VN & Religion

[taiga]

I'm all for reasoned debate and equal scrutiny of different cultures, but the level to which it has reached on VN is ridiculous.

I can't logon to this forum without one of the top 10 recent posts including some sort of post based on some overseas event which doesn't descend into the blatant criticism and generalization directed at particular religions. I'm aware that VCEnotes has alot to offer to students, and there alot of issues which are worthwhile debating on here.

But in all honesty, what sort of image is it painting to new people on this site?

I've already had people coming on here noticing these topics and never coming back as that is the image they get of the site straight away.

In all honesty, if you want to argue such issues, I don't think VN should be the arena for doing so.

[Russ]

I would support a ban on any religious discussion beyond off the cuff comments or news articles (ie Pope legalises gay marriage)

But then again 18 year olds who've just finished high school generally have very strong opinions that they're absolutely convinced of

[ninwa]

I've already had people coming on here noticing these topics and never coming back as that is the image they get of the site straight away.

Why didn't they actually have a look at the VCE-related sections of the site? If they dismiss a learning resource so easily, perhaps they didn't really need it in the first place.

We have a rants/debate and news/politics forum for a reason. If people don't like it, keep away from them. Mods do their best to moderate posts according to the Code of Conduct. Any thread which descends into nothing but ad hominem and intolerance will be locked, and bans placed as relevant.

That said, I would be all for a policy of only allowing threads on religious and other contentious topics in the abovementioned forums, and having a "delete on sight" moderation policy for posts and threads which do not follow that rule.

[enwiabe]

I think the best idea that has been floated is a Religion board. And to start banning people for derailing topics in other forums into religious debate.

Yay? Nay?

[Russ]

I think the best idea that has been floated is a Religion board. And to start banning people for derailing topics in other forums into religious debate.

Yay? Nay?

If you make a Religion board and ban people for argumentative religious posts outside it, I'll love you forever

[chrisjb]

I think that as long as it stays in the watercooler section then it's fine, the 'blue' boards are free from all the heated debate which is fine. A problem with a 'religion board' is that it might have a 'sweet nothigns' effect and we could end up with it spreading to the rest of the site.

But a religion board would be fun... I'd vote for it.

edit: yeah, if you ban people for posting outside the religion board (with discression of course) then this could solve the problem of it spreading.

[enwiabe]

I think that as long as it stays in the watercooler section then it's fine, the 'blue' boards are free from all the heated debate which is fine. A problem with a 'religion board' is that it might have a 'sweet nothigns' effect and we could end up with it spreading to the rest of the site.

That is my concern. Is that it would open up a can of worms that none of us will enjoy.

[EvangelionZeta]

I don't really see the benefit of a "pure" religion subforum - it's like moving all of the toxic waste into one area where it will still rot like hell, rather than finding a way to actually dispose of it.

[Russ]

I still prefer the idea of a ban on religious discussion beyond the superficial, but a board with a well prescribed set of rules is plausible. If you want to prevent it spreading...mmm...make it very clear that religious arguments belong only there and set a higher bar for quality of posting. If you're going to make a new subforum, can you jig the SMF settings so that they don't display posts in the recent posts tracker?

[enwiabe]

I still prefer the idea of a ban on religious discussion beyond the superficial, but a board with a well prescribed set of rules is plausible. If you want to prevent it spreading...mmm...make it very clear that religious arguments belong only there and set a higher bar for quality of posting. If you're going to make a new subforum, can you jig the SMF settings so that they don't display posts in the recent posts tracker?

Yes I think you may be onto something re: discussion standard beyond the superficial e.g. "Noooo you don't understand" and "Stop making assumptions!!!" one liner posts etc. which contribute nothing other than "YOU'RE WRONG BECAUSE I SAID SO". Posts like that could be banned.

Re: Not having it count in recent posts... That was attempted with Sweet Nothings... and failed miserably. I will re-attempt it when I finish with "La Revolucion"

[pi]

I think the best idea that has been floated is a Religion board. And to start banning people for derailing topics in other forums into religious debate.

Yay? Nay?

If you make a Religion board and ban people for argumentative religious posts outside it, I'll love you forever

+1, maybe suspend and not ban though... Ban only after wrong-doing reoccurring.

[enwiabe]

I think the best idea that has been floated is a Religion board. And to start banning people for derailing topics in other forums into religious debate.

Yay? Nay?

If you make a Religion board and ban people for argumentative religious posts outside it, I'll love you forever

+1, maybe suspend and not ban though... Ban only after wrong-doing reoccurring.

A ban usually means 'temporary ban' That is, it *is* a suspension. Only assholes (trolls) get permanently banned.

Moderator action: removed real name, sorry for the inconvenience

[chrisjb]

what if you prescribed a minimun post count to post in the religion board (75 posts?) then you would be able to seperate out trolls beforehand and ensure that a reasonably high quality of posting is on the board... It could also shield new members to an extent from the board (although this could be considered a bad thing). Having a post minimum could also ensure that people get to know a little bit of vn culture, sensitive issues and general ettiquite before getting into big debates.

[burbs]

If you ban it, Chavi and yitzi will never post again.

[enwiabe]

what if you prescribed a minimun post count to post in the religion board (75 posts?) then you would be able to seperate out trolls beforehand and ensure that a reasonably high quality of posting is on the board... It could also shield new members to an extent from the board (although this could be considered a bad thing). Having a post minimum could also ensure that people get to know a little bit of vn culture, sensitive issues and general ettiquite before getting into big debates.

You're smart. I like it.