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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Or, one can do as I do, and not partake in discussions that bother me or have no interest in on a public forum such as politics and religion. Just my $0.02 CSM Jim Dula
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MSG Floyd Williams
SSG William Squires.... I concur, but it is too logical and someone may get offended by your solution which is a great common sense answer.
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PO2 Jonathan Scharff
MSG Floyd Williams...someone may get offended by us not partaking in a discussion? lol
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I suggest rather than censoring free speech, people exercise discretion. If they feel the religion issue will make them angry they avoid it. If they read it and get upset, they ignore it and move on. This is a damned social forum, not a classroom with a captive audience. Act like adults instead of children.
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SSG Leonard Johnson
exactly Bro...Just like this....u walking down the street, see a hip hop bar...Maybe u don't like hip hop....are u going to go in? or walk down to another bar?
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SGT (Join to see)
If you wish to ban discussions about religion then you should ban all topics every topic has two sides and some carry them all to far.Â
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I'd have to disagree with you there CSM. It isn't the topic that should be banned from discussion as that only creates a taboo around the idea. Instead individuals who can't talk about a subject (I widen my point not only to religion but all things) respectfully and objectfully... Or more to the point those that feel the need to only flame the fire with derogatory use of the subjects should be warned and eventually banned from use of this website.
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MSG Floyd Williams
SPC Oisin Crowley.... You're correct it is easier to just don't participate in the discussion.
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GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad
SPC (Join to see) - I agree, particularly with your point about individuals who can't talk about a subject in a professional manner. Unfortunately, even here on RP, we have some children who want nothing more than to start something or act like bullies. At the very least, I'd like to see some restriction put on people who continually start a thread (I am specifically thinking about a certain SSG I recently encountered) just so they can use it to berate or belittle those who join the conversation.
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I don't think we need to go this far. I think people can just ignore religious discussions if they don't want to be a part of it. Since the founding of this country, religion has played a large role in the development of the nation.
There are always strong opinions on each side and I think that is ok. It is healthy if done in a respectful manner.
There are always strong opinions on each side and I think that is ok. It is healthy if done in a respectful manner.
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CSM (Join to see)
Thank you for your comments LTC David S. Chang, ChFC®, CLU® . The intent of my original post was actually not to ban a topic but to get people to talk about the increasing problem of unprofessional behavior and what can be done about it.
One member had the following response which is what I was hoping my question would generate more of:
"Preventing everyone from discussing something because of a few how are immature and disrespectful is the wrong action. The ban should be on disrespectful people. If people make disrespectful comments then their comment should be removed and member warned then 3 warnings and you get banned from making posts for a minimum period of time."
One member had the following response which is what I was hoping my question would generate more of:
"Preventing everyone from discussing something because of a few how are immature and disrespectful is the wrong action. The ban should be on disrespectful people. If people make disrespectful comments then their comment should be removed and member warned then 3 warnings and you get banned from making posts for a minimum period of time."
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I think as long as it's kept respectful, then there's nothing wrong with discussing religion. People just need to learn how to accept the fact that not everyone agrees on faith and still respect each other.
Censorship of people who took an oath to defend freedom is an insult, personally. We just need to learn to respect each other as humans first and foremost.
Censorship of people who took an oath to defend freedom is an insult, personally. We just need to learn to respect each other as humans first and foremost.
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CSM (Join to see)
Great response SSG Cory Bacon . That is what I was hoping people would come to realize and start reporting the ones who are unprofessional, taunt, threaten or disrespect others. I don't want to really ban any topics, just the people who are toxic.
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It is just like this I found a rock in my back yard. I say it is a Diamond. You tell me it is a hunk of sand stone. It is my rock I found it and if I say it is MY DIAMOND it is my diamond period.
I do not say ban the religion discussions, I say ban the posters that want to chance my to theirs because I do not bow, make the sign of the cross meditate or bend one knee.
I do what I do and you do what you do. If I think your wrong I can say so without personal attacks, DO it once and leave it alone.
As my grandmother would say it all comes out in the wash.
I do not say ban the religion discussions, I say ban the posters that want to chance my to theirs because I do not bow, make the sign of the cross meditate or bend one knee.
I do what I do and you do what you do. If I think your wrong I can say so without personal attacks, DO it once and leave it alone.
As my grandmother would say it all comes out in the wash.
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I don't think topics should be banned. However as individuals if we can not control ourselves and remain professional I have no problem putting someone on notice and the restricting them if they can not "play nice".
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CSM (Join to see)
Thank you SFC Cindy Paris ! That is the exact response I was hoping to get on my question! I don't believe in banning any topic, but I do believe in banning individuals.
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Wanting to keep peace within Rally Point and asking that we not discuss religion is a request and not ordering it to be suspended. We are veterans here that are supposed to be mature enough to agree and disagree without getting too sensitive over remarks made by anyone. Let' not start with the Liberal tag, the Conservative Tag, and use it in an insulting manner. disagreement is healthy and we all learn from it. Let's be courteous and let's grow from the conversations.
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LTC John Wilson
I strongly disagree with banning any content that grows the mind and persuade individuals that have endured great sacrifice for out freedom and beliefs. Let's all just be respectful.
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From reading the CSMs other posts, I was a little surprised at this topic, but one needs to read through the lines. I have a feeling this is a way the CSM is using to make us stop and think about what we are posting. As I get the drift of it, we all need to watch our Ps and Qs and stay on the straight line, not pasting labels on people nor abusing them over the net.
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CSM (Join to see)
SGM Mikel Dawson , you once again are showing wisdom beyond your years and figured out my intent in that I wanted to get people talking about WHY I posted the topic. The reason, and only reason, is the level of professionalism is declining on RP with people ridiculing, harassing, and threatening others. People need to be more professional in their comments and all of us need to call them out whenever we see or read a comment or response that is unprofessional. I would also like to see the admins take action faster and kick those off of RP that cannot remain professional. I would never support or condone the exclusion of any topic.
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