Looking back on this forum.
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It's become boring. Largely it's one person's opinion-Raph, that supercedes everyone else. You should have never deleted the accounts of so many of us. Whatever. Go on with your power trip. We just won't participate anymore, as we haven't. No room for debate. This is Raph's opinion board. It wasn't about points, it was about download rights. Donating benefits just wiped out. No one considers this board relevant anymore because you don't allow free speech. Whatever country you're from, that doesn't fly here in the United States. Have fun talking to yourself.
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I have only banned 1 person.
That was for lying, claiming I called him a "nigger faggot" and several other things. He admitted he lied when the site owner asked for proof and informed him that everything in the forums is recorded, so even if I deleted it, it would still be there.
I have muted a few for rule breaking, mostly spamming.
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I called attention to the downfall of this forum LONG ago and I was ridiculed for it, even by you, mhorndisk1. That was the point I was trying to make long ago. It was really simple: make your argument, defend your argument with validity, and respect others. Somehow, that was too hard of a thing to do and now this thread is…dead. No one really wants to participate in it and it's sad because we---a diverse group of gay/bi/etc. men---all have opinions just like anyone else and should be able to debate like adults.
You can believe in whatever you want and defend your right to believe in whatever you want, but acting in bad faith when trying to debate always leads to nothing but incivility and low participation. This thread just isn't welcoming to those who want to express their views and have healthy debates. This thread has become a microcosm of American politics today; no one wants to actually debate. They want to either (a) complain and ban people from exercising free speech because they don't want to hear different opinions or (b) use disgusting behavior so that everyone will get fed up and not want to discuss anything anymore.
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I warn people away from here.
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This thread has become a microcosm of American politics today; no one wants to actually debate.
That is indeed the problem. I read a few things in this forum because I saw it titled, "Politics & Debate." There is no debate.
It wouldn't surprise me if there is similar phenomena in a "Religion" forum, but I'm rather afraid to even look in there.
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Stay away from Gay & Muslim.
Other topics in Religion don't seem to be toxic.
Granted, I do not wish to debate religion. I do interfaith work and enjoy conversations but the idea that the only way that you will speak with someone whose experience is different than yours is by trying to force them into your opinion is not pleasant.
One of the phrases I like from (English translations/interpretations of) the Quran is "Allah has made you separate peoples and nations so that you can learn from one another; not that you should despise one another." I like hearing what the process of Lent means to a Christian and sharing what the process of the 49 days between Pesach (Leaving Egypt) and Shevuoth (Recieving the Torah) means to me. If you're interested in civil conversation, let's talk.
