The problem is that what is acceptable by one person, is not acceptable by another. Hence the (perceived?) need to avoid the topic entirely. It isn't the discussion of politics per se, but rather the severity of disagreement - of one person becoming upset or abusive, or both.
Surely, if you want to discuss politics for politics sake, find the appropriate platform. If you want to discuss gardening matters, come to the GW forum. As a certain someone sitting close to me would say, it's not rocket science!! Some gardening matters will involve political issues, but keep it cool. Problems also occur when people of different nationalities clash. It can become unpleasant. As @Dovefromabove mentioned elsewhere, the moderators have certain legal responsibilities to EVERYONE, so yes, if we want this forum to continue, then we need to keep to their rules. If we don't like it, then we follow pansyface. The minority shouldn't cause the downfall of GW forum, and spoil things for the majority.
Sadly, @pansyface is one of several who have now left, taking with them a wealth of gardening experience and many other qualities. I have no wish to discuss politics on a politics forum, they are foul places, whereas here I have discussed politics happily for several years. Yes, sometimes it gets nasty, but posts are removed, or sometimes people and everything is fine again. @rowlandscastle444, you regularly mention religion, a subject a many of us find offensive, I assume you will be refraining from this, or to we have to ask for this to be banned.
How can you lie there and think of England When you don't even know who's in the team
I have no problem with someone stating that they are a Christian, a moslem, a Sikh, a Buddhist, an observant Jew or a Jedi for that matter … any more than I would object to someone stating that they’re a confirmed vegan, vegetarian or omnivore.
However I would object strongly to any attempt to evangelize or for anyone to to tell me that I am wrong for enjoying eating venison, pigeon, pork or lobster etc.
i suppose that’s not so different to some folk objecting if I tell them that I believe their political beliefs are wrong-headed.
Back in the days when I regularly attended our village ‘local’ I remember lots of political discussions … vigorous debates conducted without rancour and with respect for one another’s’ views. However, whenever an election loomed close and sensitivities were heightened the landlord would ban political discussion ‘for the duration’ … it ensured the company remained good humoured and … an added bonus … it ensured that no political candidates dared cross the pub’s threshold … 👍
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
@punkdoc I accept that I have mentioned religion on occasions. If you want me banned because of that, just send me a private message, and you can have your way.
I think there is a big difference between mentioning that one is a Labour voter, and saying something insulting about people who vote another way. The first is acceptable, the second shouldn’t be. In the same way, I think that there is a big difference between mentioning that one is an atheist, and saying something rude about followers of any religion and vice versa. We are all entitled to have our own views respected, but should respect the rights of others to hold differing views. I suspect that if everyone was polite to each other, things would calm down again. I would hate to lose the non gardening threads, which I’ve really enjoyed.
My religion whether true or not, teaches kindness, forgiveness and tolererance. I would never try to force it on someone or get into an evangalising argument. I'm not a JW. We should respect each others' views, as @Ergates says.
If one were to say "I did some gardening after going to church this morning" or "I helped at the church summer fair" would that be talking about religion @punkdoc?
@rowlandscastle444 I don't think you should leave because of 1 or 2 people's views. I, and I am sure there are others, don't want you to leave. I've had very unpleasant PMs in the past because I mentioned religion, when asked. I didn't leave. Why should I? I'm here mostly for the gardening, especially at one time not to feel alone in my love of gardening while living in an area where no one else seemed interested.
Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
I don't know what your religion is, but I vaguely object to comments about religion, when those comments attempt to whitewash a religion that has a factual history of violence, abuse, extortion, greed....
You say about not attacking people - may be (see what I did there?) I'm a sensitive soul, but I thought that you in the past had used ad-hominem attacks? Did I misread what you were saying?
@steveTu, I don't think I understand what you mean. I haven't mentioned attacking people or not and, as far as I am aware, I've never attacked anyone on this forum. Maybe you misread me or are thinking of someone else.
Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
Posts
When you don't even know who's in the team
S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
It isn't the discussion of politics per se, but rather the severity of disagreement - of one person becoming upset or abusive, or both.
Surely, if you want to discuss politics for politics sake, find the appropriate platform. If you want to discuss gardening matters, come to the GW forum. As a certain someone sitting close to me would say, it's not rocket science!!
Some gardening matters will involve political issues, but keep it cool.
Problems also occur when people of different nationalities clash. It can become unpleasant.
As @Dovefromabove mentioned elsewhere, the moderators have certain legal responsibilities to EVERYONE, so yes, if we want this forum to continue, then we need to keep to their rules.
If we don't like it, then we follow pansyface. The minority shouldn't cause the downfall of GW forum, and spoil things for the majority.
I have no wish to discuss politics on a politics forum, they are foul places, whereas here I have discussed politics happily for several years. Yes, sometimes it gets nasty, but posts are removed, or sometimes people and everything is fine again.
@rowlandscastle444, you regularly mention religion, a subject a many of us find offensive, I assume you will be refraining from this, or to we have to ask for this to be banned.
When you don't even know who's in the team
S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
i suppose that’s not so different to some folk objecting if I tell them that I believe their political beliefs are wrong-headed.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
I accept that I have mentioned religion on occasions. If you want me banned because of that, just send me a private message, and you can have your way.
I'm sorry that I have offended you.
We are all entitled to have our own views respected, but should respect the rights of others to hold differing views. I suspect that if everyone was polite to each other, things would calm down again.
I would hate to lose the non gardening threads, which I’ve really enjoyed.
If one were to say "I did some gardening after going to church this morning" or "I helped at the church summer fair" would that be talking about religion @punkdoc?
@rowlandscastle444 I don't think you should leave because of 1 or 2 people's views. I, and I am sure there are others, don't want you to leave. I've had very unpleasant PMs in the past because I mentioned religion, when asked. I didn't leave. Why should I? I'm here mostly for the gardening, especially at one time not to feel alone in my love of gardening while living in an area where no one else seemed interested.