Why did "Why so many Atheists" thread got deleted?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sigh.

NP here.

Looks like many people use the Report button like a thumbs down.
It is disturbing that on a free, open site, people would insist on the censoring of other's speech.

Absurd that topics are assumed to be limited to those with bona fides to be there....many DCUMers don't even live in DC yet they are allowed to engage in the discussion, mostly without criticism (though you are obvious by your unfamiliarity with things like traffic, high cost of living).

It is also preposterous to think you could keep forums closed to just those who are religious -- how would you screen for membership??

Lastly, the beauty of a forum is the contribution of a diverse assortment of views, like this country. Ignore the trolls and the johnny-one-notes and let your eyes focus on the substantive conversation. You might learn something.

Signed,

An atheist

PS -- the original meaning of proselytize hinges on conversion to a religion. Most atheists don't try to recruit people to be atheists.

Yes, discussion is a beautiful thing. Trolling everything you disagree with—see the atheist at 17:24—is not because it impedes discussion.

Why won’t you delete the forum, Jeff? As it stands, “Religion Forum” is false advertising. It’s a forum where children like 17:24 can get their sorry rocks off by trolling and even use their own bigotry to justify it to themselves.

I am 17:24-

I am not an atheist

I am not a troll

Why my post at 17:24 was not trolling- I was providing examples of threads which seemed to attract conflict and my position is that the OPs of those threads really were not looking for a substantive discussion to begin with. That is not trolling.

Not everyone who disagrees with you or your point of view is a "troll" that needs to be silenced.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OK guys, I guess the only recourse is to report every instance of atheist trolling. Probably multiple times if we all do it. For example, I just reported a pair of rolling eyeballs on the “I love God” thread.

It’s only fair that bad posts from religous people get reported too. Although there seem many fewer of those.

Either the moderator will get sick of the trouble and delete the forum, or the forum will be cleaned up. Win-win.

You are being ridiculous.

[Anonymous]

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why won’t you hide it from Recent Topics?

I don't think that is good for either the forum or for DCUM as a whole. First of all, we don't even know how the majority of the forum's posters feel on the topic. We have gone around and around with this request from posters in the Kids with Special Needs forum. Many posters argue that forum should be removed from Recent Topics and many argue that it shouldn't. Both of these forums are relatively low traffic and I am pessimistic that they would survive for very long if they were removed from Recent Topics. Removing threads is not a simple process and requires modifying configuration files by hand and then restarting multiple servers in the cluster. I just don't want to do that willy nilly.

If the only way the Religion forum survives is from traffic from Hot Topics, often randos looking for fights as some here have admitted, it doesn’t deserve to exist.

[Anonymous]

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why won’t you hide it from Recent Topics?

I don't think that is good for either the forum or for DCUM as a whole. First of all, we don't even know how the majority of the forum's posters feel on the topic. We have gone around and around with this request from posters in the Kids with Special Needs forum. Many posters argue that forum should be removed from Recent Topics and many argue that it shouldn't. Both of these forums are relatively low traffic and I am pessimistic that they would survive for very long if they were removed from Recent Topics. Removing threads is not a simple process and requires modifying configuration files by hand and then restarting multiple servers in the cluster. I just don't want to do that willy nilly.

Ok. I do think it’s worth a try.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, is there a reason why you don't seek out websites and forums that cater to your specific ideology? Where you know you're not going to be easily annoyed/bothered/offended by criticism or challenges to your specific belief system?

No response, OP?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why won’t you hide it from Recent Topics?

I don't think that is good for either the forum or for DCUM as a whole. First of all, we don't even know how the majority of the forum's posters feel on the topic. We have gone around and around with this request from posters in the Kids with Special Needs forum. Many posters argue that forum should be removed from Recent Topics and many argue that it shouldn't. Both of these forums are relatively low traffic and I am pessimistic that they would survive for very long if they were removed from Recent Topics. Removing threads is not a simple process and requires modifying configuration files by hand and then restarting multiple servers in the cluster. I just don't want to do that willy nilly.

If the only way the Religion forum survives is from traffic from Hot Topics, often randos looking for fights as some here have admitted, it doesn’t deserve to exist.

Uh, why don't you let the owner of the website make those executive decisions?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OK guys, I guess the only recourse is to report every instance of atheist trolling. Probably multiple times if we all do it. For example, I just reported a pair of rolling eyeballs on the “I love God” thread.

It’s only fair that bad posts from religous people get reported too. Although there seem many fewer of those.

Either the moderator will get sick of the trouble and delete the forum, or the forum will be cleaned up. Win-win.

And you even created a special thread to tell us this.

It's really time to channel your energies elsewhere, PP.

[Anonymous]

My DCUM claim to fame is suggesting to Jeff however many years ago that he add the Religion forum. (Any way you can tell me how long since it's been since you added, Jeff? I started reading DCUM a few months before that and I've lost track of when that was.)

He can't take it away because then I'll have nothing meaningful in my life anymore.

[Anonymous]

OP here - some of you are funny by suggesting that I am the only one who has complained about atheist derailment. I am not. There are multiple posters replying on this thread and making suggestions as there were many on my original thread. Many (gasp) of us feel that this issue is pertinent to the Religion forum. Let me clarify some things:

1. The question of atheist derailment is not the question of my personal "ideology". I have none, I have repeatedly stated that I have no interest in politics but have interest in questions of faith from a practitioner's perspective. I was simply the first to raise the issue of the Religion forum being hogged down with "why am I an atheist" on every single thread.
Example: while this discussion was going on last night there was an atheist on "Why I love God" thread telling us why she is an atheist, how she became an atheist and asking us to convert her back to faith. I asked Jeff to remove it because obviously, for the millionth time, that was not related to the topic.

2. I made initial suggestions on splitting forums into Atheism and Belief, simply because Belief implies that you believe and you want to discuss issues with other believers of your own and other faiths from a stand point of an adherent and a practitioner of a faith. This suggestion was rejected. If the moderator wants to keep the Religion forum that's fine with me but as time passes my bet is that there will be less and less practitioners of ANY faith on the forum and there will be overwhelmingly only atheists and cafeteria-insert religion people left. We haven't had a practicing Muslim, Hindu, Mormon, Taoist, or an observant Jew (all of these faiths are my friends in real life and they have a lot to add to belief discourse) on the forum in a very long time, simply because they cannot engage in the discussion based on their religious practice. Driving away all religious people will result in a conversation not really related to faith but one that is mostly centered around political and ideological musings about religions by unbelievers.

3. I do understand that some atheists need help in from of different viewpoint from believers if they are on fence about their unbelief vs. belief. Instead of hogging other threads they should start threads about specific issues they have with faith. One of them was kind enough to start a thread about becoming an atheist late in life. So, in short, it's ok if you start your own threads but please refrain from derailing other threads, which as someone nicely put it is a form of proselytizing your unbelief to believers. Also, do not start threads that mock, belittle, ridicule or otherwise undermine belief.

4. I understand from Jeff that removing Religion topics from Recent topics is technically difficult. I was initially ambivalent about removal but then thought it was a good idea simply because things like love for God or discussions about Satan as a real person are triggering to some atheists (and cafeteria - insert religion) because they feel those topics are ridiculous. While they have no particular interest to add value to those topics they are, upon seeing these titles in Recent topics, tempted (by the devil himself) to chime in, usually in a mocking and belittling way. So, if Religion topics will remain in Recent topics, I would like to ask atheist to refrain from commenting on those topics no matter how much you are temped to provide your two cents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here - some of you are funny by suggesting that I am the only one who has complained about atheist derailment. I am not. There are multiple posters replying on this thread and making suggestions as there were many on my original thread. Many (gasp) of us feel that this issue is pertinent to the Religion forum. Let me clarify some things:

1. The question of atheist derailment is not the question of my personal "ideology". I have none, I have repeatedly stated that I have no interest in politics but have interest in questions of faith from a practitioner's perspective. I was simply the first to raise the issue of the Religion forum being hogged down with "why am I an atheist" on every single thread.
Example: while this discussion was going on last night there was an atheist on "Why I love God" thread telling us why she is an atheist, how she became an atheist and asking us to convert her back to faith. I asked Jeff to remove it because obviously, for the millionth time, that was not related to the topic.

2. I made initial suggestions on splitting forums into Atheism and Belief, simply because Belief implies that you believe and you want to discuss issues with other believers of your own and other faiths from a stand point of an adherent and a practitioner of a faith. This suggestion was rejected. If the moderator wants to keep the Religion forum that's fine with me but as time passes my bet is that there will be less and less practitioners of ANY faith on the forum and there will be overwhelmingly only atheists and cafeteria-insert religion people left. We haven't had a practicing Muslim, Hindu, Mormon, Taoist, or an observant Jew (all of these faiths are my friends in real life and they have a lot to add to belief discourse) on the forum in a very long time, simply because they cannot engage in the discussion based on their religious practice. Driving away all religious people will result in a conversation not really related to faith but one that is mostly centered around political and ideological musings about religions by unbelievers.

3. I do understand that some atheists need help in from of different viewpoint from believers if they are on fence about their unbelief vs. belief. Instead of hogging other threads they should start threads about specific issues they have with faith. One of them was kind enough to start a thread about becoming an atheist late in life. So, in short, it's ok if you start your own threads but please refrain from derailing other threads, which as someone nicely put it is a form of proselytizing your unbelief to believers. Also, do not start threads that mock, belittle, ridicule or otherwise undermine belief.

4. I understand from Jeff that removing Religion topics from Recent topics is technically difficult. I was initially ambivalent about removal but then thought it was a good idea simply because things like love for God or discussions about Satan as a real person are triggering to some atheists (and cafeteria - insert religion) because they feel those topics are ridiculous. While they have no particular interest to add value to those topics they are, upon seeing these titles in Recent topics, tempted (by the devil himself) to chime in, usually in a mocking and belittling way. So, if Religion topics will remain in Recent topics, I would like to ask atheist to refrain from commenting on those topics no matter how much you are temped to provide your two cents.

[Anonymous]

OP, you have an over inflated sense of entitlement with regards to the Religion forum. Not to mention some deeply stubborn and incorrect assumptions about atheists.

You should check out the forms on the site “beliefnet.” That seems a place more likely to fill the void. Or find (or start!) a Facebook group called “No Atheists Allowed.”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here - some of you are funny by suggesting that I am the only one who has complained about atheist derailment. I am not. There are multiple posters replying on this thread and making suggestions as there were many on my original thread. Many (gasp) of us feel that this issue is pertinent to the Religion forum. Let me clarify some things:

1. The question of atheist derailment is not the question of my personal "ideology". I have none, I have repeatedly stated that I have no interest in politics but have interest in questions of faith from a practitioner's perspective. I was simply the first to raise the issue of the Religion forum being hogged down with "why am I an atheist" on every single thread.
Example: while this discussion was going on last night there was an atheist on "Why I love God" thread telling us why she is an atheist, how she became an atheist and asking us to convert her back to faith. I asked Jeff to remove it because obviously, for the millionth time, that was not related to the topic.

2. I made initial suggestions on splitting forums into Atheism and Belief, simply because Belief implies that you believe and you want to discuss issues with other believers of your own and other faiths from a stand point of an adherent and a practitioner of a faith. This suggestion was rejected. If the moderator wants to keep the Religion forum that's fine with me but as time passes my bet is that there will be less and less practitioners of ANY faith on the forum and there will be overwhelmingly only atheists and cafeteria-insert religion people left. We haven't had a practicing Muslim, Hindu, Mormon, Taoist, or an observant Jew (all of these faiths are my friends in real life and they have a lot to add to belief discourse) on the forum in a very long time, simply because they cannot engage in the discussion based on their religious practice. Driving away all religious people will result in a conversation not really related to faith but one that is mostly centered around political and ideological musings about religions by unbelievers.

3. I do understand that some atheists need help in from of different viewpoint from believers if they are on fence about their unbelief vs. belief. Instead of hogging other threads they should start threads about specific issues they have with faith. One of them was kind enough to start a thread about becoming an atheist late in life. So, in short, it's ok if you start your own threads but please refrain from derailing other threads, which as someone nicely put it is a form of proselytizing your unbelief to believers. Also, do not start threads that mock, belittle, ridicule or otherwise undermine belief.

4. I understand from Jeff that removing Religion topics from Recent topics is technically difficult. I was initially ambivalent about removal but then thought it was a good idea simply because things like love for God or discussions about Satan as a real person are triggering to some atheists (and cafeteria - insert religion) because they feel those topics are ridiculous. While they have no particular interest to add value to those topics they are, upon seeing these titles in Recent topics, tempted (by the devil himself) to chime in, usually in a mocking and belittling way. So, if Religion topics will remain in Recent topics, I would like to ask atheist to refrain from commenting on those topics no matter how much you are temped to provide your two cents.

+1

I’m going to chime in whenever I like. I tried to ignore in the past but no longer....

[Anonymous]

Religionists just can't stand not getting the respect they think they deserve. OP doesn't even want to deign to flag comments he doesn't like! He thinks the world should just conform to his own sense of righteousness.