A PLEA: Can we halt the surge of GD religious posts...

[DeepModem Mom]

that have nothing to do with the political power of the "Religious" Right? If believers cede moral and intellectual superiority to all the proud atheists on this board, will these posts stop? If the religious among us -- none of whom is allied with the Right, and none of whom excuses the horror that has been inflicted throughout history in the name of religion, or the possibility that conservative Christianity is in the process of destroying our democratic system as we've known it -- agree to keep quiet about it, except in the Religion and Theology Forum, will these posts stop flaming in General Discussion?

Sorry to all who post and enjoy these discussions here in GD -- I mean you no disrespect -- but I noticed today another outbreak of these religious posts, and just wanted to say that IMO they are divisive, and do DU no good.

[sarcasmo]

1. I agree they have no merit here, it's like I am reading my RW local paper.

[DeepModem Mom]

2. Thanks for the support, sarcasmo. nt

[MissB]

3. Some of them have been flamebait-ish

And I've alerted on those that I felt were just put out there for that reason.

At least one thread has seemed pretty reasonable. Just hit alert, I guess.

[RBHam]

4. Just don't respond to the posts.

It's a waste of valuable time.

We have REAL problems.

[DeepModem Mom]

5. I understand, R.B., but I care about DU as a place...

where work is done on those real problems, and I think some of these threads are not only offensive to some DUers, but off-putting to some who might visit DU, and perhaps join us.

[hfojvt]

6. we seem to enjoy it

at least it motivates people to post, although I do not know if the posting is constructive or destructive.
Someday it would be nice to have a pure discussion about "statement X" without people who think "x is true" having to attack, or dislike people who think "x is false", and vice versa.
People seem incapable of doing that many times when X is about religion, or politics.
Of course often it become a matter of "statement X" being the theory that "people who believe Y is true/false are stupid ignorant bigots". That becomes a difficult topic for many people who then feel like they are put on trial. I think the answer is to back up and just discuss Y without feeling the need to praise or disparage adherents or critics of Y.
Sort of like my "E poem" - Ecclesiaticals endeavor to explain or establish an excuse for egregriously eschewing or ebulliently espousing eschatological excesses.

[DeepModem Mom]

7. You make a valuable point, hfojvt. nt

[fujiyama]

8. I must agree

I'm atheist/agnostic, but I respect all those who keep their beliefs to themselves. As long as those with religious beliefs don't impose their values on me or others (like having creationism/"intellgent design") taught in class), then I respect their beliefs.

The religious right is the enemy. It's not the religious in general. After all, if we want to fight all those with religious beliefs, we're fighting some 85%+ of the population, and that's a battle that's not only not worth it - but counterproductive as well.

Many religious people are natural allies - especially those concerned about poverty and injustice commited. The religious left is an important part of the Dem base.

[DeepModem Mom]

10. And I agree, fujiyama -- thanks. nt

[KlatooBNikto]

9. Let us pray.

[DeepModem Mom]

11. LOL! Good one.

[Just Me]

12. They're divisive. I hate them. I join your plea.

I don't mind, at all, having a discussion about basic philosophical and moral questions. But, the religious threads are flame-baiting, divisive posts and I hate them.

[DeepModem Mom]

15. Thanks, Just Me. I just posted in a thread having to do with religion --

Texas Gov. Perry's signing a hateful bill in a church. This thread, IMO, is a very legitimate topic for DU, because it addresses a moral question with political implications, and a danger to the separation of church and state intended by the Founders. But, as you say, the flame-baiting and divisive, IMO, serve no purpose.

[Just Me]

21. It's focused upon a consitutional issue that impacts us all.

That's different from pushing personal religious belief into the path of a firing squad. I've learned to just avoid the damn things but do peruse occasionally only to find that they always devolve into attacks that are harmful to all.

[patdem]

13. Agree..if 9/11 threads get moved to Sept 11 forum why not religious

threads moved to a religious forum? Makes sense to me!

[dogday]

14. Holy Religious Post Batman!

We have had more religious post scenarios than I care to remember. Enough is Enough

[etherealtruth]

16. Thank you DMM ...

Proselytizing and boorish behavior can spring from any belief system. These posts OFTEN serve no purpose other than to insult or inflame those who do not share the same belief systems ...

I'll do as you ask DMM: to all those who have a different belief system than mine, I concede that you are morally superior, more intelligent and probably much more physically attractive than I ....

[DeepModem Mom]

17. LOL -- I like the "physically attractive" addition! nt

[CatWoman]

18. Bless you, my child

:D

:hi:

[DeepModem Mom]

19. Thank you!

:)

:hi:

[ProdigalJunkMail]

20. doubt that

besides, i enjoy it...like clockwork, once every couple of weeks, the anti-religion folks come out of the woodwork here...or at least they post on topic again...

theProdigal

[DeepModem Mom]

22. Hadn't noticed a pattern, PJM --

thanks.