It occurs to me that there is a Trinity of Irrelevancy here.

[MineralMan]

I really just pinned that down. If I were one who used all the features of DU, I could eliminate that Trinity in just moments. I'm not one such, though. So, I guess the question is whether the disruptive irrelevancies are enough to send me away, once again, from these endless discussions of religion.

I have a partially completed book, subtitled "A Concise Etiquette for the 21st Century," loaded in Microsoft Word. I could be working on it. If I did, I could have it on Amazon in just a couple of months. What do do? What to do, indeed?

'Tis a puzzlement, to be sure.

[wryter2000]

1. If you're looking for considerate, thoughtful discussion

Don't expect to find it here

[MineralMan]

2. Oh, I'm not necessarily looking for that.

It's more a matter of amusement than anything else. Finishing writing a contemporary etiquette book isn't all that amusing, but would probably be more productive. I end up writing almost constantly, either way, so it's not that.

There's a strange, almost disordered, fascination about this discussion area.

[Bretton Garcia]

3. A chapter on TRUMPIAN and Internet pseudo etiquette, ..

.. would be amusing.

In the meantime, .I take an nclusive,.permissive approach to discussions,.no matter how much I disagree with many positions.

As for Meta discussions? They can be less certain than many might think.

[Voltaire2]

4. The annoyance factor doesn't seem high enough.

Besides, there are so few defenders of the faith here that taking out three of them would bring the representation close to zero.

But it is an option. I use it for posters who pollute gd and lbn with large volumes of stuff I find annoying or irrelevant. I like to be able to scan the main page for stuff I should know.

[Pope George Ringo II]

6. If we're frank, reading those posts leaves their representation at less than zero.

There are some simply catastrophic integrity issues there, and I think they do their cause more harm than good. It's amusing for a while, but I honestly have no idea how some folks continue to beat a dead pinata.

It's a shame, because their bad faith (parse that as you will) really poisons the well.

[sprinkleeninow]

10. Goes both ways.

You wanna take me out?
Where, do tell.
Just so ya know, I 'm expensive.🤣

[guillaumeb]

5. Points for creativity.

As to the book, that would be one to read.

[Voltaire2]

7. failed, eh?

Oh well. Try again.

[guillaumeb]

8. No, I gave it points for creativity.

[MineralMan]

9. I'll let you know when it's available.

There is a chapter on internet etiquette. I'm currently working on that one.

[Major Nikon]

15. Meanwhile you can chalk that one up to proof of concept

[PJMcK]

11. Finish your book!

Hey, MineralMan!

As an incentive to finish your project, I promise to buy at least ten copies of your book and give them to people who really need what I think you have to say about etiquette in our era. There are a bunch of ......... who need to learn how to communicate.

I do find your participation in the Religion (Group) a bit curious since you and I are atheists. However, your posts are ALWAYS provocative, thoughtful and interesting.

I can't wait to read your book. Finish the damn thing!

[Mariana]

13. There's nothing weird about atheists discussing religion.

Gods may be imaginary, but the religions are most certainly real, and they have a profound effect on all of our lives.

I'd like to read MineralMan's book too, but I also enjoy reading his posts here!

[Major Nikon]

16. There's many well respected theologists and other biblical scholars who are atheists

One of the reasons for their success is because they have a built-in objectivity that believers lack.

[PJMcK]

12. On the other hand...

Are you pulling one of your infamous pranks?

[MineralMan]

14. Nope. No pranks.