Why would I try?

[Sir Shfvingle]

Why would I try to express my opinion in these forums? Whether it be science, political or historical, I see that the instant someone states an opinion contrary to the "majority belief" in a forum, they get gobbled up and bashed in an instant. Conservatives are attacked in the "Mudpit", Creationists are mutilated in the Athenaeum, and "good ol' boys"(those who believe that some historical figures were actually decent and not aristocratic pigs) are slaughtered in the historical forums. So, I wonder to myself, why would I try to start a reasonable discussion if I am only to get screamed at for being an ignorant idiot. I don't think it's right that this occurs to one side and, for that matter, should occur at all. These forums should be civil. We should be able to unite as the nerds we are and get along while talking about our beliefs. If you see something that is "wrong" to you, you should not subject it to ridicule, but instead tell that person why you think otherwise. I say this from my point of view which is, at least in these forums, the minority. I don't mean to sound weak or demanding, just hopeful that my experience and others' here can be a better, more insightful one. Thank you. Now ridicule...

[Squiggle]

Weather it should be civil or not doesnt matter. The forum works in trends, anyway. A couple years back you would probably get jumped on if you defended Muslims more than the other way around. It depends on whats happening in the real world, the influx of newer members, whatever. If you want to prove your point because you think its a worthwhile belief to have, that should be enough impetuous to make the argument. If your just stubborn and egotistical- such as myself- then let pride be your guide. At the end of the day, while civility should be preferred, its also impossible, simply by virtue of the topics discussed.

[Sir Shfvingle]

In other words, tough it?

[Squiggle]

Pretty much.

[Corvis]

You shouldn't go to the Internet for reasonable and contemplative discussion.

[Marie Louise von Preussen]

If you love the truth, you must necessarily hate falsehood just as much. And therefore, if you think the people around defend falsehood, you must necessarily hate them so much, you may think it is useless to debate with them.

[Sir Shfvingle]

I do not hate them. i just do not believe they are right. However, I am willing to discuss our various points on the matter, if I have not been bashed already. And at this time, yes, I do belive it is useless to debate as that the majority against my view all think they are right without fault and will not listen to my ignorance. If this barrier of arrogance subsided, I would debate.

[Sir Shfvingle]

So, I should either tough it or leave, or I think I'm above debate. Not really the solution I hoped for but... life is life.

[Corvis]

People are people. Keep shaping your opinions, keep adapting your beliefs to new knowledge. But be ready to change your perception, because that's all the truth is anyway.

Basically, humans are stubborn morons and it'll just give you frustration if you hope most of them will be reasonable and courteous. Just IMO.

[The Dude]

But be ready to change your perception, because that's all the truth is anyway.

Except that's impossible.

[Sir Shfvingle]

I agree. Mostly. Sort of.

[Squiggle]

It's also important to consider that there are a few people here who are simply abrasive. If you are on the wrong side of the debate, Theist vs Atheist, Right vs left, they will simply condescend or outright insult you. So while you do have to take the bad with the good, thats only to a certain extent. TWC has a pretty handy ignore function, and obviously you can just voluntarily drop out of a conversation if the other person is just becoming unnecessarily abrasive. I've done that a few times.

[Corvis]

^And people who aren't part of either of the two sides are caught in the middle and ignored, or vilified by both sides at worst.

[Phier]

Conservatives are attacked in the "Mudpit",

The attacks kinda remind me of this....



So yea, tough it out

[Boer]

If you want to advance a minority view and have good sources to back you up (not just opinion or rumors or bunk) then your idea will be considered better and, generally, draw more reasoned responses. Unfortunately, much of what is on here is opinion backed up by nothing and tends to get attacked, especially when its an unusual opinion.

[Plant]

There is a difference in stating an opinion and stating a something as a fact which is wrong.
Everybody is entitled to their own opinion, but not their own facts.

Saying that you are Conservative is fine and that you vote for the Conservatives is fine.
Saying that Labour are scumbags is wrong.

Say that you believe in creation myths, that is fine.
Saying that creationism is true because the Bible say so is wrong.
It is doubly wrong to present false evidence in the science forum.

Don't know who the "good ol' boys" are, but I'm guessing roleplaying or lacking sources doesn't go down too well in a historical forum.

[Ludicus]

Why would I try?

As the poet said,
Everything is worthwhile / if the soul isn't small.

[MathiasOfAthens]

Creationists are definitely a minority, A HUGE ING Minority, in the Religion section but there are no minorities in the Mudpit... Conservatives gain up on liberals and liberals gain up on conservatives.

[Squiggle]

Oh come on Mathias, I can think of the major Conservative posters in the mudpit and they barely exceed a handful. Liberals on the other hand...quite a bit more. Yeah, depending on the thread Conservatives gang up on liberals, but in absolute terms there are far more regular liberal posters in the mudpit than the reverse. Just like theres more regular atheist, or even anti theist posters here, than the reverse. Thats just the demographics of TWC.

[MathiasOfAthens]

Oh come on Mathias, I can think of the major Conservative posters in the mudpit and they barely exceed a handful. Liberals on the other hand...quite a bit more. Yeah, depending on the thread Conservatives gang up on liberals, but in absolute terms there are far more regular liberal posters in the mudpit than the reverse. Just like theres more regular atheist, or even anti theist posters here, than the reverse. Thats just the demographics of TWC.

Depending on the thread maybe but I think the main posters are often split between liberals and conservatives. Theres prob more liberals though.