Politics and Religion

John F · 05-23-2023, 08:28 AM

Could we please have a firmer policy on Religion and Politics posts?

Something like "Absolutely no posts about Politics or Religion outside of the Politics and Religion forum."

For example, this was posted in a News section thread:

Quote:

... None of what you're saying about "what is" means I should invite even more bugging into my home. That's throwing up your hands and giving up. With the FBI now targeting traditional Catholics, anti-abortionists and parents who go to school board meetings (under domestic "terrorist" laws), how long before they start requesting audio (or transcripts) from customers who've bought traditional Catholic books or books on winning back your school district? Or books on anti-abortion activism? (As three examples.) And Amazon does routinely turn over this information to government entities.

https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sh...=353960&page=2

To me, this seems like it violates the guidelines, but apparently it doesn't?

DiapDealer · 05-23-2023, 11:14 AM

The problem is that it's not as cut and dried as all that. While that example certainly seems to run afoul of the current guidelines, there's all kinds of gray areas. Certainly someone should be able to mention that they're Christian, right? And we can't stop people from mentioning the names of politicians. Or that politics are a thing.

The best thing to do in these situations is for members to report posts that that they feel are overtly political or religious in nature. As they should do for any post they feel violates any guideline. That way the editors and moderators can discuss and take appropriate action. A couple of people commented in the above thread about it, but there were no official reports asking for action.

We don't ignore any reported posts (even if we ultimately decide no action is necessary).

I was participating in the above conversation. Hence my reluctance to "go all green" on it. But I'm sure the rest of my colleagues would have been willing to review the situation had it only been reported.

John F · 05-23-2023, 11:38 AM

Ok. I'll take the approach of better to seek forgiveness then ask permission.

DiapDealer · 05-23-2023, 11:49 AM

Keep in mind that when you report something, your part in that process is over. If we decide to do nothing, that doesn't give anyone who thought we should do, free rein to then post their own personal reprimands. For instance: reporting spam AND publicly addressing the spammer are considered bad form. In most cases, reporting/engaging should be considered an either/or proposition.

05-23-2023, 11:14 AM	#2
DiapDealer Grand Sorcerer Posts: 27,552 Karma: 193191846 Join Date: Jan 2010 Device: Nexus 7, Kindle Fire HD	The problem is that it's not as cut and dried as all that. While that example certainly seems to run afoul of the current guidelines, there's all kinds of gray areas. Certainly someone should be able to mention that they're Christian, right? And we can't stop people from mentioning the names of politicians. Or that politics are a thing. The best thing to do in these situations is for members to report posts that that they feel are overtly political or religious in nature. As they should do for any post they feel violates any guideline. That way the editors and moderators can discuss and take appropriate action. A couple of people commented in the above thread about it, but there were no official reports asking for action. We don't ignore any reported posts (even if we ultimately decide no action is necessary). I was participating in the above conversation. Hence my reluctance to "go all green" on it. But I'm sure the rest of my colleagues would have been willing to review the situation had it only been reported. Last edited by DiapDealer; 05-23-2023 at 11:18 AM.

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05-23-2023, 11:38 AM	#3
John F Grand Sorcerer Posts: 7,171 Karma: 63764653 Join Date: Feb 2009 Device: Kobo Glo HD	Ok. I'll take the approach of better to seek forgiveness then ask permission.

05-23-2023, 11:49 AM	#4
DiapDealer Grand Sorcerer Posts: 27,552 Karma: 193191846 Join Date: Jan 2010 Device: Nexus 7, Kindle Fire HD	Keep in mind that when you report something, your part in that process is over. If we decide to do nothing, that doesn't give anyone who thought we should do, free rein to then post their own personal reprimands. For instance: reporting spam AND publicly addressing the spammer are considered bad form. In most cases, reporting/engaging should be considered an either/or proposition.