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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That is a horrible idea. This country loves to just ban anything that causes problems from the public square. You don't fix problems by banning them you fix problems by talking about them. "Not talking about" hasn't work for race relations it didn't work for sexism and it won't work for religious belief either. I'm an atheist and sometimes get annoyed by constant references to god but I would never wanna ban the ability to be able to discuss it because idiots leave stupid comments
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CENSORSHIP! it is really easy, don't like the question or topic, don't click on it! I don't push my religion here but will comment on other post or questions that someone else has posted. I like this site, and if it banned that I WOULD LEAVE! Your opinion isn't the only opinion here SGM. it is the diversity of the page that I like and the comrades here. This is the reason I down voted.
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LTC John Wilson
Yeah, some people call it free will or choice. It is really simple. Freedom of Religion is a choice and only person that can make it is you.
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CSM (Join to see)
SGT Bryon Sergent Thanks you you leaving me a comment and not doing a drive by down vote like so many others - it speaks to your professionalism and it is appreciated. I respect your opinion.
My intent was not really to censor of ban religion even though that is the way I worded my question. My intent was for a spirited discussion (got that) in which people identified the problem being individuals and not the topic. Individuals who are threatening, taunting, disrespectful and unprofessional are the real problem, not the topic, and it is not limited to just religious topics, although it seems religious topics brings out the worst. Once people identified that it was individuals I was hoping to have people offer solutions - it's one thing to complain, but I was always taught if you identify a problem have a solution to offer.
RP has some things in place to help try to curb these people, but I was hoping to get buy in that would hopefully make some people think twice about their comments and keep them professional, and for the ones who can't/won't, have other RP members call them out on it. Most of the most unprofessional posts do not have any down votes or anyone calling them out on it. We all have a military background and know how to conduct ourselves and policing our own would be one of the best ways to stop the trend I was seeing of ever increasing unprofessional conduct.
My intent was not really to censor of ban religion even though that is the way I worded my question. My intent was for a spirited discussion (got that) in which people identified the problem being individuals and not the topic. Individuals who are threatening, taunting, disrespectful and unprofessional are the real problem, not the topic, and it is not limited to just religious topics, although it seems religious topics brings out the worst. Once people identified that it was individuals I was hoping to have people offer solutions - it's one thing to complain, but I was always taught if you identify a problem have a solution to offer.
RP has some things in place to help try to curb these people, but I was hoping to get buy in that would hopefully make some people think twice about their comments and keep them professional, and for the ones who can't/won't, have other RP members call them out on it. Most of the most unprofessional posts do not have any down votes or anyone calling them out on it. We all have a military background and know how to conduct ourselves and policing our own would be one of the best ways to stop the trend I was seeing of ever increasing unprofessional conduct.
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SGT Bryon Sergent
To that I agree. I have had a couple of spirited discussions on here that heated up very quickly. I never named called or anything else and neither did the other person. So to that I think that the commentator SHOULD be reported than to nay gate the discussions altogether. You being an E-9 and me being E-5 doesn't mean I have to like what you say, just that I have respect Who you are.
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So... let's ban all comments/discussions/questions about religion rather than deal with the tomfoolery that exists? No, thank you. I'd rather deal with intolerant people rather than be restricted on what I can say.
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These are the topics that are in the need of the most discussion. The biggest divide in our society and our military. If we don't discuss them then we will never mend this gap.
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We want to ban one of our basic freedoms? Why not simply ban the idiots that are making issues?
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CSM (Join to see)
Exactly Cpl Tony Ramaeker ! 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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SGT (Join to see)
My theory about this on going, and on going topic is
NO TROUBLE MAKERS ALLOWED... PERIOD!!!
NO TROUBLE MAKERS ALLOWED... PERIOD!!!
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If you ban religious discussion, you should also ban all discussion that could be controversial in nature... Politics... Sports... etc...
I have a different proposal... Avoid topics that make your blood boil... You'll live longer and you'll retain more hair.
I have a different proposal... Avoid topics that make your blood boil... You'll live longer and you'll retain more hair.
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I fully disagree with this. Putting a ban in place is not the answer; and leads to possible religious discrimination and freedom of speech problems.
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CSM (Join to see)
If we do that, why not ban all questions or discussions relating to anything of a controversial nature? In short, ban discussions on anything really worth discussing. I found people making unprofessional comments on the discussion of 2LTs saluting 1LTs?
IF members are making personal attacks, it is not the question that is the problem.
Banning any question is a bad road and against everything we have fought for, especially banning questions of religion.
If we do that, why not ban all questions or discussions relating to anything of a controversial nature? In short, ban discussions on anything really worth discussing. I found people making unprofessional comments on the discussion of 2LTs saluting 1LTs?
IF members are making personal attacks, it is not the question that is the problem.
Banning any question is a bad road and against everything we have fought for, especially banning questions of religion.
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Ok guys and gals. I think we have beat this horse to death. Let's move on to something else we ca complain about. LOL
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CSM (Join to see)
Can I get a big AMEN! or whatever you believe in that translates too move the fuck on.
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I am curious CSM (Join to see), would you include all religions too include beliefs that claim to be religious (cults) or just questions and discussions relating to the Christian religion? Then we would need to eliminate all discussion centered on Islam which happens to be a very hot item on RP the last several weeks. It would seem as though under your request the only “religions” that wins are the agnostics and atheist.
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CSM (Join to see)
SFC (Join to see) , I was trying to draw something a little less obvious out of the question. I was trying to draw attention to the comments of the individuals who go beyond disrespect and threaten, ridicule and belittle others. I don't care to ban any topic, but rather get rid of these individuals who are toxic for RP.
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SFC (Join to see)
It's been a long day here already CSM (Join to see), but I am with you 100% on keeping things professional here on RP. I do like a good discussion of different opinions but do not feel the need to get disrespectful, and if I have in the past I do apologize. But will never apologize for my beliefs.
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CSM (Join to see)
You're good on all counts with me SFC (Join to see) ! The T-patch stands tall with nothing to apologize for!
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