Below is the agreement you "signed" when you registered. Please review it, especially the highlighted parts. The vast majority of people here are endeavoring to build a civil and close community of people who -- although they may disagree on some matters -- always each strive to "speak with passion and listen with respect." That is great. It should always be this way.
Of course, there may be some issues about which one is so emotional that one is unable to remain a respectful demeanor. This is the case for me, sometimes. At those times, I shut the heck up.
Sometimes that means I turn off the computer, sometimes it means I vacate that thread, and sometimes it means I give myself a time-out from Hatrack until I can once again be a civil participant. I find Word Mojo Gold to be a very useful time-out activity.
You are welcome to be creative in your own attempt to abide by the contract under which you registered.
I'm not going to point fingers. I don't think that would be helpful or necessary, and I would have to give myself a time-out if I said what I was thinking. However, I think reviewing the TOS is a useful and helpful thing for us all to do every so often. Thanks to all of those who view this reminder as an opportunity for self-reflection and improvement. To all of those who may find it annoying, I apologize. I also ask you to reread it, anyway.
If you agree to abide by our rules below, please press the Agree button, which will enable you to register on this message board. If you do not agree to these terms, press the Cancel button.
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[Bold and italics added. --CT]
Posts: 14017 | Registered: May 2000
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No, seriously, I read this and had to go over my last hundred or so posts making sure I'm not being offensive again... I've not been feeling well, and I tend to get grumpy. I hope I haven't hurt any feelings.
Posts: 21182 | Registered: Sep 2004
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posted
kq, no. But it doesn't matter. It really doesn't matter.
We should all be on our best behavior here, no? And if one feels one is not, then one can work on that. Surely nobody needs my approval or disapproval to engage in self-reflection. *grin
Look, I've been a real jerk here before. I was -- thankfully -- forgiven, and I benefitted from a time-out back then. I have an abiding belief in the civilizing effect of this place on those who participate. Perhaps the most civilized effect is that most of us who've been here awhile learn how to avoid participating in conversations when we would be making disrespectful, harrassing, and hateful remarks. That is different from disagreeing or even arguing civilly.
I'm going to stop here, because I cannot be more clear without saying names. And I don't want to do that, because I think it would be counter-productive. It also doesn't matter who I had in mind when I went back to review the TOS. When I did, it reminded me of my responsibilities to this community.
Time for my own time-out at this point, or I will say something I regret. But I'll mosey back in another time. Take care, all.
posted
I agree, provided that "religious beliefs" can be interpretted "religious beliefs or lack thereof," since there's just as much bashing and criticism of the non-religious as there is of any particular religious group here, if not more.
Posts: 4313 | Registered: Sep 2004
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posted
We have all..or at least most of us...had times where we went a little too far, or offended people without intending.
I have actually offended people on purpose, because I was sick of their crap, and tired of letting it continue. Not often, I hope, but it has happened.
I won't even say it is always wrong...but it should be a last resort, and to be honest usually we would be better off taking CT's advice.
As usual.
But we should try to remember that we are all here by choice, and this site is what we make of it.
For better or worse...although I am NOT waiting for Death to part us. Posts: 15082 | Registered: Jul 2001
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posted
Not having religious beliefs (as in believing in a soecific religion, or in any religion at all) doesn't preclude having beliefs on religion.
As long as those beliefs are expressed tactfully, and with respect towards others beliefs regarding the same topic, I can't see a problem.
Posts: 15082 | Registered: Jul 2001
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posted
kq, I read your post....and I'm sorry I had to laugh. You are one of the nicest posters I read on this forum. Me, on the other hand.....just hope I wasn't drinking. I have had some tonight, but not too much. Weddings are so much fun when they have an open bar. Posts: 2208 | Registered: Feb 2004
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posted
Interesting. From what I've seen, this forum is one of the best on the internet in regards to that sort of behavior.
Posts: 2437 | Registered: Apr 2005
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quote:Originally posted by ricree101: Interesting. From what I've seen, this forum is one of the best on the internet in regards to that sort of behavior.
I agree. I often find myself in other forums and notice the quality and behavior is nowhere near as good as it is here. And I'll close that site and log on to this one.
The agreement said no "sexually oriented" material. To what degree does that apply? I've noticed there is sexually related posts on this forum, are those breaking the rules? I'm sure scientific stuff is an exception.
posted
Bunn, you can always use the "report post" button, it looks like a whistle kind of thing, if you feel a post is to sexually oriented for you.
Posts: 11017 | Registered: Apr 2003
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quote:Originally posted by pooka: Bunn, you can always use the "report post" button, it looks like a whistle kind of thing, if you feel a post is to sexually oriented for you.
Oh, pooka, I didn't mean to imply I was offended by anything, I was just curious as to whether or not it would be breaking the rules, in the event that, say, I were interested in posting a scientific article on something that was sexually related.
Thanks for your concern, though. Posts: 326 | Registered: Aug 2004
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