Politics and religion are off-limits, unless you opt in

[thrawn_aj]

Originally Posted by tompe

But why can they not selectively choose not to read a thread? I do not get it why people would like to opt out.

Never said it was a rational thing to do - just that that's what people do. Go figure - I don't get it either. Actually, that's not true. I think I can see at least one reason (again, it's not really rational and I have been guilty of it myself) why one can't simply ignore a thread (especially if it has a provocative title). We've been taught to not simply stand aside and let "the big lie" go unchallenged because when it is, more people get fooled into believing it and it grows.

Simply put, this move by the mods lets those who feel this urge save themselves from turning what would otherwise be a pleasant hour spent talking about ebooks into a colossal waste of time. Think of it as an extra buffer for those who are easily suckered into what looks like an argument but is nothing of the sort and usually ends without catharsis. As someone who's fallen for this recently (ironically, not in a religio-political context ), I can sympathize.

[ShortNCuddlyAm]

Originally Posted by tompe

But why can they not selectively choose not to read a thread? I do not get it why people would like to opt out.

Because not everyone likes a debate, or can ignore something they disagree with or dislike. Some people think like this :

[kazbates]

Originally Posted by ShortNCuddlyAm

Because not everyone likes a debate, or can ignore something they disagree with or dislike. Some people think like this :

I love this cartoon!! My son gave me a copy one time when I was verbally venting about something I had read on-line and it resonated so strongly that I backed off posting my opposing viewpoint.

I do so hate it, though, when my kids put me in my place!

[tompe]

Originally Posted by ShortNCuddlyAm

Because not everyone likes a debate, or can ignore something they disagree with or dislike. Some people think like this :

Yes, but usually a subject line does not express an opinion that you can disagree with or dislike. It is still a bit strange to me that people need extra protection to open up a thread. If they can choose to join a group they should be able to choose not to open up a thread.

It is a pity that people that could contribute to a good discussion choose not to see the subject line sp they cannot choose to join a discussion they are interested in.

[WT Sharpe]

Originally Posted by ShortNCuddlyAm

...

Ha! That's ... well, actually, that's me more often than I'd care to admit!

[AprilHare]

Would discussing the Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear count as a political discussion?
After all, it was meant to be non-partisan..

[kindlekitten]

Originally Posted by AprilHare

Would discussing the Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear count as a political discussion?
After all, it was meant to be non-partisan..

sometimes the picking of nits is counter productive

[AprilHare]

Originally Posted by kindlekitten

sometimes the picking of nits is counter productive

Hey! I come here not to work!

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by Xanthe

One of the forums I'm on broke up the political discussions into two rooms, Red (conservative) and Blue (progressive/liberal).

For most people in the world, that sounds like the wrong way round. Red is traditionally associated with the left wing of politics (red flag = socialism), and blue with the right wing (most conservative parties use blue as their colour).

[kazbates]

Originally Posted by tompe

Yes, but usually a subject line does not express an opinion that you can disagree with or dislike. It is still a bit strange to me that people need extra protection to open up a thread. If they can choose to join a group they should be able to choose not to open up a thread.

It is a pity that people that could contribute to a good discussion choose not to see the subject line sp they cannot choose to join a discussion they are interested in.

I don't need to be protected, but I was a bit offended just by the title of the thread and the fact that someone felt that there needed to be a discussion on that topic. If someone had posted a similar thread and chose another religion, people would have screamed in protest. As it was, I kept out of the fray but monitored to see what was said. And as it turned out, the vitriol from both sides made my stomach turn. I don't see that as a type of environment most people here at MR are really very interested in spending time. Making a new sub-forum, as Alex and the mods have done, seems to me to be a good solution for all involved here at MR.

Originally Posted by AprilHare

Would discussing the Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear count as a political discussion?
After all, it was meant to be non-partisan..

That's how it was billed but that's not how it went down. It became very political in the end, I'm sorry to say. Say what you want about the Glenn Beck rally (and there is a lot that can be said) but at least it was billed as exactly what it was with a very clearly defined agenda.

But I guess all that is better left to the new sub-forum.

Originally Posted by HarryT

For most people in the world, that sounds like the wrong way round. Red is traditionally associated with the left wing of politics (red flag = socialism), and blue with the right wing (most conservative parties use blue as their colour).

Here in the States it is most definitely: Red - Conservative; Blue - Liberal.

I, for one, choose to see my self strongly in the Purple category!

[ShortNCuddlyAm]

Originally Posted by kazbates

I, for one, choose to see my self strongly in the Purple category!

In the UK, that would traditionally be yellow

Which is odd, given that yellow is also the colour associated with cowardice

(I'm purple (or yellow, but then I'd end up being a bruise...) myself, too )

[kazbates]

Originally Posted by ShortNCuddlyAm

In the UK, that would traditionally be yellow

Which is odd, given that yellow is also the colour associated with cowardice

(I'm purple (or yellow, but then I'd end up being a bruise...) myself, too )

Another oddity. . .purple and yellow are complimentary colors!

[ShortNCuddlyAm]

Originally Posted by kazbates

Another oddity. . .purple and yellow are complimentary colors!

True - I'd forgotten that!

[kazbates]

When you teach elementary school, stuff like that tends to pop up on a fairly regular basis!

[DaleDe]

Originally Posted by kazbates

Another oddity. . .purple and yellow are complimentary colors!

Aren't you a school teacher? Should be complementary. They don't say how good the other color is.