Well...

I guess another good thread bites the dust! CRAP, what's the use?!?!?!





<font color=blue>"Our doubts are traitors and make us lose the good we oft might win by fearing to attempt" --Shakespeare</font color=blue>

Huh? I think I missed something somewhere. {{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{Septembermorn}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

Yeah... I think you did. I guess religion, politics and the lack of morals in today's society were involved so it got nixed. Watch, they'll delete this one, too.





<font color=blue>"Our doubts are traitors and make us lose the good we oft might win by fearing to attempt" --Shakespeare</font color=blue>

I am lost too.

But, what ever is bottering you, what ever your feelings, what ever is making you not happy.... know that we care.

gab

What's going on, (((((((((((((((((((((Tomi))))))))))))))))))))))...??

XOXO, Jillers

<font color=blue>HI FROM PEANUT</font color=blue>

Nothing in my personal life, Hun. Sky and I had gotten into a very interesting debate around the subject of liars and dishonest people and the white wash that Political Correctness is. I posted the words to a song and the debate expanded. I didn't see anything wrong with it because no one was arguing or getting angry, but it got deleted. Like I said, it had to do with religion and politics so...

I get so tempted to start my own web site... again!!!





<font color=blue>"Our doubts are traitors and make us lose the good we oft might win by fearing to attempt" --Shakespeare</font color=blue>
<div class="foot">(Edited by SeptemberMorn on 07/22/04 04:41 PM.)</div>

Thanks, Gloria. I guess I'm just starved for intelligent, coherent conversation other than Mental Illness. I found an equal to converse with but it got taken personally.





<font color=blue>"Our doubts are traitors and make us lose the good we oft might win by fearing to attempt" --Shakespeare</font color=blue>

Just wanted to clarify something...

There were some things in that thread that were very upsetting to me. Not about religion, nor about politics, but about a combination of the two. Normally things that I would have said "well I just don't read that thread" but these were things that I find difficult to let slide because I strongly believe that they promote an attitude of misunderstanding that should be clarified. Things that may have seemed innocent to the current discussion but that I consider inaccurate and slanderous.

However I found myself torn because to post there I believe I would have started an argument. I felt that was the worse evil, so decided to hold my tongue even though it was very difficult for me. It is more important to me that people remain civil and able to support each other, even if that means restricting my speech sometimes.

I did not delete that thread... I would never do so for something that I am personally emotional about, it wouldn't be possible for me to be objective to make a decision like that. Obviously others felt that it was also crossing into hurtful territory and so the decision was made.

In general I don't think things are deleted merely because of mentioning a "restricted" topic... those subjects are flagged because they very often do lead to arguments. That doesn't mean they are deleted automatically, but when they seem to be leading to a debate the option is there. It is a very difficult decision to balance having an interesting discussion vs. stopping an argument before it results in hurt feelings.

I did not PM anyone because I didn't want to get into a debate about the issue even in private, both for personal reasons and out of respect for other peoples beliefs. If anyone wants to though they can PM me to talk about the problem that I had with the thread... that is, my objections as a member here, not as a moderator.

I am sorry that the deletion of that thread led to concern. I don't think it is healthy to have an atmosphere of "moderators vs. members" and I wanted to make it clear that the thread was not deleted simply because moderators have the power to do so.

In light of that I think it is healthy to question the decision... hopefully an explanation will help everyone get along better and avoid potential arguments and make it more clear the basis that decisions are made. I'd like to feel we all work together toward an understanding of what makes this place friendly.

------------------------------------
--http://www.idexter.com

Whatever! I'm done with it!




<font color=blue>"Our doubts are traitors and make us lose the good we oft might win by fearing to attempt" --Shakespeare</font color=blue>

Are you talking about the Julio Iglesias song?

gab

No, not at all gloria. I was enjoying that part of the thread.

I personally don't have any problem reading about religion and how people incorporate their spirituality into their lives... I like reading about that but for others that in itself can be a trigger to a debate. It is the idea of imposing one's personal beliefs on the rest of society, especially with regard to a political platform, that I find inappropriate... not inappropriate for discussion, just inappropriate for a place where people are sensitive and "keeping the peace" among all members, keeping things civil, is a very important consideration.

I hope I'm not annoying people by being vague about this. Don't second-guess your posts... it was the content of the conversation, not any individual post, that upset me.

------------------------------------
--http://www.idexter.com

I am sorry you are feeling down today about a post beind delted..

I truly am

<font color=purple>
take time to heal thyself before trying to help others, or you will never get better

Perhaps there should be a debate forum where people could decide to participate or not.

I understand what you are saying, Dave, but I am personally against deletion of posts without discussion merely because some people may be upset or unsettled by them.

Folks could simply choose not to read them, right?

Disagreement and/or 'spirited dialogue' is a part of life, and I don't think it's always healthy to keep the peace at all costs, although, again, I in no way doubt anyone's sincerety in trying to do so in the best interests of the group.

Regards to all, Peanut

<font color=blue>HI FROM PEANUT</font color=blue>

Here's the deal folks....

After many years of experience running communities like this one (since 1996, actually), I've learned a few things.

One thing is that some topics -- like those discussing religion and politics specifically -- tend to polarize people. People feel very strongly about such topics, and so the best way to deal with them is to ask people not to bring them up in threads (which is what we do in our community guidelines here).

Now that doesn't mean spirituality or religion or the like could never enter into a discussion. Of course it does, all the time. But when it becomes a potential melting point for others, that's the point where we often times will put a halt to the discussion. Sometimes we'll close a thread and leave it there with a short explanation of why it was closed, other times we'll remove it altogether.

Nobody has done anything wrong when this happens, and our removing or closing a thread isn't meant to suggest that a single person be called out for their actions or comments. Generally when we have a real issue with how a person is behaving, we privately PM them (as you should do anytime you have an issue with a person as well -- not post a public message asking them to PM you!).

Remember that first and foremost, this is a community for support, guidance, and encouragement above all else for mental health and relationship issues. Sometimes threads go off course and this is just our way of trying to be pro-active on ensuring more people's feelings don't get hurt inadvertantly. Sometimes we will err on the side of caution, and sometimes we'll make mistakes. We're all human here, and we're all just trying the best we can.

Please remember that. Moderators have also been reminded that if they do take action on a specific thread, to ensure they provide notice to that thread's author about why it was removed or closed.

Best,
DocJohn

I left a post for Sky to PM me because she usually has her PMs turned off. Since I can't post on our discussion, I thought it would be nice if she and I could continue it in private! I guess we can't do that either!




<font color=blue>"Our doubts are traitors and make us lose the good we oft might win by fearing to attempt" --Shakespeare</font color=blue>

Yeah, you are being vague. Too vague for me. I've got more questions now than I have answers. Would appreciate it if you'd clarify for me either in public or PM. Doesn't matter to me.





<font color=blue>"Our doubts are traitors and make us lose the good we oft might win by fearing to attempt" --Shakespeare</font color=blue>

just got your PM

gee it must have been my post about ppl who declare themselves in positions of authority and tell others what to do without having their own lives in order.

otherwise, everyone is being too vague cuz I can't remember what else was posted so there! You can't hurt my feelings cuz I can't recall.

but then, I didn't get a PM about a post I made so it wasn't me. That is what they said right?

OK I put the trigger sign out on this post just incase my posts in general are tickin someone off.

But everyone ought to go read the posts on Playing with matches on the INternet Traveler's Lounge and they are chewing someone absolutely apart regarding ethics and such talk about a topic!!!

<font color=blue> meditation is a true way to connect to the Source </font color=blue>

<div class="foot">(Edited by SkyBdark on 07/22/04 09:29 PM.)</div>

Hmm... I got a PM about the deletion, not about what I said. It was a nice PM, too, so there's no hard feelings there. I just don't understand, though. Some would say I don't need to understand. Whatever!




<font color=blue>"Our doubts are traitors and make us lose the good we oft might win by fearing to attempt" --Shakespeare</font color=blue>

gee now that's a topic we ARE allowed to discuss the inablity to understand of course, if it entails such details as to the whims of others, then we will never understand and it is pointless and moot

however if it is our own desire to understand our own desires then it is possible that at the very least we will understand a bit more than that we will never understand.

Understand?

<font color=blue> meditation is a true way to connect to the Source </font color=blue>

Dang, woman! Now you've really got me going in circles! LOL However, when the spinning slows down I catch glimpses...

The scary part is that I finally understand what it says!




<font color=blue>"Our doubts are traitors and make us lose the good we oft might win by fearing to attempt" --Shakespeare</font color=blue>