Thank you for stepping in, NinjaPuppy.
I confess that I am surprised that my thread degenerated into those types of hateful posts. Maybe that is naive of me.
I really tried to lay this out as a fun thing that people could do without the arguing about it. I was also hoping people might find a little common ground by realizing that perhaps each of os has some skeptical views and some unproven beliefs, however small. That was probably a little naive too.
There is obviously a lot of animosity in this forum, but I hate to see people take the low road like this.
This is a forum that at least in part exists to discuss critical thought. I am constantly seeing examples of all sorts of ad hominum attacks in threads. I am never more appalled then when it comes from my own side. if people just enjoy flaming each other, there are better forums for doing that in.
Now, excuse me for saying so, but when hen I read some of the SKECOP articles, I see a lot of subjective negativity and emotional attacks directed at the skeptical community. I may be wrong, but that is how it seems to me, and I joined in large part to discuss those issues. I suspect that the tone of the website has a lot to do with the advesarial tone of this forum.
That is really no excuse for anyone though. Believers and skeptics alike should be discussing the issues, not making personal attacks. And when such attacks are made, they should be met with disdain form all sides, no matter who the target is. This should be a forum of ideas, not bully tactics and cliques.
I will make a pledge right now, and I invite all members here to chime in and take it with me.
I pledge:
…to sign on to this forum for the purpose of discussing my thoughts & opinions in a civil manner.
…to never use profanity .
…to never indulge in name calling.
…to never indulge in personal attacks.
…to meet personal attacks upon myself with logical refutation, not by returning in kind.
…to abide by the all rules of this forum.
I feel that if everyone stuck to these tenets, there would be much more productive, interesting & fun discussion here. You will never see me knowingly break this pledge. If you think I have, please call me on it.
If you do not wish to take it with me, no hard feelings.
Regards, Canis