Question for moderators

[srellim234]

Realizing that we generally keep religion out of the forum, are there some ground rules that can be set for the upcoming elections?

Maybe we can be proactive. I don't want to get into forbidden ground but it is going to be impossible to keep religion out of it with candidates like Michelle Bauchman making every decision and comment religious-based. Mitt Romney's religion should be off the record because he doesn't flaunt it. Herman Cain's proposed policy of religious discrimination has already been talked about here and will probably continue to be an issue to discuss until he's out of the picture, win or lose.

If nothing else, could you please be quick with warnings instead of immediate bans once we start down that road? Religion is going to be unavoidable this election cycle.

[mattblancarte]

I'm all for ground-rules, but...

Mitt Romney's religion should be off the record because he doesn't flaunt it.

No, sir. No way, no shape, no form.

I did notice that the "no religion topics" rule has been slimmed down quite a bit. Perhaps this is to ease the constriction on what can and can't be the subject of a thread.

Currently, I see no rules that bar this forum's participants from discussing a candidate's religious beliefs (or lack therof). That's how it should stay, in my opinion.

[AZhitman]

^ That.

We're not picking and choosing based on ANY of these bozos' campaigns.

The forum rules concerning the discussion of religion have an intent, and it's far removed from discussing a pol's position on religious matters.

Steve IS correct that it'll be an unavoidable topic, however... and that's unfortunate.

[Eikon]

A good rule of thumb when discussing a candidate's religion..

"Is there any way that the comment I'm making could offend another person on this forum who might read it?"

If your comment could be offensive in any way to another person (likely a person who shares a similar religious belief as the candidate).. then you need to figure out how to rephrase it.

Read your post a few times over and think about how someone else might interpret what you are trying to say... even if it wasn't your intent... If it might be interpreted incorrectly and as such, be offensive.. then find another way to say it.

If you can't post something that you feel is impossible to be offensive... then don't post it in public... PM the other party if you think it might be trouble to post in public.

Common sense usually prevails, but we have to hold ourselves to a higher standard than normal because politics and religion are such personal and highly charged topics.

Thanks gang!

[AZhitman]

...and, to piggyback of what Seth said:

Be advised that no one here has the magical right to NOT be offended. While it's our job to maintain an atmosphere of mutual (if grudging) respect and overall tolerance of others with different views, I also won't allow the forums to become so sanitized that we can't discuss issues as independently-thinking adults.

So, my advice to most is this: If you find yourself getting offended a lot (here and in life), then take a step back and examine what it is about you that causes you to have such strong reactions... We'll argue, but at the end of the day, I'm pretty sure everyone in this forum would sit down at the same table and share a meal and a laugh.

Lastly, if you like popping in here on occasion, I'd ask that you all help police the forum - it makes Seth's job so much easier.

Thanks!

[Eikon]

So is this "Good Cop / Bad Cop" or are you one of the patients in this asylum?

[AZhitman]

Depends on which side of the bed I get up on.

[IBCoupe]

And whose bed. I mean... what were we saying?

[HashiriyaS14]

The religion rule is not, AFAIK, to prevent people from getting offended.

I try to offend as many of you as possible, as often as possible.

The rule is to prevent factual discussion from degenerating into nonfactual discussion. People believe that higher or lower taxes (for example), are good because X, Y, and Z. The reasons might not be GOOD ones, but people have reasons. No one has reasons for religion, people just believe (generally, including myself). The rule is to prevent "I'm right because my god says so" sorts of arguments, because that stifles discussion.

Anyone/everyone is allowed to discuss how religious factors might play electorally, however. If people want to guess about how Romney's faith or Obama's faith or whatever might help/hurt them in the election, with intelligent reasons why, be my guest.