Why...Just why?

[naftali1]

Ever since I joined the Escapist, I've been confused as to why people always bring up religions. What ever happened to being able to talk about games and enjoy it without caring what faith the person that is potentially halfway around the world follows? (Sorry for the awkward sentence, I really tried like 6 times to make it better)

It's just frustrating coming here to see what's up with the gaming community and seeing a bunch of flame wars about religions. I would appreciate it if anybody could give me a legit answer to this one.

EDIT: Sorry if I didn't get the point across in my initial attempt at this. I'm talking specifically about the fact that almost every religion thread turns into a flame war.

 

[Curtmiester]

Dude religions are always going to be a hot topic no matter where you are. I just try to do my best to ignore them.

 

[Cortheya]

we would be alot better if we could ignore religion on these forums

 

[zacaron]

I would love to give you an answer but I dont really understand it myself, might have something to do with the influx of new people we have seen.

 

[Noamuth]

It is a subject that a lot of people have at least some sort of opinion on. People like to talk (or argue) about it.. Pretty simple.

.. And, well, this is the Off-Topic part of the forums. What do you expect?

 

[naftali1]

Why do you care?
Are you insecure about your beliefs?

No. In fact I'm very secure in my beliefs and I love to discuss religion and find out about other people's beliefs. I just feel like the Escapist is not the place for it.

 

[Sane Man]

This is the off-topic discussion board. In the context of The Escapist, what is it off-topic from? Here it comes....VIDEO GAMES.

If this was a religion-based forum, it certainly would not be off-topic. Seriously, you cannot be that dense.

Let alone the fact that you are not forced by any measurable way to actually CLICK on a topic you are not interested in, and then proceed to read it.

 

[maddawg IAJI]

this is a site for educational discussions. religon is just another topic we can use and discuss.

 

[Bulletinmybrain]

It is a subject that a lot of people have at least some sort of opinion on. People like to talk (or argue) about it.. Pretty simple.

.. And, well, this is the Off-Topic part of the forums. What do you expect?

More threads about lesbians.

Just sayin'.

That said, a lot of people like to argue without know it.. Religion gives someone to argue.

 

[confernal]

I came for the videos.... stayed for the threads.

 

[the_prime_one]

Every off-topic section of forums I have been on, have had a religion thread. It's a rather interesting topic that people feel strongly about, why there is a large number with a large number of posters.

 

[Noamuth]

It is a subject that a lot of people have at least some sort of opinion on. People like to talk (or argue) about it.. Pretty simple.

.. And, well, this is the Off-Topic part of the forums. What do you expect?

More threads about lesbians.

Just sayin'.

That said, a lot of people like to argue without know it.. Religion gives someone to argue.

True and true again.

 

[naftali1]

This is the off-topic discussion board. In the context of The Escapist, what is it off-topic from? Here it comes....VIDEO GAMES.

If this was a religion-based forum, it certainly would not be off-topic. Seriously, you cannot be that dense.

Let alone the fact that you are not forced by any measurable way to actually CLICK on a topic you are not interested in, and then proceed to read it.

Ok, I guess I didn't really make as big a point of the whole flame war thing as I meant to. I don't mind the discussion but every religion thread I've ever clicked on was a flame war within about a page. No real discussion.

 

[Trivun]

When posting on threads that require an answer based on morals and ethics, or something more spiritual than most threads (for example, a recent thread about ghosts and Spiritualism), then I make a point of telling people that I'm Christian simply so that they can understand where I'm coming from with my views. However, otherwise I don't usually bother telling people my religion simply because it doesn't have any bearing on the topic. As a brief example, if a thread came up about views on the death penalty then I'd probably mention my religion there, as a precursor to making some comment on the ethics of capital punishment. However, I wouldn't dream of stating my religion on a thread about God of War (somewhat ironically). Religion is sometimes a valid point to talk about and sometimes it isn't. It just depends on the topic in question.

 

[Avatar Roku]

I would love to give you an answer but I dont really understand it myself, might have something to do with the influx of new people we have seen.

I'm not as willing as I once was to blame all the forum's problems on the new members. I've seen new members acting admirably and old ones flaming/trolling.

I take it this thread is in response to the recent thread about how religion is apparently for fools? I'm amazed any one even clicked on that thread, it had to have been the most obvious flame bait I'd ever seen.

 

[Glerken]

Why do you care?
Are you insecure about your beliefs?

No. In fact I'm very secure in my beliefs and I love to discuss religion and find out about other people's beliefs. I just feel like the Escapist is not the place for it.

That's why they are in the off topic forum. If the members of the Escapist aren't mature enough to have a thought out discussion about religion, then they should stay out of the thread. There's no problem with talking about religion, it's often the religious fanatics that are to closed minded the talk about a subject they may be wrong on. Notice I said often, it can also be the people on the exact side of the argument that cause problems.

 

[Inverse Skies]

The off-topic discussion is just that. Go to the gaming forum for gaming talk. Religion is always going to come up in here because it is an issue with many different sides and beleifs and people are never going to agree. If people don't agree then debate is always going to rage.

 

[Sane Man]

This is the off-topic discussion board. In the context of The Escapist, what is it off-topic from? Here it comes....VIDEO GAMES.

If this was a religion-based forum, it certainly would not be off-topic. Seriously, you cannot be that dense.

Let alone the fact that you are not forced by any measurable way to actually CLICK on a topic you are not interested in, and then proceed to read it.

Ok, I guess I didn't really make as big a point of the whole flame war thing as I meant to. I don't mind the discussion but every religion thread I've ever clicked on was a flame war within about a page. No real discussion.

That, is a good question. In order to do that you'd have to have a lot more policing and regulation to get rid of people that purposefully try to insult someone else, or bait them into an internet shouting match.

Otherwise, the only thing you can do is ask questions that can legitimately be debated, and have people respond that are honestly interested in understanding each other's positions, and pointing out strengths and weaknesses in them. That takes a lot of mature, thinking people who have that goal in mind.