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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CSM Jim Dula - I have decided to steer clear of these discussions since you cannot convince someone to see religion differently than what they already believe. So I for one will just change the channel and not get caught up in a waste of time.
Thanks you for your service sir, I know you cannot get to be a CSM without being an outstanding soldier.
Thanks you for your service sir, I know you cannot get to be a CSM without being an outstanding soldier.
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CSM (Join to see)
Thanks Cpl Brett Wagner - and thank you for your service! To make CSM all you have to do is outlive/outlast all the others - last man standing, lol.
Edit: But please DON'T CALL ME SIR!
Edit: But please DON'T CALL ME SIR!
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Cpl Brett Wagner
Sorry CSM just a habit. When I was in my SgtMaj usually called WAGNER! No, I had a great relationship with my SgtMaj.
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If you don't want to participate, don't.
We SHOULD be talking about religion, and we SHOULD be talking about politics. Losing our ability to do so is a big reason why the nation has become so paranoid and polarized. We can no longer even listen to a dissenting opinion without waving the "I'm offended" flag, and demanding that whoever has a disagreement with us must immediately be stopped from speaking.
There are other countries where all opposition viewpoints are squelched. I'm not sure that's what we want here.
We SHOULD be talking about religion, and we SHOULD be talking about politics. Losing our ability to do so is a big reason why the nation has become so paranoid and polarized. We can no longer even listen to a dissenting opinion without waving the "I'm offended" flag, and demanding that whoever has a disagreement with us must immediately be stopped from speaking.
There are other countries where all opposition viewpoints are squelched. I'm not sure that's what we want here.
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CSM, I understand where you are coming from on this topic. And here is my response.. Looking at the amount of admins we have here on RP they cant possibly keep up with all the issues that are arising, In my honest opinion we need more moderators in the forum. From talking to a few of them it seems like they are running ragged. I know I for one am going to apply for the position once I get to the requirements to be one and see what happens but In my opinion there is alot of people here (no disrespect meant to anyone) that want to complain about what is going on but dont want to do anything to fix it
V/R
SrA Zachary Wolf
V/R
SrA Zachary Wolf
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CSM (Join to see)
SrA (Join to see) , you have the best response so far! You recognize the issue is not to ban a topic, but stop the hateful, threatening, ridiculing, taunting posts, keeping RP respectful where everyone can discuss anything. Most importantly, after identifying the issue/problem, you came up with a course of action that you can actually implement that will help fix the problem! I wish I could give you 100 up votes!
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SrA (Join to see)
Csm Jim Dula, I think we should all be wanting to strive to become admins within this great site. Whether we actually make it as an admin or not. But when we see a post as you are talking about most people just let the disrespectful posts continue why not say something to attempt to stop it. That is something everyone can do to solve the issue.
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I think the general consensus here is that banning religious topics is a terrible idea, especially on a site full of people who have defended the right to free speech. This does, however, bring up a very important topic that I think almost everyone in the world, especially victims of "cyber bullying", has seem to have forgotten. The internet gives us a very, very, important and useful ability, which allows us to IGNORE IT!!!! If you feel you are being "attacked" by another user on RP, you can simply move to a different discussion, or just stop reading what they post.
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SGT (Join to see)
I agree with that 100%. I yam what I yam and that's the end of my opinions on this subject.
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Although those discussions do generate the most down votes and heated posts, I think it would be a bad idea to ban them. If RallyPoint goes to topic-based areas for questions, instead of everything in one feed, it will be easy to avoid those discussions. Even now it's not that tough to avoid them. Just stay out. (Like I do when there's a lot of sniping and personal attacks going on)
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SSG Lloyd Becker BSBA-HCM, MBA
Using topic-based discussions certainly limit discourse on any social network, to include this one. If one wishes to go to topic-based discussion, people need to go to Associated Content, pick a subject and make your commentary.
We are Military personnel who should talk openly as possible with each other, because we all have something to learn. Religion is just another aspect of life and those who desire to bring it up in a forum, need to understand, you get out, what you put in.
I cannot believe that this discussion is still going, but it is. I do not know the real motives that CSM Jim Dula had when he posted this thread, but he received more than he bargained for. The only real question I have for CSM Dula is this. Are you wanting to ban all religious discussions, or ban religion totally? The CinC and the pressure he has placed on the military is working out fairly well. So, I am wondering what his motives are.
We are Military personnel who should talk openly as possible with each other, because we all have something to learn. Religion is just another aspect of life and those who desire to bring it up in a forum, need to understand, you get out, what you put in.
I cannot believe that this discussion is still going, but it is. I do not know the real motives that CSM Jim Dula had when he posted this thread, but he received more than he bargained for. The only real question I have for CSM Dula is this. Are you wanting to ban all religious discussions, or ban religion totally? The CinC and the pressure he has placed on the military is working out fairly well. So, I am wondering what his motives are.
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I don't agree with CSM (Join to see)'s proposal to ban all religious topics from RallyPoint.... but I see no need to engage in namecalling.
Also, political positions should not be used the same way racial slurs are, and if you do that, you're basically saying someone must think like you or they're a bad person. Reasonable people can disagree reasonably on how to do things. Demonizing political opponents...well...just don't do it when you're in my physical presence.... prison orange is not my color.
Also, political positions should not be used the same way racial slurs are, and if you do that, you're basically saying someone must think like you or they're a bad person. Reasonable people can disagree reasonably on how to do things. Demonizing political opponents...well...just don't do it when you're in my physical presence.... prison orange is not my color.
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Why do you hate free speech, CSM (Join to see)? *SARCASM* I don't post in threads that deal with religion or sexuality, as my views are definitely going to be controversial, and it will do nothing to promote the purpose of Rallypoint's existence.
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I am all for policies against proselytism in a private forum. However, policies preventing the discussion of religion would keep us from talking about both a freedom we are sworn to defend and the threat religious zealots pose to our Nation and our way of life.
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