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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Well then let's ban all of the LBGT posts too. While we are at it, let's ban any posts on Islamic terrorists, or anything political in nature as well. Or we could just let people post what they want and if you don't like a post you don't have to read it because no one really makes you read any of them.
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MSG Floyd Williams
CPL Jeff Neely.... It is a good thing we don't have the capability to ban everything we don't like that means RP would never exist, Military Personnel and Veterans need a social media by us for us. We can draw knowledge, strength, and unity to move forward as one instead of separate Branches, we all on the same team with the same cause.
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I disagree. Allow open conversation, as long as it is related to the military/current events and people are mature about their comments. I do, however, concede that achieving this may be a pipe-dream, but in the end I am still against regulating people's thoughts and opinions on a forum where it is too easy to ignore certain discussions and threads.
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Part to being American and what I served for is keeping our freedoms free. This includes the freedom of speech. I do agree that we need to be more respectful and less attacking of each other, but also believe there are consequences for our words.
I say don't ban certain discussions or questions, just don't engage/follow those discussions threads.
I say don't ban certain discussions or questions, just don't engage/follow those discussions threads.
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COL Ted Mc
Sgt Zachary Johnson Sergeant; Many people believe that they have a Constitutional Right not to be offended.
I will not tell you my opinion of those people because I don't want to melt the phosphors of your monitor.
I will not tell you my opinion of those people because I don't want to melt the phosphors of your monitor.
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SGT (Join to see)
And our way is the correct way? Maybe, maybe not. Like Forrest Gump said , and "that's All I'm going to say about that".
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It all comes down to professionalism. I don’t believe an individual can claim to be a professional Soldier or Leader if they can’t appreciate all aspects of an idea. Especially considering the fact that not one person shares the same political, religious or idealistic view of the world. Polite disagreement which spurs insightful or meaningful conversation is essential to developing dynamic leaders. As such, no topic should ever be too taboo to discuss. If you shun it on an open forum, then you shun it in your formation. The point of order is the character displayed by someone who doesn’t know how to engage pleasantly – be it the topic on religion, gender, or sexual preference.
It is our job as NCOs, Leader and counselors to develop an understanding of our formations mentality. Doing so is essential to promoting professional behavior and tolerance.
It is our job as NCOs, Leader and counselors to develop an understanding of our formations mentality. Doing so is essential to promoting professional behavior and tolerance.
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CSM (Join to see) I would usually disagree with a statement like this for almost any other site, but I agree 100% this time. This site should be for professional development and mentoring. In a religious ideology war, no one is going to just drop their hands and agree with the other. It is just going to continue to fuel fights, and that is not what this should be about! Thanks
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CSM (Join to see)
SPC Christopher Shanahan if people would learn to be respectful and professional, we wouldn't have fights, just discussions. I have nothing against discussions and wouldn't really care what the topic was. I don't know if we can expect to have people who will remain professional and respectful - disappointing given we all have a military background.
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I say bring a topic to the table. Have supporting arguments and let the feed run its course. We will always have outliers on both sides, for and against. It is this very argument or discussion that teaches more rational students of life...to be more empathic, as well as more tolerant to others thoughts and opinions. Because in the end, all I have are my opinions. If we can talk about religion or politics, we don't belong in uniform or we need to
Learn to debate.
Learn to debate.
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CSM (Join to see)
SSG(P) (Join to see) I would add learn to be respectful and professional. This to me is the real problem, not topics.
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SSG(P) (Join to see)
I've seen the vitriol when topics with God are included....the other side of this equation does need to learn that we are all entitled to an opinion, even if you think God falls into the same category as your tooth fairy.
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CSM (Join to see)
Sometimes people's passion about religion gives them the right to be unprofessional and disrespectful when voicing their opinion, they think, or rather, they don't think about it.
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I would be one of those leaving if RP banned any type of Respectful discourse. The accent is heavy on Respectful. Again, we all, everyone of us, started our careers learning about discipline, regardless of branch. The anonymity of the internet allows some; to feel the need to speak without thinking prior to posting. If the post is disrespectful in language or hostility it should be censored by the administrator but if it is just an opposite view it should be allowed to remain. I find it would be difficult, in todays world, to not allow religious discourse on this website, as the current foe is Islamic Extremists and that being a religion where several millions would argue is peaceful. Would prevent conversation by veterans and current military members. My two cents. Peace.
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CSM (Join to see)
Great response 1SG Dave Arpin - exactly what I was hoping to get with my question! Unprofessional and/or disrespectful comments are the problem, not he topic.
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As with everything, everyone has opinions. That's what our service defended/defends. If you don't want to defend your thoughts/positions on any given subject, just don't participate in the conversation. Like the TV or radio or internet sites that you find distasteful - don't go there. There are lots of things people do or say that I don't like or care anything about, but me fuming and ranting or spewing foul comments isn't going to change them. If you started with religion, where would the ban end, homosexuality, weapons, women in the service, uniforms, which branch is the best, aircraft, etc.?
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I don't think we should ban the topic, I think maybe after a warning and if it continues ban the individual.
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CSM (Join to see)
That is the EXACT response I was hoping to get with my question! Thank you SFC (Join to see) !
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SGT (Join to see)
I totally agree with SSG Desiree Johnson. Get rid of the trouble makers and let them get their own forum. That would be one hell of a boring forum.
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No. I was a Protestant lay reader on board my ship and conducted church services in the Ward Room as well as numerous Bible Studies with my fellow Christians on board. I feel that was an important part of my service and if I should want to discuss that, or talk about memories of that time then I should be able to. I would say that if someone posts offensive stuff, just delete that content.
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