Sorry bert, had I of known that that thread existed, I probably wouldn't have started this thread. And not to kiss ass, but I do feel lik the mods here do a great job monitoring the convos. I've modded boards before. And let me be first to say, it's f ucking ROUGH. Seriously, tons of grey issues. And you never come out the good guy.

Oh and surprise! I just received a PM from a member of the boards telling me I was full of c rap. This member then proceeded to quote the Bible. I don't want to derail this convo, but seriously? Some of you crack me up haha

Quoted from albinopenguin Oh and surprise! I just received a PM from a member of the boards telling me I was full of c rap. This member then proceeded to quote the Bible.

Look at you ya little gossipmonger.   Quit being a drama queen, Will.  Only reason you started this thread in the first place was stir up the hornet's nest.   Nice try.     Get over yourself.

And now you're resorting to name calling M. That's very un-Christian like haha

Actually I'm not trying to stir up the hornet's nest at all. Instead, I'm trying to have an intellectual conversation about an issue that's been popping up on the boards. I'm not arguing religion. I'm discussing religion's presence on the boards.

And I'm really not gossiping if I don't reveal that person's name. I did it out of respect for you and to save your a ss. But hey, if you want to "out" yourself then be my guest.

Religion on the boards has definitely been discussed before but as this is in the context of script threads and not the boards at large, I'll indulge.

I actually think subjectivity and opposing ideas are good for script threads. They can be interesting and informative and basically liven up the environment, which I think is what good art does. I think this is important to note as it seems a lot of reviewers want to keep their comments as objective as possible and as a writer, I feel like I'm missing out in that sense. I think religious beliefs can fit into this so long as it's relevant (to the script's subject matter, not in general) and that members don't opt to waive civility (this happens a lot).

Some things to keep in mind...

If you write a script with what might be controversial subject matter, you have to consider the kinds of comments that might go with the territory. If you feel strongly about your beliefs, keep in mind the boards, the site at large, and its content weren't tailor-made to suit you. The scripts you read, you read at your own risk and usually (not always but most of the time) the logline will give you some insight into the script's content.

Either way, don't go looking for a fight. If someone insults you, that's a different story.

Also, perhaps most importantly of all, keep in mind the ultimate relevance this site holds in your life. Most, if not all, of these people, you won't ever even meet in person. The boards are meant to be informative, engaging, and fun. This is probably the worst place to get really butthurt about something.

There is no reason to discuss religion on SS, for two reasons:

   1.  This is a screenwriters' board;
   2.  It never gets anyway.  Has anyone ever converted from one religion to another after a
        discussion.  Does anyone here think that that such a conversion would actually happen?

A couple of years back there was a religious type here (I think his name was Jesusfreak).  Most of his posts consisted of "I stopped reading this after page three because a character used the Lord's name in vain and that's a sin."  Did his comments change anyone's writing style?  Hell no!  People still write the way they want to write.  Did this guy piss people off with his comments?  Hell yes!

I'm sure there are boards out there for those who wish to argue which is the right religion but, since there's no actual proof which the right religion is, the bullshit doesn't end.

The readers/writers' faith will always come up.  There are (atleast) three shorts and one feature that rely on religion in their stories.  If the only thing you can say about these scripts is that they shouldn't have been written because it's a sin blah blah blah, then you shouldn't comment at all.  It won't change things and you'll just end up annoying people.


Phil

As much as this online hissy fit is fun to watch, there is a better way for two opposite parties to solve their differences. It's called Dun, Dun, Dun... Screen writer showdown!

One faith-based script vs a religious bashing. Winner gets a free ticket to Nobodygivesashitville to brag about their victory.

James

Will,

So on one hand your concern is this...

Quoted from albinopenguin 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..

But then on your Bible Bedtime Stories' thread you say this...

Quoted from albinopenguin If the mods will allow it, I'd love to hear what those two words were. Michael and I had a brief private conversation. Very pleasant and docile over all. But I love what Christians have to say about this (and I'm not being facetious). Because ten years ago, I was in the exact same place Michael was standing. Call it nostalgia if you will. I read Michael's message with the happiest of grins. It means that I'm on the right track and encourages me to write more. Can't really explain why, but I promise you it's not out of an ill intentions. I think I like giving people a sense of purpose and fulfillment, a chance to stand up for what they believe in.

Seems like a major contradiction goin' on here.   I smell B.S.

Quoted from jwent6688 As much as this online hissy fit is fun to watch, there is a better way for two opposite parties to solve their differences. It's called Dun, Dun, Dun... Screen writer showdown! One faith-based script vs a religious bashing. Winner gets a free ticket to Nobodygivesashitville to brag about their victory. James

Count me in.  I eat albino penguins for breakfast.  

Quoted from James McClung Or they can stick to private messaging, where two parties can treat each other as shitty as they want.

I already tried that.  Anytime I PM Will he goes public with my comments.  He likes the attention I guess.

Quoted Text As much as this online hissy fit is fun to watch, there is a better way for two opposite parties to solve their differences. It's called Dun, Dun, Dun... Screen writer showdown! One faith-based script vs a religious bashing. Winner gets a free ticket to Nobodygivesashitville to brag about their victory. James

Or they can stick to private messaging, where two parties can treat each other as shitty as they want.

I don't think ignoring the issue is a solution. Saying that we shouldn't discuss religion on the boards is like saying we shouldn't discuss music on the boards. Yes, it's a screenwriter's forum and screenwriting should be the primary focus. But religions is going to pop up whether we like it or not.

But I certainly agree with you dogglebe about people arguing and then leaving none the wiser. These religious debates solve nothing.

And M, you're taking my comments out of context. One was said in a thread about my script. I wanted people's religous feedback. Here, I'm asking for everyone's opinions. And given how diversified everyone's viewpoint is, I think the issue as a whole is worth examining.

M, I think James was being sarcastic. You've come at me again and again via PM. And I think it's trite. I think people deserve to know that you're going after people privately instead of on the boards. Because that could scare away other potential members. We should welcome every writer to the boards. It's how a forum grows. And sending PM's to people isn't going to help with that process. Instead it's going to turn people off. It has turned people off. Besides, I never mention your name anyways. But I do want people to know what's going on behind the scenes, yet still technically on SS.

Quoted from dogglebe There is no reason to discuss religion on SS, for two reasons:    1.  This is a screenwriters' board;    2.  It never gets anyway.  Has anyone ever converted from one religion to another after a         discussion.  Does anyone here think that that such a conversion would actually happen?

Religion is a search for truth. Writing is a search for truth. I think one of the big problems with the way some religion is practiced is that rather than being discussed, it's dictated.

The goal of discussing religion shouldn't be to convert someone to your point of view, but to explore together which ideas are worthy and helpful, or seem to represent truth, and which ideas aren't, or don't.

Religion is also one of the largest factors informing individual perspectives in the world, and our scripts and stories are inextricably linked to, and viewed with, those perspectives. So I think it's very closely related to screenwriting.

So I don't agree with either of the above arguments.

Quoted from dogglebe A couple of years back there was a religious type here (I think his name was Jesusfreak).  Most of his posts consisted of "I stopped reading this after page three because a character used the Lord's name in vain and that's a sin."  Did his comments change anyone's writing style?  Hell no!  People still write the way they want to write.  Did this guy piss people off with his comments?  Hell yes!

Obviously comments like that are totally non-constructive, but I don't see how they're a big deal. The reason they become problems is that people respond. It shouldn't be that hard to ignore pointless comments, especially if it's the same person consistently making them, as Don has thoughtfully provided us with the user block function. And if people want to respond, all power to 'em, but they shouldn't complain when threads then get derailed.

When it comes to evaluating a script, I think it's best to evaluate it on its own terms.

If it's a horror script, it seems kind of pointless to criticize it as too gruesome.

If it's a gangster script, silly to complain about swear words.

If it's a Christian themed script, why complain that it's too preachy?

Likewise, if it's a Christian parody, why declare a fatwah? Let it go.

It's Friday. I want to find Nobodygivesashitville and check out the beer. Have a good weekend everyone!

I remember JesusFreak. His name was Chris and he was 14.  

Quoted from KevinL It's Friday. I want to find Nobodygivesashitville and check out the beer. Have a good weekend everyone!

I'm heading there too in a few hours. Right now I'm waiting for someone to come and fix my window!  

Quoted from albinopenguin M, I think James was being sarcastic. You've come at me again and again via PM. And I think it's trite. I think people deserve to know that you're going after people privately instead of on the boards. Because that could scare away other potential members. We should welcome every writer to the boards. It's how a forum grows. And sending PM's to people isn't going to help with that process. Instead it's going to turn people off. It has turned people off. Besides, I never mention your name anyways. But I do want people to know what's going on behind the scenes, yet still technically on SS.

I've sent you two PM's.  To which you responded, then I responded.  Which makes a total of 4 PM's.  So please don't even try to come off like you're doing this to protect the boards.   Your script BBS blatantly spoofs the Bible then you get your beak bent out of shape when somebody calls you on it (In private, like I tried).  Then you start this thread under the guise that you're concerned or about religion on the boards?  Ah screw it.  Not worth my time.  Have a great day.

Quoted from Heretic Obviously comments like that are totally non-constructive, but I don't see how they're a big deal. The reason they become problems is that people respond. It shouldn't be that hard to ignore pointless comments, especially if it's the same person consistently making them, as Don has thoughtfully provided us with the user block function. And if people want to respond, all power to 'em, but they shouldn't complain when threads then get derailed.

Well said.

Umm M you didn't try to call me out in private. You posted two words then your post was removed by the mods. But bashing people over the head with Bible verses isn't constructive...no matter how you do it. And quoting Bible verses isn't going to help me with my screenplay.

Look, I'm not trying to go back and forth with you specifically. I wanted to have an open conversation. The reason I did it was because I saw another thread get sidetracked with a religious debate yet again. It's happened a few times now and I thought the issue should be addressed. I wanted to know how others approached the issue. Some go in completely objective while others bring their religion into it. I wanted to know people's reasoning behind it...and hopefully solve other threads from getting side tracked.

And it is a shame that people can't discuss religion. This is why I stopped doing so. Because people turn discussions into debates very quickly.

Let's all get a beer in Nobodygivesashitville! I'll buy the first round. You included M.

Quoted from Heretic Religion is a search for truth.

Science is a search for the truth.  Religion is the search for salvation and the breeding ground for superstition and hatred.

Quoted from Heretic The goal of discussing religion shouldn't be to convert someone to your point of view, but to explore together which ideas are worthy and helpful, or seem to represent truth, and which ideas aren't, or don't.

But it has to be a consensual discussion among all parties.  Thrusting your beliefs on those uninterested only creates friction.


Phil