Positive religious tolerance on myLot

Hi Lamby - I though you actually WERE... y'know... "him" Anyhoo, all opinions can be freely expressed as long as there is some respect for individuals - I get a bit embarrassed by over-enthusiastic Christians wanting to lambast (unintended pun) everybody - it's not exactly the way that Christ wanted his message portrayed, but on the whole I think there is more intolerance coming from other quarters. I once had a religious discussion in which I was racially slurred for being black - which I am not!! I cannot tell you how confusing that was!! I was beside myself with indignation even though I am as WASPy as they come - not because they said I was black, but because he thought it was acceptable to insult someone he assumed was black SantaPants (I guess after 200,000 sign-ups people must be scraping the barrel for names...!!) I agree with your reasoning, true, small groups can have an influence, but the influence really only reaches within the group - no-one is likely to be turned onto paganism through a discussion here in reality. Such discussions usually attract like-minded people. I have often strayed into a discussion on a 'bizarre' topic to find all responses to hold the same bizarre view as the discussion starter - no converts there... There are a number of keen devotees in the 'Panda-spanking' category of MyLot, but I truly believe that not a single panda has been harmed as a result of these discussions...

The internet does offer a 'safe haven' for discussing things you normally wouldn't in person. That unfortunately also gives trolls and people looking for trouble the ability to offend anonymously. Another result of the way the internet works is that a small group can appear to have the same weight of opinion as a large group. Take voting in a government as an example. If a minor candidate holds 4% of the polls and a majour one holds 60%, a small group with an agenda may overrun a discussion forum making their point of view seem bigger than the one that is actually the majority. This could be true with smaller 'pagan' religions in comparison to larger ones. To be honest, I'm torn between thinking that the minority opinion getting an equal exosure is a good or bad thing. In the end it does give it undue weight. Hopefully people could also get a quick payout by having good discussions. But I suppose arguments are another way to get a lot of replies as well.

Ahh yes, as Livewyre said in a reply above, with 200,000 members you will get a few of those! Nothing wrong with a lively bebate, it can be very enjoyable. On other sites, yahoo answers for example, i can ask a questions and get very annoyed by the anger people throw at you for even the most simple ideas. Can be a shame.

i do speak honestly how i feel about it face to face as well. one thing i do is always be straight forward about things and how i feel about things. but to me i dont push what i belive off onto others, and if they try to push what they belive on me i tell them straight up not happening

Maybe the internet has created 2 of every person? The identity we give out face to face and the one we show online. I wonder which one is more honest? I think i'm more likely to speak my mind online than with other people face to face.

I think this is a very tolerant community. It's also good as you get to see points of view unlike your own. It's not good to just attck what you don't understandf right away. That being said, I think that people should still be critical if they understand, but disagree with a view point. There's a fine line between healty debate and a flame war.

I think that's a good approach in most cases, although I think there's a place for discussion within a religious topic. For example asking people to discuss their interpretation of the meaning of a bible passage could spark a good debate, but asking "what's better, religion A or religion B?" would cause a discussion war that would never be resolved! Such a discussion could even lose people friends on myLot so it could even be dangerous. Respect for people is definately something I've notice more on myLot than anywhere else online.

I think you are right however it only takes a few idiots! and with nearly 200,000 members, there are a couple of idiots out there... I don't shy away from religious discussions as they can be very interesting and enlightening - if it gets too hot, you can just walk away.... in the main discussions are civilised, I do hate it though, when the questioner poses a question but has an ulterior motive (ie. they are just looking for a fight or to belittle other people's opinions)

Yes I agree, when you post online you do have time to think your response rather than saying the first thing to come into your head, as you're more likely to do face to face. I think this discussion itself is a good example. I was never expecting to get so many replies on the subject! It's very nice to though as it shows I can at least be interesting sometimes :) Thank you, and everyone for their comments on this, it's very appreciated.

I think it is better to keep a tight control in some places. The problem with many forums is that there's no protection against flaming and trolls. Anywhere else I'd have to walk away from the discussion as there's no way to recover the conversation once that starts. Most youtube comments are a good example of this I think!