Kindly notice: fanaticism and ad hominem attacks will not be tolerated on this network

[Martin Euser]

To all whom it may concern: this network is not set up to promote fanaticism, fundamentalism, dogmatism or whatever other deviations of the human mind there may be.

People who repeatedly engage in attacks on others, make denigratory remarks, etc., may find themselves banned from this network by our administrators.

This does not pertain to fair or spirited discussions, of course.

Martin Euser

 

[M K Ramadoss]

You post is very timely. I have seen even in other Internet forums, action has been taken on individuals who participate in the kind of activities you have mentioned. It is upto us to keep the forum an inviting place where every one feels at home.

[Joe Fulton]

Exactly.  One of the hallmarks of this site is that we promote civil discussion.

The site is watched very closely and all of the administration team is well aware of the fact that we moderate to behaviors.  We want your experience to be pleasant and you should have the expectation of not having to deal with personal attacks here.

This brings to mind a couple other issues;

First, and foremost, there is a second side to free speech, and that is responsibility.  Coming on to this site and taking a whack at someone then crying foul at a response is an abuse of free-speech.  It is also anti-social.

And along the same lines, a discussion is NOT wallpapering your views and going 'la la la la' to other POV's.  Any true debate begins with two or more parties who agree to an honest search for the truth on any subject.  It is not one person making blanket statements expecting an all or nothing response.  That is what bullies do. 

For those who are interested more on the art of argumentation and debate, the Teaching Company has an excellent course called "Argumentation: The Study of Effective Reasoning", by Professor David Zarefsky of Northwestern University.  He makes argumentation fun and brings back the joy of what an honest search for truth can be.

[Christian von Lahr]

To all whom it may concern: this network is not set up to promote fanaticism, fundamentalism, dogmatism or whatever other deviations of the human mind there may be.

People who repeatedly engage in attacks on others, make denigratory remarks, etc., may find themselves banned from this network by our administrators.

This does not pertain to fair or spirited discussions, of course.

Martin Euser

 

ha, ... that's putting it out there.  When man's ego provides that [focus] that stears us straightly down a singular path, it is difficult, if not impossible, to not feel "I KNOW."  Therefore, I suspect it is our very natures that are behind the fanaticism, fundamentalism, dogmatism that leads to so much difficulty when it grates up against another's ego/hence "learning." 

 

Like traveling along veins of a leaf, we all travel our own dirt roads ... eventually we find we have some common understanding; but finding that middle line takes a while, and in the end we find we have the same objective, ...discovering the meaning of that leaf, that world, that existence we find ourselves on and in.  If we do it right, we can all grow; done poorly and we are mere maggots devouring our host -- and all too soon -- in ignorance and self-serving objective.  Both anologies compiled suggest that harmony provides Universal learning and growth, and that the [differences] in our path, choices and understanding ... when considered collectively ... help define a much bigger, more beautiful, greater and almost breathtaking Universe.

 

Christian