So I'm not a newbie. I've gotta question though.

I've been wondering about "religion" topics. They all get closed, and I understand that there's a risk for spam and flaming, but if the members follow the rules shouldn't there be none of that? I wish that there was a few topics allowed for religious discussion, with strict rules on conduct. I really think that a lot of members would enjoy that. Even if we first tried it as a short-term project, if we stick to the rules, they should be OK. Can a mod or admin please help me?

KToI

I agree, we shouldn't be so sensetive about these things. Because if the world was like
that we would not have Religion. But there should be severe punishments for someone
that goes into the topic/forum just to cause trouble.

I agree. Actually, I find it offensive how people will jump to conclusions and close them instantly. Although I am Christian, i wouldn;t mind other religion topics. It would be interesting to see what others believe. Anyways, most of us (most) are mature and won;t start arguing. The only arguing I can remember was when people said the topic should be closed! And people are not being sensitive, they are just being ridiculous. I'm taught about the big bang and so on as if it were truth! And people complain about a harmless topic where Christians are just talking to each other... See anything wrong?

I don't see anything wrong with religion topics. If someone causes trouble, that person should be punished, and his post edited, and the topic can go on.
But that's just me.

im not really for the idea of religion topics.im not saying religion is bad (nor am i putting any religion down), i just dont think its something that should be discussed here.

ya i'm christian too but i would like to see atleast some religion topics
-Hottoco

Here's a spin on a popular cliche...

Topics don't flame...
People Flame.

I know in this form it isn't as well executed, but you get the idea...

Anyone can spam or flame anywhere, it just seems to attract flamers. But it isn't like the topic is bad, just the rule breakers. I hate it when mods will punish everyone for only a few peoples' mistakes.

I don't think topics of the nature are well, smart, in addition to flamming and spam, it my offend someone somehow, organized and strickt or not. In fact this topic is turning into one also.

They dont want other BZP members to take about there countries.

...I dont think we should have any religious topic(Please,Please ddont take this as an insult.I respect your guyses belifies and I am Not trying to offend you in anyway.)The reason why?Well,people actually might dissagree in some belifes and people might even start to flame.You know how seruois(sp?)it is to insult anothers beliefs,and I dont think BZPower could take the risk.I'm not sure,but I dont want any cultures or belifes being hurt by other people,so i dont think BZPower should have Religious topics yet....I dont want anyone to be hurt because in this world,people actually think its funny to insult peoples cultures and beliefs.And I do not think BZPower should be one of those sites were that might happen.I know,I know.You may not belive there are people who just insult peoples cultres,but I have seen some sites that had have their belifes and cultres flamed upon.I think its just disspicable.(about the flaming,not the belifes!!!)

Sorry if that sounds weird to you,so i'll shorten it to one tiny sentance.

"I think actually some belifes might be hurten or torn.So I dont think BZPower should have much religuos topics."

I'm very sorry if this post makes some people mad....

I dont think bzp should have religous topics i have been to other boards with NO mods and you should see how bad it gets 5 pages of FLAME!!! And the guy lied about the title too. The flame did not end well. and some other guy came and helped the guy that startsd the topic and FLAMED the other people's religons said they were goin to H--l. Thats how bad those topics get

People make mistakes and diss other's religions and it becomes a flame fest. It isn't good to talk about religion really, except to others that have your same religion.

Since I'm a "neutral" in the topic of religion, I'll field this one.

OK, let's back up a bit... "religion" per se isn't disallowed on BZP. There have been quite a few threads about it, and have concluded successfully. In moderation. Carefully watched.

What we do watch out for are "trigger topics" that invite flaming. There are some subjects that people (whatever age, nationality, gender, religion, race, or whatever) vehemently disagree about. Even though the majority of people on BZP are well-behaved, all it takes is one cretin with more time than sense to ruin a topic. Once someone wades in flaming, it tends to spread like wildfire, with angry people going back and forth, and others joining in a vain effort to stop it. It's a mess.

The topics that most often invite flaming include (in no particular order):

Religion

Sex

Nationality

Sports

Politics

Bodily functions

Let me be honest: a lot of people on BZP are young, and sometimes don't have the life experience to deal appropriately with opinions that differ from their own strongly-held beliefs. So they flame back.

Moderators here have experienced this and are watchful of the signs. So rather than let a potential flame topic burn itself out, with lots of unhappy people at the end of it (there are never any winners in these topics), mods tend to close them down before they get out of hand. I fully agree with this tactic. It may annoy people who honestly want to discuss something important to them, but it avoids all-out confrontations and possible disciplinary actions.

I invite you to take a look at an unmoderated message board - try Lugnet, for example. I'm nearly 40 years old and some of the threads and posts there are so incredibly nasty, selfish, immature, and generally unpleasant that I can't stand to post there often. It's not a friendly environment, because at any time somebody with too much attitude can waltz in and destroy a conversation.

If you want a real world situation about religious discussion... turn on CNN.

BZP tries to avoid this, and maintain a friendly atmosphere. So you'll continue to see potential trouble defused by mods trying to keep the peace in threads like the ones mentioned above.

I hope this explains the reasons behind the thread closures.

- Bink.

We do not want BZPower to be the battlegrounds of a religious nuclear war.

Oh, Bink, I know why you mentioned sports *cough*Nothing*cough*

QUOTE (Baihumon @ Feb 8 2003, 05:05 AM)

We do not want BZPower to be the battlegrounds of a religious nuclear war. Oh, Bink, I know why you mentioned sports *cough*Nothing*cough*

Now now....Dont start pointing fingers young man!!


Yes.I verry much agree with Binkmeister.Even though I think most religious will turn bad after a while,what he meantioned as "Trigger topics",thats kinda why I dont think BZPower should have them.Flaming,spaming about everyones beliefs...Thats actually common.I been to forums were they even had to close down because of all the bandwidth wasted!!But,there are many other forums that descuss nothing but religion.Try a google search on it and you'll find some sites i'm sure....