Religion and Ethics board

[doversoul1]

Haven't those keen to have this 'Religion and Ethics' board got their own version of FF to set one up?

Nobody else is as lucky as we are.

[mangerton]

There are good arguments above for both sides. Generally, I am in favour of free speech, so I think that we should at least give it a trial. if I post, I'll try to be good!

[french frank]

I'll keep the poll open for a week, during which time a good enough number will probably have had a chance to see the thread.

Two points: the request didn't come from 'refugees from elsewhere' but from among the thoughtful, intelligent and articulate members of this forum

This is an opinion poll rather than a binding referendum, and a gauge of enthusiasm; in which respect the second option doesn't have the same strength as the first.

[pilamenon]

Don't see why we should act as a haven for refugees from elsewhere.

Well, it's something that Britain has a proud tradition of doing.

[Don Basilio]

There are good arguments above for both sides. Generally, I am in favour of free speech, so I think that we should at least give it a trial

But there's nothing to prevent us discussing such issues without a specific forum. I'm inclined to think there's therefore no need for a separate forum.

As a regular churchgoer, for whom religious terms are central to my understanding of humanity, I found the BBC Religion board abysmal and bottom-clenchingly embarrassing, but that was in large part because of the unsophisticated nature of a large number of the posters.

What I have noticed more and more is that unimaginative, fundamentalist, literalist, inconsiderate, intolerant posts come increasingly from anti-religionists.

[amateur51]

What I have noticed more and more is that unimaginative, fundamentalist, literalist, inconsiderate, intolerant posts come increasingly from anti-religionists.

I believe this is what is known as getting your retaliation in first

[Alison]

I believe I started an existence of God thread on the old Platform 3. It was a largely splendid affair, mercifully
free from the contribution of the now axed Religion and Ethics regulars.

Don Basilio has perfectly summed up my thoughts.

Gold star goes to DracoM on this occasion.

Don't do it, Frankie !! xXx

[Don Basilio]

(I know this is not rational ).

The heart has its reasons.

[aka Calum Da Jazbo]

..... how about a reason and ethics board?

[french frank]

..... how about a reason and ethics board?

What one can do, on Arts & Ideas, is flag up each new topic by putting "Reason & Ethics" at the beginning of each title.

The difference between this forum and the BBC messageboards is that the What's New list shows the latest posts in all the forums, whereas on the BBC boards, once you clicked on, say, Arts & Ideas, you were in a little enclosed world and didn't see what was going on elsewhere. On balance, I think there's more to be gained from our system, since it does allow people to chip in on boards they wouldn't normally visit if they see an interesting title. Hence the 'R&E' threads would not be hidden away.

[I can see an excellent possible item on the News website: the Dutch clergy who belong to the mainstream Protestant church but who neither teach nor believe in a 'God' or an afterlife. Just a thought - please not on this thread!]

[Serial_Apologist]

Now that's what I call Dutch Courage!

[makropulos]

I believe I started an existence of God thread on the old Platform 3. It was a largely splendid affair, mercifully
free from the contribution of the now axed Religion and Ethics regulars.

Don Basilio has perfectly summed up my thoughts.

Gold star goes to DracoM on this occasion.

Don't do it, Frankie !! xXx

Agreed! To me it seems inappropriate to this forum for all sorts of reasons, several of them eloquently expressed already by DracoM, Doversoul, and others.

[PhilipT]

I've voted in favour. As with all too many discussions on this subject nowadays, I find some of the arguments already presented terribly flimsy. If there's already enough R&E on Platform 3, why not separate it out so those who are keen can find each other more readily? And a forum that welcomes discussion of the world's greatest music but not discussion of one of the most powerful influences that inspired some of that music seems bizarre - how can it not be appropriate? (Just don't get me started on "The Ethics of Queue-Jumping at the Proms")

[french frank]

And a forum that welcomes discussion of the world's greatest music but not discussion of one of the most powerful influences that inspired some of that music seems bizarre - how can it not be appropriate?

Well, I voted in favour (mainly in a kind of facilitating way), but I will give a reason why it might not be 'appropriate' for this forum .

The fact that there are discussions about music is because that is what Radio 3 is largely about, and the forum was set up expressly to reflect the output and topics relating to Radio 3, and not classical music specifically. That is the connection between 'the world's greatest music' and this forum. The discussion on R3 of religious and ethical issues is confined to a few seasonal broadcasts of Belief (so perhaps the board could be seasonal - like the Proms which have been expanded for the season but will have a lower profile when the season is over?).

Underlying much of the opposition - I think - is the knowledge that people have difficulty discussing matters of faith with those whose views they disagree with, even despise, and become perhaps overly 'emotional' (less objective than objectionable ) and, for a forum which I think people appreciate particularly for being open and friendly, such a board might, regrettably, not be 'appropriate'. We don't want to see people make enemies of each other.

[doversoul1]

I've voted in favour. As with all too many discussions on this subject nowadays, I find some of the arguments already presented terribly flimsy. If there's already enough R&E on Platform 3, why not separate it out so those who are keen can find each other more readily? And a forum that welcomes discussion of the world's greatest music but not discussion of one of the most powerful influences that inspired some of that music seems bizarre - how can it not be appropriate? (Just don't get me started on "The Ethics of Queue-Jumping at the Proms")

I took ‘there is already enough on Platform3’ to be ‘enough opportunities if anyone wishes to start a thread’.

I think you have pointed the reason why I feel differently to a dedicated thread. Discussing religions in the context of classical music, even the connection is not explicit, is quite a different matter from talking about it in its pure form so to speak. I don't think online forums are suitable place for serious or reasonable discussions for the latter.