Letter from a concerned and turned off PS member - now a Permanently turned off PSer

[diamondfan]

DS, thanks! I think we all have something to contribute and the world would be a boring place if we all agreed about everything.

That does not mean I think it is okay to be a hatemonger, or nasty, or cruel, or believe you are a superior being to anyone. When I say there should be room for many views, I mean more like, okay, I am not a super religious person. I am more spiritual. But if you are very religious and live your life as such, I have no right to malign you. I may not agree with your lifestyle, but as long as it isn''t harmful to me, it frankly is not my business. Now, somethings bother and offend me, smallmindedness, superiority, elitism, intolerance...can''t say I think most people think those are stellar traits. But if you wish to live your life in a fashion that suits you, and you let me live mine, I think we should be able to get along fine. We might agree to disagree, but that is okay.

On some of these threads the gloves come off. You want to say to the combatants, back to your corners, the bell has rung to end the round! I shake my head that being so vile and nasty to someone you do not know is the way to go.

Does it make me sad and angry to see discrimination of any type? YES! But if someone else believes homosexuality is a sin and were raised to believe that, I might feel sad that they are closed minded but I cannot call them names.

 

[decodelighted]

Date: 11/8/2008 8:12:32 PM
Author: purrfectpear
yet discriminatory posts are left unchallenged?

What? Where? If there''s one thing PSers are, its "challenging"! I see push back on every teensy bit of intolerance, from all sides! Where''ve you been looking?

 

[strmrdr]

So basically you want a forum where you can slam those that disagree with you and they cant respond.
I have friends I wont send here because of the religion bashing that is rampant and continues here.
Some of the worst offenders are posting in this thread and complaining.

 

[luckystar112]

Ditto Ebree!

Ringster, I'm sorry you never heard back. I never received a reponse back from an email I sent as well. I actually took it personally and was kind of turned off by it.

I think the thing is that some of us are just complete opposites politically. I absolutely think that the real hot button issues such as abortion, gay rights, religion, race, etc should just not be brought up at all, which are basically what the rules state anyway. But the reality is that it is hard to post an opinion on here about anything without someone disagreeing with you (and it goes both ways).
With that being said, I think if the threads were moderated more and dealt with fairly (and I don't think they have been), it would be a more welcoming section.

 

[purrfectpear]

Date: 11/8/2008 8:18:01 PM
Author: decodelighted

Date: 11/8/2008 8:12:32 PM
Author: purrfectpear
yet discriminatory posts are left unchallenged?

What? Where? If there''s one thing PSers are, its ''challenging''! I see push back on every teensy bit of intolerance, from all sides! Where''ve you been looking?

You''re right. There is some push back, but not nearly to the same extent that would happen if someone said "how do you like my ring" and someone else said "it''s tiny, is that all he could afford?"

You know the outcry that a rude post like that would receive. Tons and tons of PS members would give a virtual slap down to that poster. It would be merciless (and rightfully so)

 

[purrfectpear]

Date: 11/8/2008 8:19:59 PM
Author: strmrdr
So basically you want a forum where you can slam those that disagree with you and they cant respond.
I have friends I wont send here because of the religion bashing that is rampant and continues here.
Some of the worst offenders are posting in this thread and complaining.

There couldn''t be any religion bashing if those with religious views left them at home where they belong per the Pricescope rules.

Feel free to post your beliefs that are not solely based on religious ideology.

 

[Skippy123]

Date: 11/8/2008 8:19:59 PM
Author: strmrdr
So basically you want a forum where you can slam those that disagree with you and they cant respond.
I have friends I wont send here because of the religion bashing that is rampant and continues here.
Some of the worst offenders are posting in this thread and complaining.

I too have not seen that Karl. I hope I don't see it either. I do have my faith but I don't ever discuss it on PS though and I am glad I don't see the bashing you are talking about. hmmmm

Moonwater, thank you and feel the same about you.

 

[luckystar112]

If it''s against pricescope rules, then why respond to it? Why do we fuel the fire?

 

[decodelighted]

Date: 11/8/2008 8:21:17 PM
Author: purrfectpear
There is some push back, but not nearly to the same extent that would happen if someone said 'how do you like my ring' and someone else said 'it's tiny, is that all he could afford?' You know the outcry that a rude post like that would receive. Tons and tons of PS members would give a virtual slap down to that poster. It would be merciless (and rightfully so)

IMHO that's because ATW doesn't attract as wide an audience as the other threads. Its primarily a diamond forum ... there's simply a lot more traffic & traction in the areas that revolve around the key focus. HANGOUT & ATW & HEALTH etc are fringe areas, that only attract the most active (or bored

) posters. Honestly, I think its a numbers/traffic thing - not a passion thing.

 

[purrfectpear]

Date: 11/8/2008 8:28:14 PM
Author: luckystar112
If it''s against pricescope rules, then why respond to it? Why do we fuel the fire?

I simply report it. Thus the number of threads that have been zapped. It''s unfortunate that those who continue to push religion make work for the mods.

 

[LaraOnline]

Date: 11/8/2008 8:18:01 PM
Author: decodelighted

Date: 11/8/2008 8:12:32 PM

Author: purrfectpear

yet discriminatory posts are left unchallenged?

What? Where? If there''s one thing PSers are, its ''challenging''! I see push back on every teensy bit of intolerance, from all sides! Where''ve you been looking?

OT, but..the original meaning of ''discrimination'' is "the power of making fine distinctions; discriminating judgment: She chose the colors with great discrimination".

I get tired of the broad-brush term of ''discrimination'', because in many ways the modern meaning is the complete opposite of the older one!

Perhaps we should all focus on old-fashioned ''discrimination'' (careful, deep-thinking, choice making) as a way of extricating ourselves from the modern kind of ''dicrimination'' where knee-jerk judgements rule supreme!

 

[strmrdr]

Date: 11/8/2008 8:23:20 PM
Author: purrfectpear

Date: 11/8/2008 8:19:59 PM

Author: strmrdr

So basically you want a forum where you can slam those that disagree with you and they cant respond.

I have friends I wont send here because of the religion bashing that is rampant and continues here.

Some of the worst offenders are posting in this thread and complaining.

There couldn't be any religion bashing if those with religious views left them at home where they belong per the Pricescope rules.


Feel free to post your beliefs that are not solely based on religious ideology.

Perfect example... any one that don't agree with you should shut up because religion is not a valid way to base a belief.
Frankly this part of the board has become a liberal playground with liberals striking out at anyone that disagrees with them.
Which is why I don't play here very often.
If you want your own playground go to DU.
The conservatives were respectful of the dems thread and I didn't see one conservative invade it but the republican thread was destroyed by a liberal invasion.

 

[iheartscience]

I agree with Ira and others-if a poster doesn''t like ATW, it''s easy enough to not look at it. Participation in different forums and threads is optional, so if you don''t enjoy it, just don''t partake! Not everyone enjoys debating, heated or not, which is entirely understandable.

 

[MoonWater]

Date: 11/8/2008 8:15:01 PM
Author: diamondfan
But if someone else believes homosexuality is a sin and were raised to believe that, I might feel sad that they are closed minded but I cannot call them names.

But you just did, by calling them closed minded. See, this is one of the problems.

 

[Skippy123]

Date: 11/8/2008 8:35:42 PM
Author: thing2of2
I agree with Ira and others-if a poster doesn''t like ATW, it''s easy enough to not look at it. Participation in different forums and threads is optional, so if you don''t enjoy it, just don''t partake! Not everyone enjoys debating, heated or not, which is entirely understandable.

I rather see it here then in Hangout. Hangout is for fun so I agree.

 

[iheartscience]

Date: 11/8/2008 8:37:02 PM
Author: Skippy123

Date: 11/8/2008 8:35:42 PM

Author: thing2of2

I agree with Ira and others-if a poster doesn''t like ATW, it''s easy enough to not look at it. Participation in different forums and threads is optional, so if you don''t enjoy it, just don''t partake! Not everyone enjoys debating, heated or not, which is entirely understandable.

I rather see it here then in Hangout. Hangout is for fun so I agree.

I agree 100%, Skippy. Keeping the politics confined to one place makes it pretty easy to avoid if you don''t want to deal with it!

 

[luckystar112]

Date: 11/8/2008 8:31:28 PM
Author: purrfectpear

Date: 11/8/2008 8:28:14 PM
Author: luckystar112
If it's against pricescope rules, then why respond to it? Why do we fuel the fire?

I simply report it. Thus the number of threads that have been zapped. It's unfortunate that those who continue to push religion make work for the mods.

I just avoid them, reporting them is good too.

ETA: I probably missed something that has led to all of these statements about getting rid of ATW. I haven't seen anything but Sarah Palin bashing for the last few days. And since I "love her", that irks me.

 

[Regular Guy]

Date: 11/8/2008 8:37:02 PM
Author: Skippy123

Date: 11/8/2008 8:35:42 PM
Author: thing2of2
I agree with Ira and others-if a poster doesn''t like ATW, it''s easy enough to not look at it. Participation in different forums and threads is optional, so if you don''t enjoy it, just don''t partake! Not everyone enjoys debating, heated or not, which is entirely understandable.

I rather see it here then in Hangout. Hangout is for fun so I agree.

Skippy, you can''t agree with me. I agreed with you first!

 

[purrfectpear]

Date: 11/8/2008 8:35:01 PM
Author: strmrdr

Date: 11/8/2008 8:23:20 PM
Author: purrfectpear

Date: 11/8/2008 8:19:59 PM

Author: strmrdr

So basically you want a forum where you can slam those that disagree with you and they cant respond.

I have friends I wont send here because of the religion bashing that is rampant and continues here.

Some of the worst offenders are posting in this thread and complaining.

There couldn''t be any religion bashing if those with religious views left them at home where they belong per the Pricescope rules.


Feel free to post your beliefs that are not solely based on religious ideology.

Perfect example... any one that don''t agree with you should shut up because religion is not a valid way to base a belief.

What part of the rules against discussing religion did you miss? How hard is it to respect the rules that you agreed to? Your religion which shapes your beliefs are valid to you. You''re just not supposed to use YOUR religion to say that they are correct for ALL on Pricescope.

It''s clear you resent the fact that those of us with differing views are able to support them without using religion, and religion is what you are left with. I did not make the rules here. I do expect all of us to follow the rules here. Posts which continue to marginalize other races and orientations under the umbrella of "God says so" will continue to be reported.

 

[Ellen]

I don''t understand telling people not to come here to shop for a diamond, just because of another section of the board.

 

[MoonWater]

Date: 11/8/2008 8:35:01 PM
Author: strmrdr

Date: 11/8/2008 8:23:20 PM

Author: purrfectpear

Date: 11/8/2008 8:19:59 PM


Author: strmrdr


So basically you want a forum where you can slam those that disagree with you and they cant respond.


I have friends I wont send here because of the religion bashing that is rampant and continues here.


Some of the worst offenders are posting in this thread and complaining.

There couldn't be any religion bashing if those with religious views left them at home where they belong per the Pricescope rules.



Feel free to post your beliefs that are not solely based on religious ideology.

Perfect example... any one that don't agree with you should shut up because religion is not a valid way to base a belief.

Huh? No, it's because discussing religion on PS is against the rules. Using your religion to justify things you don't agree with would break the rules because it discusses religion. I am not sure why that is so hard to understand. If someone feels compelled to post something that is based on their religious beliefs, perhaps they should refrain from posting. I also especially get disgusted when people talk in a derogatory manner about other peoples faith. I'm no follower of Islam but if I were, I think I would have cried a million times reading these posts!

 

[luckystar112]

Date: 11/8/2008 8:40:27 PM
Author: purrfectpear
Posts which continue to marginalize other races and orientations under the umbrella of ''God says so'' will continue to be reported.

Okay now I know for sure I''m missing something! lol
If it was deleted, then good. The system works! GAME ON!

 

[strmrdr]

Date: 11/8/2008 8:40:27 PM
Author: purrfectpear
It''s clear you resent

Keep the insults rolling your doing good and proving my point.

 

[iheartscience]

Date: 11/8/2008 8:40:22 PM
Author: Regular Guy

Date: 11/8/2008 8:37:02 PM

Author: Skippy123

Date: 11/8/2008 8:35:42 PM

Author: thing2of2

I agree with Ira and others-if a poster doesn''t like ATW, it''s easy enough to not look at it. Participation in different forums and threads is optional, so if you don''t enjoy it, just don''t partake! Not everyone enjoys debating, heated or not, which is entirely understandable.

I rather see it here then in Hangout. Hangout is for fun so I agree.

Skippy, you can''t agree with me. I agreed with you first!

No, I agreed with you first and then Skippy agreed with me agreeing with you!

 

[strmrdr]

Date: 11/8/2008 8:41:50 PM
Author: MoonWater

Huh? No, it's because discussing religion on PS is against the rules. Using your religion to justify things you don't agree with would break the rules because it discusses religion. I am not sure why that is so hard to understand. If someone feels compelled to post something that is based on their religious beliefs, perhaps they should refrain from posting. I also especially get disgusted when we talk in a derogatory manner about other peoples faith. I'm no follower of Islam but if I were, I think I would have cried a million times reading these posts!

At the same time those posts and posters who slam religion are allowed to continue and when called on it insult people then run to the mods.

 

[MoonWater]

Date: 11/8/2008 8:45:37 PM
Author: strmrdr

Date: 11/8/2008 8:41:50 PM

Author: MoonWater


Huh? No, it''s because discussing religion on PS is against the rules. Using your religion to justify things you don''t agree with would break the rules because it discusses religion. I am not sure why that is so hard to understand. If someone feels compelled to post something that is based on their religious beliefs, perhaps they should refrain from posting. I also especially get disgusted when we talk in a derogatory manner about other peoples faith. I''m no follower of Islam but if I were, I think I would have cried a million times reading these posts!

At the same time those posts and posters who slam religion are allowed to continue and when called on it insult people then run to the mods.

Funny, I didn''t see anyone slam religion. I saw people correctly point out why this country has a separation of church and state. The recurring issues on this board is a clear example of why.

 

[Regular Guy]

Date: 11/8/2008 8:44:26 PM
Author: thing2of2

Date: 11/8/2008 8:40:22 PM
Author: Regular Guy

Date: 11/8/2008 8:37:02 PM

Author: Skippy123

Date: 11/8/2008 8:35:42 PM

Author: thing2of2

I agree with Ira and others-if a poster doesn''t like ATW, it''s easy enough to not look at it. Participation in different forums and threads is optional, so if you don''t enjoy it, just don''t partake! Not everyone enjoys debating, heated or not, which is entirely understandable.

I rather see it here then in Hangout. Hangout is for fun so I agree.

Skippy, you can''t agree with me. I agreed with you first!

No, I agreed with you first and then Skippy agreed with me agreeing with you!

Now...that''s the thing...........

 

[decodelighted]

I do have empathy for how frustrating it must be for many to discuss things without (even accidentally) touching on race or religion this election year. Nobody''s perfect & leeway has been granted occasionally. The folks who insist on pushing the limits & inciting conflict give up their right to participate IMHO.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Date: 11/8/2008 8:41:50 PM
Author: MoonWater

Date: 11/8/2008 8:35:01 PM
Author: strmrdr

Date: 11/8/2008 8:23:20 PM

Author: purrfectpear

Date: 11/8/2008 8:19:59 PM


Author: strmrdr


So basically you want a forum where you can slam those that disagree with you and they cant respond.


I have friends I wont send here because of the religion bashing that is rampant and continues here.


Some of the worst offenders are posting in this thread and complaining.

There couldn''t be any religion bashing if those with religious views left them at home where they belong per the Pricescope rules.



Feel free to post your beliefs that are not solely based on religious ideology.

Perfect example... any one that don''t agree with you should shut up because religion is not a valid way to base a belief.

Huh? No, it''s because discussing religion on PS is against the rules. Using your religion to justify things you don''t agree with would break the rules because it discusses religion. I am not sure why that is so hard to understand. If someone feels compelled to post something that is based on their religious beliefs, perhaps they should refrain from posting. I also especially get disgusted when people talk in a derogatory manner about other peoples faith. I''m no follower of Islam but if I were, I think I would have cried a million times reading these posts!

But the truth is, all views are based on something. If it is not religion, it is secular humanism. I am not defending anyone because I HAVE avoided the threads that apparently are being alluded to on this thread. But if you call people bigots because they base political views on their religious beliefs, then I say that makes you guilty, too.

 

[purrfectpear]

Date: 11/8/2008 8:48:18 PM
Author: decodelighted
I do have empathy for how frustrating it must be for many to discuss things without (even accidentally) touching on race or religion this election year. Nobody''s perfect & leeway has been granted occasionally. The folks who insist on pushing the limits & inciting conflict give up their right to participate IMHO.

Amen, oops, I mean YEAH