View Full Version : What does TBR want this forum to be?
hasbeen99
03-26-04, 02:57 PM
For the past two days, I've done little else but butt heads with Sly about moderating decisions, and I'm tired of it. But I've been operating under the assumption that everyone else wants the same things for this forum that I do, and now I realize that I may be way off.
So I'm asking you all -- what do you want out of this forum?
For the past two days, I've done little else but butt heads with Sly about moderating decisions, and I'm tired of it. But I've been operating under the assumption that everyone else wants the same things for this forum that I do, and now I realize that I may be way off.
So I'm asking you all -- what do you want out of this forum?
carry on my friend, excellent forum and you will never please them all.
For the past two days, I've done little else but butt heads with Sly about moderating decisions, and I'm tired of it. But I've been operating under the assumption that everyone else wants the same things for this forum that I do, and now I realize that I may be way off.
So I'm asking you all -- what do you want out of this forum?its sly. personally i think, until sly got all weird, this was a great place. I like what you had going on in here it was a very different feel from RnR at a good place and time. I dont really know why sly feels the need to screw up a forum over posts that are in threads created in other forums and older than dirt. personally I think sly has really messed this forum up in his own attempt to prove a point which really just comes off as self righteousness. JMHO
hasbeen99
03-26-04, 03:21 PM
For the record, I voted for option #2.
BigVito
03-26-04, 03:34 PM
For the record, I voted for option #2.Me too. Of course I almost voted for option 3 or 4 but I'd be banning myself then. Good thing I caught it in time. See, I'm smart. :D
vpkozel
03-26-04, 03:42 PM
All I ask is that everyone is treated equally. I hope everyone from lots of diverse religions participates, but I think that bouncing around saying that someone who does not agree with her point of view of lesser intellegence is crap. Disclaimer - I do not know if this post was made while that thread was in R&R or in here, but the poster certainly has not backed down from it.
I also think that anyone who wishes to discuss things in this forum needs to be open minded and willing to listen to other points of view - no matter what their beliefs are.
ezy ryder
03-26-04, 04:39 PM
hasbeen, you're doing a great job.
Sly and Miss tery are both smart people. Smart people like to insult others without it being obvious that they just insulted someone. So you're going to get a lot of shots taken at each other that fall into the gray area.
Sly is pissed that he is being censored, while Miss tery has gotten away with constantly being sarcastic and insulting.
I don't know which threads started in RnR, but look at these....
"Spain pissed off God" ~ the all powerful dude rocks
"The God Thread" ~ Is he rooting for the insurgents in Iraq
"We need to recruit other religions" ~to join this forum. Way too boring with only the Christian perspective
These are pretty obvious snipes at Christianity that is being allowed, while personal attacks are being treated differently. You aren't being even handed in your editing of threads, but I don't envy the position you're in.
Maybe you should only edit when someone asks you to do it instead of being hung with the decision yourself. Find a way to force the responsibility back on the people using this forum. That way you don't have to defend your decisions.
hasbeen99
03-26-04, 05:46 PM
I don't know which threads started in RnR, but look at these....
"Spain pissed off God" ~ the all powerful dude rocks
Her syntax there is condescending, I'll give you that. But from someone on the outside looking in with only stereotypes to go by, I think this brings a legitimate question. If God is in control, did He make this happen in Spain? That's why I let it stand. In retrospect, I probably should have asked her to rephrase the thread title.
"The God Thread" ~ Is he rooting for the insurgents in Iraq
How is this a shot at Christianity or Christians in general? A lot of Christians, including myself, have stated that Operation Iraqi Freedom is probably in line with God's will. If those carrying out that will are being blown up under God's watch, what does that mean to a non-religious person?
"We need to recruit other religions" ~to join this forum. Way too boring with only the Christian perspective
Tery didn't want this forum to be Christianity dominated and neither does Larry. She knows I'm a Christian, and most of the first posters were either Christian or Christian-friendly. Most of the first threads were related to Christianity.
"Boring" probably wasn't the best word-choice, and again in retrospect, I probably should have edited that part of her post. But for the record, I agreed with her then and now. To TBR's credit, we have had numerous posts from people like lj4three (Hinduism), Ecilam (Satanism), Honeygirl (Judaism), and even jbghostrat started a Koran thread, which I'm very much looking forward to getting deeper into once I can get a break from all this... distraction.
These are pretty obvious snipes at Christianity that is being allowed, while personal attacks are being treated differently. You aren't being even handed in your editing of threads, but I don't envy the position you're in.
I never said I would edit contrarian posts to belief systems, just personal attacks. If MT is guilty of anything in the past (and yes, even some in the present), it's being very condescending toward religion itself. That's not something I specified in my sticky thread, but once I figure out how to word it, I'll be remedying that oversight.
Maybe you should only edit when someone asks you to do it instead of being hung with the decision yourself. Find a way to force the responsibility back on the people using this forum. That way you don't have to defend your decisions.
That's an option, but I just don't see how that would work. It's been my observation that people on this board tend to prefer defending themselves rather than relying on a moderator to keep the peace. So I see two possible outcomes: 1) R & S deteriorates back into a free-for-all like R & R, or 2) I get my PM box filled every day with requests to delete posts and I get used by both parties as a weapon in a flame war I want no part of to begin with.
ezy ryder
03-26-04, 06:14 PM
The more and more I think about it, you should just stick to not allowing personal attacks. A little banter isn't a bad thing.
Most of us know you're a good mod, but I hate seeing that it's so much work for you.
slydevl
03-26-04, 06:23 PM
carry on my friend, excellent forum and you will never please them all.
sly....... :huh: ....thought you were educated
Screw you CFBall....obviously more than you
Hasbeens you posted after this so oviously you saw it and this is the entire reason for my anger. If this isn't sniping I don't know what is. Personally I think deleting a thread that contains the words "about ridiculous" is over the top. Personally i think you let Miss_Tery get away with more than you let others get away with. I also think deleting a thread that it is logically impossible for MT to be upset about is also over the top. Since you are incapable or unwilling to be fair, I say everything needs to go. JMO.
For the record, I voted for #2 but I don't see that happening currently.
vpkozel
03-26-04, 06:50 PM
I admit I am often sarcastic and condescending. It is not easy being an Athiest in a Christian society.
At the risk of having this post deleted - that is quite the double standard.
I act this way, but only because my behavior should be excused because I am in the minority.
I find that as rating pretty high on the BS scale.
hasbeen99
03-26-04, 07:00 PM
Screw you CFBall....obviously more than you
Hasbeens you posted after this so oviously you saw it and this is the entire reason for my anger. If this isn't sniping I don't know what is. Personally I think deleting a thread that contains the words "about ridiculous" is over the top. Personally i think you let Miss_Tery get away with more than you let others get away with. I also think deleting a thread that it is logically impossible for MT to be upset about is also over the top. Since you are incapable or unwilling to be fair, I say everything needs to go. JMO.
For the record, I voted for #2 but I don't see that happening currently.
Sly, the incident in your quote was a lapse of bad judgment on my part. Once I posted the poll, I thought about letting the controls go (on your request, I might add) until I got a feel for how the board wanted this thing to go, under the thinking that you might be right and I might be wrong.
After a few hours now, I see that so far most of the members like it civil and do not want a free-for-all like R & R, so I'll resume editing posts.
The first thing I did when I saw that the status quo was being favored 9 to 1 was delete CFBall's shot at you.
I sincerely apologize to you for this lapse of judgment, and it will not happen again.
slydevl
03-26-04, 07:03 PM
Is it too much to ask for someone to complain about something before it is deleted unless it is obviously meant to hurt or degrade someone? Unless you are going to be here 24/7 hasbeens people are going to see things that offend them before you can delete them anyway.
IMO if even one person finds a post offensive then it probably needs to go. Only way to be fair.
hasbeen99
03-26-04, 07:04 PM
I think you are doing a fine job in a difficult forum HB. I admit I am often sarcastic and condescending. It is not easy being an Athiest in a Christian society. I do think it is two different things to snipe at a religion versus sniping at a person. I may be mistaken, but I do not ever recall attacking anyone in the forum by name for their beliefs. I do admit to insulting posts that paint with a broad brush.
Tery, I just placed an addendum to the "No Sniping" policy to include sarcasm, condescention, and insulting statements toward both religious and non-religious beliefs as being unwelcome in this forum. Consider yourself warned.
hasbeen99
03-26-04, 07:09 PM
Is it too much to ask for someone to complain about something before it is deleted unless it is obviously meant to hurt or degrade someone? Unless you are going to be here 24/7 hasbeens people are going to see things that offend them before you can delete them anyway.
Its not too much too ask. IMO if even one person finds a post offensive then it probably needs to go. Only way to be fair.
Sly, someone else just asked me that about half an hour ago. I'll tell you what I told him -- I see only two possible outcomes for that:
1) R & S reverts back to a free-for-all like R & R, because people will take matters into their own hands rather than getting me involved. Or...
2) My PM box will be filled daily with demands for deleted posts, and I get used as a weapon by both sides of a flame war I don't want to happen in the first place.
I see no possible way any good can come from it.
I'm asking everyone to be civil and respectful so I don't have to police this thing 24/7. If it comes to that, I'll quit. So far, there are only a handful of people I'm having to watch. I wish there were none.
hasbeen99
03-26-04, 07:09 PM
At the risk of having this post deleted - that is quite the double standard.
I act this way, but only because my behavior should be excused because I am in the minority.
I find that as rating pretty high on the BS scale.
I agree. That's why I've done something about it.
I've always pictured this thread to be a place where people of any religion are free to speak thier mind in a respectful way, and post the occasional porn picture
hasbeen99
03-26-04, 07:41 PM
You win Sly. I'm gone.
This is precisely what I wanted to avoid. :mad:
vpkozel
03-26-04, 09:19 PM
This is precisely what I wanted to avoid. :mad:
Hasbeens - please do not lose heart. This will work itself out. You were unanimously recommended for this role because of your unique abilities and standing here and the unbelievably delicate nature of this mod's role.
This forum serves a very important role, and I think that most people want to come here to explore and continue to learn about their faith AND be exposed to new ideas and faiths.
You're a good man Charlie Brown.
Im sorry it's come to this but I believe it is best I no longer post my opinions in this forum. I'd like to thank you all for the pm's saying you appreciate my keen insight and amazing way with words. I hope you can still find your way without Playa, you're spiritual leader.
mathmajors
03-26-04, 10:28 PM
Hasbeens - please do not lose heart. This will work itself out. You were unanimously recommended for this role because of your unique abilities and standing here and the unbelievably delicate nature of this mod's role.
.
I think it was mostly about his knowledge and open-mindedness, not necessarily his ability to deal with disputes and such. He's learning, though.
I dont believe Southern Yankee's avatar of a half naked woman is appropriate for the Christianity forum
Hasbeen, consider this your Friendly Neighborhood Rebel Angel's vote of confidence. :xyzthumbs
It's a thankless job in arguably the most difficult forum to moderate. All the emotions that religion generates will be expressed...anger, confusion, joy, comfort and happiness. Tough to moderate emotions when diverse beliefs are discussed.
HB may prefer a different type of forum..." Ask Hasbeen "...you would have much more fun and comfort in that type of forum and probably much more appreciated.
hasbeen99
03-29-04, 03:41 PM
HB may prefer a different type of forum..." Ask Hasbeen "...you would have much more fun and comfort in that type of forum and probably much more appreciated.
Nah, I don't want it to be about me. Besides, if anyone should have an "ask" forum, it's gotta be Big Mark. :D
it has been my experience that forums have an ebb and a flow. you need to be able to take a longview with this project. think about where it will be in a month or two, not in a day or two. ride the waves, do not try to control them. when people push and make us unomfortable, it is temporary and probably not an overly awful thing. it stings a bit, but in the end, we learn something from it.
great forum.
i for one am appreciative that sly is so smart. he raises tough questions.
hasbeen99
03-29-04, 08:42 PM
i for one am appreciative that sly is so smart. he raises tough questions.
Agreed. Sly brings a lot to the table, which is why I want him to be a part of this. I'm pretty certain he's a lot more educated than I am.
You really have to play judge in here HB, there are gonna be times when it'll be tough to seperate pissed off from trolling. Obviously you can chose to eliminate both behaviors, but your discourse will become shallow as a result.
As far as larry's sly comment, I consider bible analysis as wanking of the highest order. The 101'st Airborne approach is perhaps the best. Bob Jones University perhaps has the best approach.
You really have to play judge in here HB
I agree...but how much time do you want to play the judge?...that's a full time job with little benefits...unless larry has restructured the pay scale.
Hasbeen seems to enjoy the debates..he keeps an open mind..loves to spread the "Word"...can't imagine he enjoys refereeing all that much, though.
Come tery put some life in that good thing and show sly what you're made of. You're sposed to be displaying entropy not atrophy
PantherMills
04-09-04, 09:00 PM
it has been my experience that forums have an ebb and a flow. you need to be able to take a longview with this project. think about where it will be in a month or two, not in a day or two. ride the waves, do not try to control them. when people push and make us unomfortable, it is temporary and probably not an overly awful thing. it stings a bit, but in the end, we learn something from it.
great forum.
i for one am appreciative that sly is so smart. he raises tough questions.
...as long as the threads don't veer too far from "Religion & Spirituality" and the debates therein, they should be able to run their course here. Lock a thread after warning(s) if you must, but deleting requires too much personal ideology.
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