Posted on Feb 14, 2015
I propose that RP ban all Questions/Discussions relating directly to RELIGION. What are your thoughts?
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Religious questions/discussions have/are causing problems in RP. Most responses/comments are respectful; however, some posts are not and members are personally attacking other members.
If this issue is not dealt with expeditiously, RP stands to lose a lot of good members. We have plenty of other topics - ban all religious topics.
Edit as of 6,976 views, 1,228 votes and 491 responses/comments:
My intent with this question was to engage RP members in a discussion concerning in what I believe to be an increasing trend of unprofessional and disrespectful comments. I wanted people to arrive at the conclusion that banning a topic was not the answer, but rather doing something about the individuals making the unprofessional and/or disrespectful comments. In addition to that, I was hoping many members would not only identify the problem being individuals, but also come up with suggestions about how to deal with those individuals.
It is more than having a thick skin - we all have a military background and know what it means to be professional and respectful - it is my opinion there is no room here for members to be threatened, taunted or belittled. We can discuss any topic, agree to disagree, and verbalize our opinion or point of view without having to go there.
I realize there are already ways to report members on RP. Getting additional ideas and suggestions for improvements can never hurt, and most importantly, if we would police our own, giving down votes on unprofessional/disrespectful comments, and calling these individuals out, we can hopefully get them to change their behavior or help RP admins identify the ones who might need to take a break or be banned.
Last and certainly no the least, I am a devoted Christian, and would never support a ban on any topic. I know my question said that, but go back and read why I did it that way.
If this issue is not dealt with expeditiously, RP stands to lose a lot of good members. We have plenty of other topics - ban all religious topics.
Edit as of 6,976 views, 1,228 votes and 491 responses/comments:
My intent with this question was to engage RP members in a discussion concerning in what I believe to be an increasing trend of unprofessional and disrespectful comments. I wanted people to arrive at the conclusion that banning a topic was not the answer, but rather doing something about the individuals making the unprofessional and/or disrespectful comments. In addition to that, I was hoping many members would not only identify the problem being individuals, but also come up with suggestions about how to deal with those individuals.
It is more than having a thick skin - we all have a military background and know what it means to be professional and respectful - it is my opinion there is no room here for members to be threatened, taunted or belittled. We can discuss any topic, agree to disagree, and verbalize our opinion or point of view without having to go there.
I realize there are already ways to report members on RP. Getting additional ideas and suggestions for improvements can never hurt, and most importantly, if we would police our own, giving down votes on unprofessional/disrespectful comments, and calling these individuals out, we can hopefully get them to change their behavior or help RP admins identify the ones who might need to take a break or be banned.
Last and certainly no the least, I am a devoted Christian, and would never support a ban on any topic. I know my question said that, but go back and read why I did it that way.
Posted in these groups: 
Religion
RallyPoint
Religion RallyPoint
Edited 11 y ago
Posted 11 y ago
Responses: 158
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I'd have to agree with this. Religion is a deeply personal item and should have no bearing on your job or your performance. If if does you should be in a different job.
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I agree. Religious discussion is likely to cause more trouble than benefits in this venue.
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It's not only "Religion"
AF SSgt John S mentions "censorship has never been, and never will be the answer".
Sorry to burst the RallyPoint so-called "First Amendment" bubble, there's not one.
Jim, one of many reason's I did not re-up a third time: hypocrites. The type that consistently "ask for input" then usurp credit or simply ignore it. E.g. I post a valid ISIS "Geneva - Hague" topic (straight out of University 4000 level Political Science texts),
only to have it removed.
I'm not under oath. I was consistently invited to join RP. I have read far worse topics, and many RP members appear more concerned with tot-board popularity, showing their vast, broad-range life knowledge at twenty or thirty something than learning anything of value.
The disrespect shown to "Intelligent" Retirees and Veterans is simply astounding.
I will be considering resignation. taking my offered FREE knowledge with me.
AF SSgt John S mentions "censorship has never been, and never will be the answer".
Sorry to burst the RallyPoint so-called "First Amendment" bubble, there's not one.
Jim, one of many reason's I did not re-up a third time: hypocrites. The type that consistently "ask for input" then usurp credit or simply ignore it. E.g. I post a valid ISIS "Geneva - Hague" topic (straight out of University 4000 level Political Science texts),
only to have it removed.
I'm not under oath. I was consistently invited to join RP. I have read far worse topics, and many RP members appear more concerned with tot-board popularity, showing their vast, broad-range life knowledge at twenty or thirty something than learning anything of value.
The disrespect shown to "Intelligent" Retirees and Veterans is simply astounding.
I will be considering resignation. taking my offered FREE knowledge with me.
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SGT (Join to see)
CSM Dula, I don't know how many times you have to explain your reasoning with your question, but I understand it completely. If anyone does or doesn't agree with your question, I think you have told them reasoning as much as possible. If they continue to express their feelings and don't understand your reasoning, it becomes their problem to deal with. How many times can you explain this? In my opinion it's bordering on grandstanding and being hardheaded in trying to get their point across. I'm sure I'll piss some folks off with what I write but I've pissed a lot of folks off and moved on to greener pasture. I'm not going to stifle what I think is happening so I don't hurt someone's feelings. We're all adults and should act accordingly. Being pissed off or hardheaded will not accomplish anything but more discussion that's not going anywhere so far. IMHO
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LTC John Wilson
CSM Dula,
quit apologizing to those that just can't understand your message. Be polite, but just move on with life! God bless America.
quit apologizing to those that just can't understand your message. Be polite, but just move on with life! God bless America.
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CSM (Join to see)
SGT (Join to see) and LTC John Wilson , I thought a lot of the people posting a response were reading the question and nothing else - that is the only reason I was answering some (not all) of them. I wasn't trying to grandstand I promise - I was just trying to gather interest in getting people to be professional and respectful. At this point I don't think it will change anyone from being the way they are and I am growing tired of trying. I will probably take you advise and just let the thread runs its course now.
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SGT (Join to see)
I sure didn't mean you were grandstanding. I was referring to the ones you had to keep explaining to why you asked the question and what you were trying to get across. I'm sorry you thought I was talking, writing, whatever, about you. I was not Sarge. Carry on! Out!
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Religion is a tough topic and it is emotional depending on the persons's beliefs. I agree we should suspend all discussions on religion that are not pertinent to military operations or deployments.
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LCpl Steve Wininger
Maybe that would work if this was a service member only forum, however, many of us veterans are not directly associated with military operations or deployments, and our train of thought is broader.
I tend to not say anything on a forum that I would bring up in a barracks discussion, or should we propose to censor that also sir?
I tend to not say anything on a forum that I would bring up in a barracks discussion, or should we propose to censor that also sir?
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I used to feel the same way, CSM. No more. I'm not religious. But I know which religion has declared war on America. I know which book says to kill! I know in which gods name, these bastards murder. We didn't start this war. I'd rather piss em off than relinquish all my beliefs to their censorship.
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I vote aye and not because I am not religious but there are many on here that are narrow minded and will not accept others' opinions.
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LCpl Steve Wininger
Is it because they will not accept another's opinion, or is it because others disagree?
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SGT Jim Z.
There are several that will not accept others opinions to disagree fro their beliefs. As I said I am not religious and my religious convictions are mine and mine alone. If I disagree and professionally make an argument toward a healthy debate fine. However, the majority of the posts I have seen on this site have not been healthy debates.
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CSM (Join to see) Sweeping the problem under the carpet and forgetting about it never solved the problem...
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LTC John Wilson
Very true, and it won't solve anything here. So let's get on with the discussion and learn something today!
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SFC (Join to see)
LTC John Wilson There is nothing new to learn. People just have to be willing to compromise and be empathetic to other people. After thousand of years, people still use religion to wage war and race to discriminate each other. Instead of being a humanist, they do everything against what their religions stand for.
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LCpl Charles Roseberry
Sir, again, with all due respect, this is not the military (The RP Site) Limiting Free Discussion of any topic (within reason) is counter productive. I have to respectfully disagree. While I do not usually take part in "religious" discussions per-sey, there are reasons in which the topic in relation to todays military objectives in certain areas of the world are very pertinent. Semper Fi.
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