IconBuffet | Blog Forum | Religion and Politics on IB

Religion and Politics on IB

I have met some on IB that do not think the IconBuffet forum should open to discuss "religion or politics". As a member of IconBuffet, do you think religion and/or politics should be discussed on the blog forum?
PS: Even though IB forum is a open forum, I agree that nothing hateful or profane should be said on the forum. It is my belief that religion and/or politics can be discussed without either.

Posted by JTornado on Jan 08, 2008 in Blab | 42 comments

sgitheanaich on Jan 08, 2008

If everyone involved can do two things - 1. be sensitive to the culture of your venue and 2. commit to mutually respecting opinions however strongly you disagree - then anyone can talk about anything, almost anywhere.

In other words, no.

JBVisions on Jan 08, 2008

No, this is not a general discussion site, it's about icons. If people want to discuss contentious issues there are plenty of other places out there to do so.

I have yet to find a political/religious discussion where the trolls don't worm their way in. There are always people who see a community happily getting on and decide to stir up trouble for a laugh.

Why would you even want to discuss politics or religion on here?

JBVisions on Jan 08, 2008

Ahh, forget that question, I just read your profile.

Sorry but I come on here for icons and some relaxed chat with people who also come on here for icons.

jameshilton on Jan 08, 2008

Here Here, i agree with those comments. If you want to talk about something other than icons or other web matters then go to a forum site set up for that purpose. You wouldnt go to a religious or political site and try to start a discussion about web issues, would you?!

sloan on Jan 08, 2008

Wait we are talking about religious and political icons right. Does not sound like icons I am interested though.

In other words it's a no for me also,I too come here to enjoy myself

MrDee on Jan 08, 2008

There is a world outside the US of A.
This is an international site - outside the US most do not care about Hillary/Obama etc.

SO... IMHO
1) At least keep it off swap meet
2) consider going elsewhere to post political comments.

nickpixel on Jan 08, 2008

As a member of IconBuffet, do you think religion and/or politics should be discussed on the blog forum?

"Should" is a tricky word. As long as the chefs don't mind, why not? The people that don't want to discuss it won't and the people who do, will. I've been involved in some very lengthy political discussions here on IB that were filled with many different opinions and they have all remained quite civil (some with 200 comments). I've never started any of the threads myself (not the reason I signed up for IB) but I've participated in about a half dozen. To be honest, the most argumentitive threads I've seen on IB relate to code (as in web/software development) and box snipers. Emotions cause flame wars, topics don't. It just so happens that politics and religion are two topics that many people have trouble discussing in a non-emotional way.

IMO, I see nothing wrong with it unless the chefs do (it's their property) and I have yet to see them shut down a political thread. Whenever I see a post on IB that, for whatever reason, I don't like (there are plenty), I just let it slowly drift out of site.

Wouldn't it be funny if, tomorrow, I go to post a blog and the 3rd option in the menu is changed to "Blab (for everything else except politics and religion)". ;)

jameshilton on Jan 08, 2008

who are Hillary/Obama etc? only joking! ;¬)

iqon on Jan 08, 2008

Understanding the concept of computer icons can lead to enlightenment about religious icons from centuries past (and the brilliance of the icon designers in a non-literate population). But the whole point of this site is graphical icons in a digital format. Preach politics or campaign for your religion it matters not to true iconholics of IB. The topics are not banned so obviously some people will engage in such banter but in reality has anyone visiting a computer icon site been swayed to change political views or religious beliefs by a blog? The existence of a Creator is binary - (true or false). No matter how many believers have faith they can not create a non-existent Creator. Likewise no matter how many believe a Creator is a myth it doesn't make a real Creator disappear. So argue, evangelize, rant, and rave it won't change the truth. Meanwhile me monkey has stamps if anyone needs shiny icons.

And its the best knee jerk reflex to dance around the whole topic of politics...

   We got the message
   I heard it on the airwaves
   The politicians
   Are now DJ's

   The broadcast was spreading
   Station to station
   Like an infection
   Across the nation

   Well you know you can't stop it
   When they start to play
   You gotta get out the way

   The politics of dancing
   The politics of ooo feeling good
   The politics of moving
   Is this message understood
    — The Politics of Dancing by Paul Fishman ©1983

elnitido52 on Jan 08, 2008

He who knows others is wise. He who knows himself is enlightened...

Totally agree...IconBuffet...welcome to ice cream social...let's have fun!...I hate politics...respect personal religion believes and keep away from discussions about those topics...wanna talk about those topics...your free to...I rather discuss about icons and some other topics...my vote No

MaskedJedi on Jan 08, 2008

I vote yes. Look at my Election 08 thread. Everyone was respectful, there was no flaming. It's fine.

awm on Jan 08, 2008

I vote yes. It's perfectly fine as long as you don't go around dissing everybody else.

gswd on Jan 08, 2008

As someone else said, there is a world outside of the USA, and some of them have political campaigns as well. There was nothing that said the discussion would be limited to American Politics, or religion in America.

There is a rule that I was told once, and I hold it to be valid. "You don't discuss politics or religion in the workplace." These are discussions that I may have with my family, or my friends. As much as we may share here, I can say that nobody falls into either category enough that I would feel comfortable discussing them here.

mmmh on Jan 09, 2008

I vote for "NO Religon discussion on IB"

I'm a strong anti-christian. I don't care if other peoples don't believe what i do. But it always annoy me how much they try satisfy oneself and think bad about the peoples with other religions.

About politics, thats pointless because everyone is from another part of the world. I don't believe someone from USA care a lot about the politics in Germany, thats just an example.

emanaton on Jan 09, 2008

Greetings All,

Hmm... It seems to me that IB forums are based in large part around the human experience, the community building, et al. We each have a unique take on every topic, religion and politics among them, be they foreign or domestic (relatively speaking). Do we really want to sensor our members from respectfully expressing themselves? If we DO sensor, then where do we draw the line between acceptable and non-acceptable? Restrictions of this sort seem to be rather dangerous to me, and I would strongly advise against doing so.

Sean
IB Pagan
IB Webdesigner
IB Monks

brandy on Jan 09, 2008

should we? that's silly. can we? sure! if chefs didn't want us to talk about random stuff, they wouldn't include a category called "blab".

austingirl on Jan 09, 2008

Agree with brandy...the chefs included a category called blab...

As for should...people do discuss religion and politics here, so I don't see how 'should religion and politics be discussed' is even a legitimate question as it is already happening.

debbye on Jan 09, 2008

At 57, i would have to be a total ostrich if i was not aware of other views about religion and politics. i am generally interested in the comings and goings of the world.

What i am not interested in "hearing" that i am wrong for believing what i do. I think that religion & politics can bring out the arrogant side of folks. And with that arrogance, they condemn all other views but their own. Not … we have different opinions and beliefs and that is a good thing, but instead … we are wrong for these beliefs.

if you want to find other people that have the same view, search here: Search IconBuffet "sponsored" by: whoisgregg and maybe have private conversations. This may prevent a lot of flack that may be kicked up in a public forum. Start with a search for "Religious icons" and go from there.

alethiophile on Jan 09, 2008

Yes. Definitely yes. I would also vote yes if people asked me whether we can/should discuss the latest Barbie. The subject matter should not control whether the subject is allowable.

emanaton on Jan 09, 2008

What?! You're voting for BARBIE?! Dude - Ken is a WAY better president; you must be a big, fat, broom-head if you're voting for Barbie!!!
Sean
IB Pagan
IB Webdesigner
IB Monks

iqon on Jan 09, 2008

me monkey played with a barbie in Australia and it burned his fingers, now me monkey not be liken' shrimp.

sloan on Jan 09, 2008

How would we know which would be the real Barbie and not the clone? or cloned Kens for that matter.

emanaton on Jan 09, 2008

True believers just KNOW.

Sean
IB Pagan
IB Webdesigner
IB Monks

MaskedJedi on Jan 09, 2008

"I'm a strong anti-christian. I don't care if other peoples don't believe what i do. But it always annoy me how much they try satisfy oneself and think bad about the peoples with other religions."

Okay, if we do have religious discussion, this is what we must avoid. mmmh, you're speaking with extreme prejudice. Not all religious people are like that. In fact, you're the one whose talking bad about other religions.

katylava on Jan 09, 2008

How can any of us be satisfied with our own views on religion and politics and all the big stuff if we don't share it with other people from all aspects of our lives and listen to what they have to say? We're supposed to influence and inspire each other. We have to challenge each other and tell people when we think they are wrong or right and why. Otherwise what's the point of making human connections at all?

That said, it doesn't matter what forum you use to talk about it if you don't set rules and define your terms.

Personally, I wouldn't want to get involved in a discussion like that *here* because it would really need a moderator to delete posts by anyone *not* following the rules. Plus, this forum isn't really that great for long discussions, interface-wise. I don't even go into threads with more than 50 comments.

sloan on Jan 09, 2008

Huh??? I thought we we talking about our love for our feline friends here???

Cats rule (open discussion as dogs rule too)

Steax on Jan 09, 2008

I just think that as long as nobody takes offense, then open discussions should be allowed. I mean, this is for discussing, and if we can keep it like that then it's not a problem.

If someone does become offensive in any way, the important thing is that we don't over-react. Showing displeasure for a couple comments would be fine, but to counter-argue him/her is the potential problem.

Deep down inside, I am upset at some people because of racism. But arguing about it on IB won't change anything. =)

jojobear99 on Jan 09, 2008

so long as such conversation is respectful and not "taking over" with a bajillion seperate threads, I don't see a problem with it. I've seen threads in the past on both topics that I've found interesting and helpful in finding IB friends with similar views to my own, which makes trading icons even more fun :)

supertux on Jan 09, 2008

I agree with most everyone- I believe that talking about religion and politics on IB is ok, as long as what is said is not offending. Whether politics and religion should be discussed, that is your decision. I have found that the members of Icon Buffet have generally very interesting things to say and lots of input when politics are involved, so I have enjoyed discussing that topic. Once again, if you do not wish do talk politics or religion, then stay away from those threads.

'Nuff said :D

sloan on Jan 09, 2008

What are you all talking about? I thought this was a discussion about shaken or stirred.

Time for bed...errp...forgive me you sinners and saints...huh..

debragail on Jan 09, 2008

I recently posted the Federal election results for Australia's election. Luckily I didn't start a flame war. My motivation was to share with people who are mostly not Aussie. I'd think before doing it again though.

emanaton on Jan 10, 2008

Greetings all,

I agree completely with debragail: posting political news from foreign countries is fundamentally inappropriate as doing so threatens to break our (yes, "our") American perspective that we are alone and omni potent on this country (yes, "country") we call Earth. So, yes, if you please, do refrain from exposing us to the notion that real events ever happen in this fantasy land you so quaintly refer to as "Australia".

In REAL news, is anyone else excited that Hilary took the lead again?

Yours in the most sardonic of sarcasms,

Sean
IB Pagan
IB Webdesigner
IB Monks

Jahnoth on Jan 10, 2008

Cthulhu 2008
"Why vote for a lesser evil?"

bcarneiro on Jan 10, 2008

I vote NO.

emanaton on Jan 10, 2008

Vote Cthulhu NOW! He cthute and cthuddly!
Sean
IB Pagan
IB Webdesigner
IB Monks

sloan on Jan 10, 2008

Had to Google that one...

iconmaster on Jan 10, 2008

Well...

People are inherently religious and political, so it's hard to say "turn off those parts of you're brain while your on this site." So far, we haven't been given any real reason to limit discussion in that way.

We do expect everyone to "keep it friendly." While harder to do in the context of deeply personal debates, it's not impossible.

I tend to favor locking discussions that go badly awry over declaring religious and political discussions verboten outright.

At least for now.

emanaton on Jan 10, 2008

Well... in that case... I think my god can take YOUR god in Chess, Backgammon and Sorry. There! I said it! Ha!

Sean
IB Pagan
IB Webdesigner
IB Monks