we have a moderation team here that can see that happen charitably, it should be talked about.