Politics and Religion

[matsumo itsu offline]

Does anyone like talking about either or are they both generally hated? Also would it be safe to say most people hate talking about them?

[knifey offline]

These discussions are usually avoided because of the big fat history this forum has when dealing with religious discussions. There have also been many political threads in this forum where religion became involved and used as the backbone for some arguments in said threads.

Obviously, both concepts have pros and cons. Personally, I'm not interested in either subjects, because I think that both subjects are redundant.

With politics, people start arguing over what needs to be done and both sides call each other liars, when <S>I feel that</s> it would be more productive if both sides just took a look at the results of trial and error, and work on what course of action would be successful. Of course, this is easier said than done.

With religion, the only message from the bible I recognize is to be kind to your fellow neighbor and help those in need. Again, I feel that such concepts are redundant, and I don't feel the need to read a 1000+ page book just to know that I shouldn't be a jerk to others.

[AmericanLyokoTeam offline]

Oooooh am I gonna need the popcorn for this thread if it dodges a lock.

I am a little interested in politics, but as an economic conservative and, usually, social liberal I don't have too many friends with shared views, and tend to tire of the discussion and drop out quickly.

I couldn't care less about religion. My online profiles jokingly refer to me as 'Militantly Agnostic' ("I don't know and neither do you!") Needless to say I just don't participate in those arguments.

What history of trouble did this forum have with these discussions btw? I'm kind of curious for the summary version.

[green offline]

I don't like to talk about them because 9 times out of 10 it just turns into an argument and that's pretty pointless because the chances of changing the other person's mind about any of it is almost nill.

It is generally more enjoyable (for me at least) if the subjects are avoided in casual conversation.

oh and, inb4 lock'd

[SilverPrince offline]

I love discussing politics, frankly. *shrug* After all, my plans are that if I'm not pretty enough to make it in broadcasting, I'll go into politics.

Religion, on the other hand, I tend to avoid. You can't discuss religion because the entire foundation of most religions is the tenet that you can't question the tenets of your religion. If someone does, some people get all HOW DARE YOU ASDLAKSJDALKSD. Not to mention, when it does turn into an argument- and it always will- many very religious people don't actually argue. They just quote the dogma of their religion. And that's just not conducive to a constructive argument.

[TheLQ offline]

I avoid all such discussions. Why? Because their pointless. 99% of the time nothing gets accomplished when arguing with someone because most people walk into a discussion with a closed mind, unable to think of alternatives. I voice my opinion in one sentence at the begging and then walk away. For example, as I was heading to english while everyone else was in the middle of a debate about net neutrality, I said "We should have a free and open internet". As soon as somebody opened their mouth to respond, I walked out the door. It was pretty funny apparently since I just walked out when he was halfway done with saying "but".

Its not worth it to me.

OBAMA IS NOT BAD! YOU REPUBLICANS HAD YOUR CHANCE. STOP WHINING! DEPRESSION -> CHANGE. IF YOU WANT TO KEEP THINGS THE WAY THEY ARE, WE WOULD BE IN AN ACTUAL DEPRESSION! AND STOP SAYING HE"S A COMMUNIST JUST BECAUSE YOU HAVE NO OTHER REASON AND HAVE TO RESORT TO PERSONAL ATTACKS! WORSHIP YOUR NAZI FLAG SOMEWHERE ELSE PLEASE.

*runs back to corner

CAPS LOCK

[jym1 offline]

I came to pretty much the same conclusion as LQ during the past few years, and browsing through a few forums.
When it comes to those two things, most people will not give in. So it's not really a debate, just a flame fest. I used to debate all the time with Noir and someguy (cl.com forum) but things cooled down, and even if good debates were to be posted I wouldn't have time to formulate and research an stance and counter argue. I lurk on animesuki which has a few very interesting debates/ discussions, which I try to follow... but I rarely post.
when it comes to the internet, it seems that 90% of the people are atheist or agnostic so when it comes to religious debates I usually come out looking old fashioned and close minded. It's in now to not believe in God. I've got too much on my mind as it is to go up against such an army when I know anyway that I will never convince them of God, and they will never convince me there isn't.

[Overcaffeinated Sloth offline]

I actually love talking about both religion and politics. Heck, where I come from, we do it for fun. I find that most people, however, don't have the maturity, patience, or even the capacity to understand more than one viewpoint at a time. It's as though they MUST have the right answer, and it MUST be the same for everyone else. In truth, there is no right answer. It's all just decision-making, and everyone has different ideas about it at different times.

But I will admit, after a while, it becomes tiring. It's no longer fun, and I do tend to drop the conversation.


And as for the lock, as long as the thread manages to stay on topic, people don't use this chance for bashing and/or flaming on other viewpoints, and everyone keeps chill about it, there's no reason to lock. It's the heat of summer, it's too hot for flame wars. Let's have water fights instead. I call the water-catapult.

I'm a moderator, not a firefighter, after all.