Posted on Feb 14, 2015
I propose that RP ban all Questions/Discussions relating directly to RELIGION. What are your thoughts?
73.6K
700
379
35
17
18
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
2
1
1
SSG Wesley Buchan , I do not understand why you gave me a down vote. If you simply disagree, it is customary to simply post a response stating "I disagree" and then state why, if you wanted.
Also, when giving someone a down vote, it is customary to let them know why, which you haven't done, nearly a hour after the down vote.
You have the right to do what you want, but in my opinion, you are being unprofessional in your actions, and I respectfully ask you to consider your actions in the future.
Also, when giving someone a down vote, it is customary to let them know why, which you haven't done, nearly a hour after the down vote.
You have the right to do what you want, but in my opinion, you are being unprofessional in your actions, and I respectfully ask you to consider your actions in the future.
(2)
(1)
CSM (Join to see)
I could replace 'customary' with 'courteous'. I do hope courteousness would be customary, but not everyone has the same ideas of what it is to be courteous.
(2)
(0)
LTC John Wilson
We are getting ahead of ourselves and taking things much too personally . Agree to disagree and don't down vote anyone unless it is truly a strong decision due to the tactfulness of the remarks. This is for all of us to share ideas and grow together.
(3)
(0)
Maj (Join to see)
I think you can "down" vote anyone that you do not agree with. I don't need to "truly" have "a strong decision due to the tactfulness of the remarks" to click "down". Just as I do not need to have the same for a positive "click". Bottom line: If I agree I click "thumbs up" and if I do not then I click "thumbs down". If you don't like it then don't post because I have looked and haven't read any rules with regards to clicking "thumbs down" or "thumbs up" on any post. Please point me to any page rules that I have missed.
(0)
(0)
LTC John Wilson
I guess we will have to agree to disagree and professionally read on and comment to what we are reading. As long as respect is shown, there is no problem with an up or down vote.
(0)
(0)
1
1
0
So you want to ban all Questions/Discussions relating directly to RELIGION, on this site! A site for SMs active and retired. Boy I sure wish that was all it took to stop all the wars, that are fought, because of religion. It all started when Cain killed Able!
As I posted earlier religion and politics were not supposed to come up at family gatherings. When they did it was time for the Funk and Wagner's or the Bible to prove your point! No proof, time to shut-up, no using whole chapters just to fog everything up.
The few wars that didn't start with religion, started with politics, that my friends is why history keeps on repeating it's self
As I posted earlier religion and politics were not supposed to come up at family gatherings. When they did it was time for the Funk and Wagner's or the Bible to prove your point! No proof, time to shut-up, no using whole chapters just to fog everything up.
The few wars that didn't start with religion, started with politics, that my friends is why history keeps on repeating it's self
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
wow, I haven't even been into the topic for ten seconds and have read some heated discussions. I guess I erred when I said I agree with banning religious topics, because it makes me at odds with something I believe very strongly. Thomas Jefferson said, "I may not believe in what you say, but, I will support your right to say it 100%>" If you don't agree with the subject, be respectful enough to say I don't agree and move on. Same if you agree. We are adults and should be able to discuss anything on here that will effect our lives.
(1)
(0)
MSgt Billy McDonough
I agree with your comments sir but I think the quote was wrongly attributed...I think it was Voltaire and it was a paraphrase at that :) - 'I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it'
(0)
(0)
LTC John Wilson
I will have to look it up and verify your correction. Hell, I may have been quoting it wrong for more than fifty years. LOL
(0)
(0)
1
1
0
The problem if you ban all religious topics is that for many people religion permeates multiple other discussions that have a place on Rally Point like how does someone deal with certain events, etc. 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 bannned drom making posts for a minimum period of time.
(1)
(0)
CSM (Join to see)
Sir, I cannot address you individually as your name appears as "Servicemember", but I wanted to say I believe your idea is one of the best responses I've read. This is the type of discussion I was hoping to generate with my question. I wish I could give you more than 1 up vote. Again, thank you for your input, Sir.
(1)
(0)
CSM (Join to see)
Now that your name is appearing in your response CDR (Join to see) , I am assuming (I hate doing this) you are female, but I cannot tell for sure as there is no picture, so my apologies Ma'am for addressing you as Sir if you are indeed a female, and my apologies if my assumption is not correct.
(0)
(0)
1
1
0
I think the answer is voting down those who are obviously attacking others, trolling or the like. Enough vote downs and they should be gone. I don't really enjoy the religious debates on here myself, but doesn't mean others shouldn't have them. I'd rather loss a dozen members than other peoples choice to discuss religion as long as it is professional.
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
The only cure for stupid is death.....you will never get rid of those that for one reason or another cannot engage in a debate without turning the issue personal.....once that happens they go on the attack and lose all ability to keep it civil.....if you eliminate religious posts then you are removing a topic that many are looking for professional inputs on to deal with a situation.....hearing both sides is beneficial to all....do not ban any specific topics on RP as that is just a bandaid fix to stupid, it still remains when the bandaid is pulled.....
(1)
(0)
CSM (Join to see)
CMSgt (Join to see) thank you for your comments and the way you made them. 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. I doubt very seriously any topic will be banned, and I can only hope something will be done about correcting the unprofessional behavior, such as suspending or deleting those offenders.
One member had the following response which is what I was hoping for:
"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 for:
"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."
(0)
(0)
CMSgt (Join to see)
CSM Dula.....I'm tracking and agree unprofessional behavior needs to be addressed.....I like the idea of 3 strikes you're out.....it shouldn't even get to 3 on this site but some just don't learn......
(0)
(0)
1
1
0
Not an entirely poor suggestion. A creative solution to an ever prevalent problem within society. Not like it isn't done on other sites.
(1)
(0)
SSgt Lucas Dyer M.S.
Yes, however those other sites are most likely not a community full of current active duty, reserve, or veterans of military/combat. Here we take the harsh in stride, adapt to the butt hurt, and push on. If there is one thing that should be common across all branches of service, is we don't hide from, nor do we ban the taboo. If one doesn't like I worship an almighty God, than so be it. However I bet in combat we both fight for the same purpose, to stay alive and live another day.
(0)
(0)
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
0
0
0
So lets ban anything that is offensive to anybody CSM Dula. Homosexuality, Drinking, Adultery, Religion. Last I looked we were in a country that promoted free thinking, free will as long as it was not against the law of the land, not banned it because it bothered a few. If you do not like religious topics stay away from them. No disrespect CSM I dislike religion as well because it was man made, I would never force what I believe on anyone and respect what you believe. I am a Christian it is a relationship not a religion, I can only show you what I believe by the way I live. It is never ok to attack someone what so ever. We are all brother and sister in a common relationship of the country we have or presently serve
(0)
(0)
SPC Randy Stotler
Are you serious? I don't know about you, but the reason I served was to protect our freedoms, not ban them because some pansy can't hold his/her own in a civilized discussion! !
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
I agree with several other members in that censorship is not an option in the way ahead. What we need is to evaluate the root cause of why some feel the need to disrespect or personally attack other RP members. In my opinion the individuals that are disrespecting others are doing so out of ignorance and not having any self-respect. Many people that choose to chastize others are only doing so becuase they are lacking in their personal lives and making other people mad or attacking ones beliefs and getting a response makes them feel better about themselves. This is just my opinion...
(0)
(0)
SGM (Join to see)
1SG Eric Rice, I think I agree with you, but I'm not sure.
In my experience, people want to discuss what they believe, because they subconsciously are not sure if what they believe is the truth or not. If they can convince someone else, then it justifies their belief. Unfortunately such justification has a limited duration, which forces them to repeat the effort.
If this sound like an attack on religious people, it isn't. There are just as many atheists who act in the same manner. I recently has a thinly veiled argument with an Atheist-evangelist who liked to hide under the idea that he was correcting misconceptions. He did finally admit that, "Anything that cannot be proved is likely irrelevant." So his belief is in what he can prove, but because he can prove so very little, he is reduced to evangelizing his belief to support it.
I am generally opposed to evangelists of all types. If someone asks you a question, it is appropriate to answer. But it is disrespectful to tell someone that he needs to believe like you do for whatever reason or justification.
In my experience, people want to discuss what they believe, because they subconsciously are not sure if what they believe is the truth or not. If they can convince someone else, then it justifies their belief. Unfortunately such justification has a limited duration, which forces them to repeat the effort.
If this sound like an attack on religious people, it isn't. There are just as many atheists who act in the same manner. I recently has a thinly veiled argument with an Atheist-evangelist who liked to hide under the idea that he was correcting misconceptions. He did finally admit that, "Anything that cannot be proved is likely irrelevant." So his belief is in what he can prove, but because he can prove so very little, he is reduced to evangelizing his belief to support it.
I am generally opposed to evangelists of all types. If someone asks you a question, it is appropriate to answer. But it is disrespectful to tell someone that he needs to believe like you do for whatever reason or justification.
(0)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google