Sssssss Sssssss Sssssss

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   gmwilliamsposted 11 years ago

   
   The forum experience is where one can have an exchange and discussion of varied ideas on a myriad of topics. From these discussions, one oftentimes learn from each other and evolve as people.  It is expected that each person will have varied opinions and different outlooks on the topic at hand.  No cause for alarm or is it? There are those of us who readily accept and realize that each person have the unmitigated right to express his/her own opinion based upon his/her expertise/knowledge of the subject which is based upon his/her education and life experience.
   
   Most of us who participate in the forums realize and acknowledge this.  However......yes, there is ALWAYS a HOWEVER, there are SOME who refuse to acknowledge these factors and variables.  There are some strong proponents who staunchly aver that their observations, experiences, and perspectives are the ONLY LEGITIMATE and VALID ones.  To them, others who had different beliefs, education, life experiences, and perspectives are DEAD WRONG to say the least.  Such proponents see no issue in verbally and psychologically disparaging others with differing beliefs/ opinions/ perspectives.  They will assert that they ARE RIGHT above all else.  To such people, invalidating others is the name of the game.  To them, other's opinions are inferior and quite illogical in their premise.  They think of nothing to negatively referring to other's people so-called "lack of education" or "lack of intelligence" if they are disagreed with.   
   
   Such behavior is unprofessional and is quite reminiscent of behaivor in junior high and high school when tweens and teenagers are not cognizant enough to realize that other's opinions are just as valid as theirs, thereby attacking them.  These personal attacks are unadultlike to say the least.   
   
   There are SOME people will  simply NEVER LEARN nor acclimate to the rules of proper forum behavior and decorum!  They adamantly contend that in order to make themselves heard and to consider themselves the ONLY CORRECT ONES, they blatantly disrespect others to MAKE THEMSELVES feel better!   This bullying in the forums must cease!
   

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   1. 84

      Marcy Goodfleischposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      GM - I may have missed whatever prompted your post, so please excuse this if I sound off-target.
      
      When I first got on this site, about two years ago, abuse on the forums was rampant. An 'old guard' group, many of whom I greatly admire as writers, somewhat owned the forum and anyone new was treated pretty miserably. If someone new innocently popped in to say hi or to try to meet people, they were generally met with disdainful insults.  Many people avoided the forums completely, and many complained to the site admins. It was rare to see people banned, and that didn't help (it reinforced the idea that abusive behavior was okay).
      
      In the past year, the atmosphere on the forum has greatly changed - people welcome newcomers, and although some joking might seem to get out of hand at times, I don't see the rancor that used to be here.  I truly hope there's not been a reversion to the bad old days.  I'm so thankful the admins have now been more diligent about keeping the community free from those things.
      
      Again - I'm not sure what you may have seen that was abusive - it just dawned on me (while writing this) that very old threads, including those that have abusive comments, can now be resurrected due to the links at the bottom of the forum.  Is there any chance you saw an old thread?  If so, maybe the site should rethink that feature. There are some things best left behind.

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      1. 85

         gmwilliamsposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         @ Marcy, some people especially in the Religion and Philosophy posts can be described as virulently abusive.  It seems that they choose to be unfamiliar with forum decorum.
         
         Some people simply refuse to acknowledge that each person is entitled to his/her perspective as long as it is not infringing upon the rights of others.   There are posters who think of nothing of denigrating others because the latter present a different opinion. 
         
         Not an old thread at all Marcy but a very recent thread.  There are a few people who habitually harangues others and attack their intelligence because one presents a different opinion than theirs. How sad and unnerving indeed.

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         1. 80

            Barbara Kayposted 11 years agoin reply to this

            I learned to stay out of the religious and political threads early on. After a few insults, I decided it just wasn't worth it.

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            1. 85

               gmwilliamsposted 11 years agoin reply to this

               Can we say venom?  Hiss, bite, OUCH, OUCH, OUCH!  Sssssssss.

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   2. 0

      Mklow1posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      When I was young, I had an older cousin that would antagonize me to the point that I was yelling and crying. Then, when an adult would come around to see what was wrong, he would talk in a soft tone and say "Its ok, why are you crying? You don't have to yell, we are right here." like I was just throwing a temper tantrum for no reason and he was trying to console me.
      
      Typically when someone is on the receiving end of another Hubbers so called "abusive" behavior, it is because they have posted an insensitive comment or crafted a question in an obviously biased way, but try to act like it was unintentional.
      
      Such as: "Why are Christians/Atheists so angry all of the time?" (I have seen both)
      
      or "Why do Pro-lifers hate women?" or "Why do pro-abortionists like to kill babies?"
      
      When this gets a strong response, the person who posts it, acts surprised, but in reality, it was the response they were looking to get.

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2. 90

   rebekahELLEposted 11 years ago

   Hmm, I have noticed that many of your threads include shouting (words in CAPS) and an overall judgmental tone.  This may be why you seem to see this more than others.  Hanging out in the religious forums is bound to stir up contention.  You've been around long enough to know that.  If it bothers you so much, perhaps limit your time in those forums. Some things will never change, especially beliefs.

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   1. 85

      gmwilliamsposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you Rebekah.   Each person is entitled to his/her perspective.  However, some people REALLY do not think so.  If a person presents a different opinion, there are a few people who go into attack mode.  That is not proper decorum behavior.  Most people in the Religion and Philosophy Forums are accepting of other's different perspectives but there is a MINORITY who sadly and unfortunately are not.  I am making an observation of the situation at hand.

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3. 84

   Marcy Goodfleischposted 11 years ago

   Thanks for clarifying, GM. Maybe you should post a thread similar to this in the Religion section?  I hope you reported anything that was out-of-bounds.

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   1. 85

      gmwilliamsposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Oh God no, that would further exacerbate the situation more. That would be proverbially World War III.  Of course, such unprofessional behavior is reported.  There is no need for mudslinging and other forms of verbal bullying in the forums.  Only a few people habitually do this, quite sadly!

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      1. 84

         Marcy Goodfleischposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         Yes, as soon as I posted this, I winced & pictured kerosene on a fire. Eventually, truly egregious offenders might be restricted.  It takes a lot to get to that point, though.

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         1. 85

            gmwilliamsposted 11 years agoin reply to this

            The Religion and Philosophy Forums are contentious enough as it.  Why add more fuel to the fire?  Can you imagine if I posted this topic under Religion and Philosophy?  I hate to think about it!

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4. 65

   psycheskinnerposted 11 years ago

   Be the change you want to see.

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