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Mods, feel free to move this thread to wherever you feel it's most appropriate. Furthermore, I won't take any offense if you decide to close this thread (for obvious reason).
My question/concern is this, does religion have a place on the boards? I've seen lots of disputes recently over religion (and participated in some). Now my writing and religion often go hand in hand. But should religion play a role when it comes to reviewing a script? Often times I see members posting subjective viewpoints rather than objective ones. And they tend to get a bit preachy from time to time.
Should religion play a role in your review? And if so, to what degree?
And is there a way to direct all religious conversation/debates to a different thread rather than hijacking one focusing on a particular script? People often veer off into debates, and that's fine, but not when it's distracting others from a script. Don't get me wrong, the mods have been GREAT about monitoring this. But is there a way to tell posters to stop debating in one thread and instead debate in another? Maybe people are getting so uptight and vocal about their beliefs because there isn't a thread for them to express their religious viewpoints.
Just a thought. I'm curious what others have to say.
I remember the homosexuality thread - 'not that there's anything wrong with that'
That was a goodie...but it was a thread all on its own not an offshoot discussion from a script. I do believe it was in the General Section. Just saying, we've had these types of discussions before.
Everyone has their POV, but I agree it would get a lil frustrating if they derail a script thread. They normally get nipped in the bud, by Bert usually, from my experience. A bit like saying: 'take this one outside guys'.
I've always seen SS as a place where people are completely honest when giving a review. If your religion shapes who you are and your own personal beliefs on writing, then why shouldn't it be included in reviews?
I, myself am a little confused as to what religion I should follow. It is for this reason that I appreciate these discussions/debates on religion. For me, I'm incredibly interested in seeing what other people think about God and I'm quite happy to read these points of views. My dad was kicked out of a church once simply because he had a different view on what Christianity should be. After that, I was a little more reluctant to follow a religion that saw it as right to banish others from their church. Of course, not all Christians are like that, but that particular experience shaped my more modern belief on the Bible and what it appeared to preach. I regard myself as Christian, but I believe in other issues (which I dare not mention) which Christianity is strongly against.
Religion is something that shapes us. A part of reviewing a script is expressing yourself. If your religion shapes your opinion, why shouldn't we feel comfortable to openly bring the issue up in a review?
Very often conversations that are not related to script threads will get deleted at a later point. It's easier to delete the conversation once people have forgotten about it (otherwise people complain about their posts being deleted and you end up having to delete those posts too). Like the discussion that probably prompted this thread for you will likely be deleted before too long.
Generally we as moderators do ask people to take conversations not about the script to another thread. However, it's not always that easy to tell if the conversation doesn't belong in the thread and it's always not easy to get people to move a conversation to another thread. Sometimes, even when we try not to, we end up getting dragged into the discussion (because we're human). Therefore, we delete it later.
But it's not all on us mods, if you're going to write a script about religion, conspiracies, or politics then you better expect that discussions related to these subjects are going to pop up in your thread. If it's really bugging you and it's your script thread then you can ask us to put a stop to it immediately. Just send a PM.
If it's not a script thread then pretty much any discussion is considered valid as long as you aren't attacking another person on the board or trolling. If the thread goes off on a tangent then that's pretty much the breaks of forum discussions.
I remember the homosexuality thread - 'not that there's anything wrong with that'
I remember that thread too, it was a doozy. I believe we've had religion threads before but I think they got out of hand and ended up getting locked, deleted and people were banned or left the boards. I wouldn't have participated in those discussions because I know better but I remember seeing the thread.
I think religion/lack thereof should totally play a role in your review if you're consciously aware of the fact that it's affecting how you view the script. Religious and spiritual beliefs aren't a less or more valid basis for a response to a script than any other, even at the level of knee-jerk response -- if you're reading a script and then you suddenly think, "Wow, I am totally not on board with this scene because it offends me due to my beliefs, and I think my friends would feel the same way, and I don't think it's supposed to offend"...isn't that something that you, as a writer, would want to be made aware of?
Not that offense is the only response. I know my roommate, for example, can really appreciate Von Trier on a technical level, but can't connect with his stories due to his perception of the totally nihilistic tone of the films. Because he believes in a god with an intent for humans, the nihilism is off-putting, not because he disagrees with it (which of course he does), but because the film is operating on fundamental assumptions that he doesn't share, so he can't ever really feel comfortable during the viewing -- he has to consistently remain aware of what the film assumes that he doesn't, and vice versa.
And I'm sure there are many similar problems. We should all be aware of ideological biases while reviewing, and I think mention them if we're aware that they're the primary cause of a reaction to a script or certain aspect of a script.
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And I guess I'll say I remember the homosexuality thread, too. Hee hee.
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And I guess I'll say, regarding the above post, that whatever god there is has only got love for ya, and it might put you in some kinda heaven but it's sure not gonna put you in some kinda hell, cuz it's only got love and that's whatcha do for loved ones, your best. So I hope none of y'all worried about a hell, cuz if there's one thing this world doesn't need it's more fear.
Totally agree, obviously because my thread was hijacked.
Quoted from Will
And is there a way to direct all religious conversation/debates to a different thread rather than hijacking one focusing on a particular script? People often veer off into debates, and that's fine, but not when it's distracting others from a script. Don't get me wrong, the mods have been GREAT about monitoring this.
Disagree with this though, considering 2 mods where actually part of the hijacking and other 3 are well established here on S.S. So as the saying goes.... it's one rule for one
Mark
and yes mods i'm still pissed and I need my coffee
I apologize if you feel I was bashing you. i know what a great job you all do keeping S.S running, but 30 threads back and forth with zero to do with my script was kinda getting out of hand don't you think..and I know at one point you referenced to keep it about my thread. It then continued for 12 more replies and again.. nothing about the script The fact it was 5 well established people on this site and not newbies... they should know better
My reply was based solely on MY SCRIPT and not what you do as a whole.
When I read a script, I try to keep an open mind ...and see if the story works. Even if it's not 'my cup of tea' I don't let it sway my total opinion of the script.
i know what a great job you all do keeping S.S running, but 30 threads back and forth with zero to do with my script was kinda getting out of hand don't you think..and I know at one point you referenced to keep it about my thread. It then continued for 12 more replies and again.. nothing about the script The fact it was 5 well established people on this site and not newbies... they should know better
My reply was based solely on MY SCRIPT and not what you do as a whole.
Mark
Get over it man.
The MOD’S explained in the best way they can that sometimes conversations happen.
It was prompted by your script and when people have an opinion, which is what tends to happen…
A conversation ensues…
But to act like your thread was dragged behind the wood shed and gangbanged by the elders is ridiculous.
Hijacking averted…
And you didn’t even have to pay a ransom…
In short: there is nothing on your thread to show the conversation ever took place…
Great discussion. Seriously, I've read all of your responses and I'm impressed.
Michael (the mod), I think you said it best. And I think your approach to the issue is the most efficient. Let everyone get it out and then delete the entire debate.
And I feel like one's religious beliefs should play a role in his/hers comments. Personally, I love it when people get p issed off about what I write. I love stirring people up. And I think I've made that pretty clear.
Yet at the same time, I not going to bash a pro-Christian script just because it's pro-Christian. I can put most of my beliefs aside and review the script objectively. And the last thing I would do is try and start an argument. And I feel most of you are this way as well. But there a few who insist on "witnessing" (and in their defense, they have to lest they too be cast into the depths of hell). Any maybe there's a place for this on the boards...but in a seperate thread.
It just appears to me that some people have a lot to say about religion. And that's cool. But can they take it elsewhere? According to the mods (and history), that's nearly impossible to do.
Overall, I think the current method works best. Just figured a healthy discussion on the topic couldn't hurt. Could also remind us all how to approach such touchy subjects.
Those who are genuinely curious about this topic are welcome to peruse this thread -- a poll -- where I broached the topic looking to the members for some guidance.
Privately, Don asked me why I was inviting people to hit me over the head with a sack of hammers -- but he also let us go with it for a while.
The thread is now locked -- but the conversations and poll results are sort of interesting -- and I still use those poll results to kind of guide how I handle this issue. (For people who think I just delete stuff and don't give a sh*t).
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Religion and the Boards
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