Discussion: the action or process of talking about something in order to reach a decision or to exchange ideas.

[Pavlos Maros]

Discussion forums exist primarily to exchange perspectives and debate concepts, not to target individuals. They are spaces where ideas can be examined, challenged, and refined through thoughtful interaction.

When participating in forums, it's helpful to remember that statements made are usually about concepts rather than personal critiques. The word "you" is often used in a general, hypothetical sense rather than directed at specific participants.

Misinterpreting this common communication style can lead to unnecessary defensiveness, which can disrupt the natural flow of ideas.

When participants take statements personally, discussions become derailed, and the exchange of ideas suffers. Constantly stopping to demand clarification or to express offense breaks the momentum of thought and prevents deeper exploration of the topic. This often stifles productive conversation and discourages others from contributing.

The most valuable forum discussions occur when participants focus on engaging with the ideas presented rather than reacting to perceived slights. By understanding that discussions are about concepts and not individuals, we can maintain spaces for open and meaningful exchanges without the interruptions that fragment discourse.

 

[Mendalla]

The flipside to this is to make sure that your posts can't be taken personally. e.g. Suggesting that someone is "stupid (or whatever) to believe something" or similar when you know people in the discussion believe that is basically an invitation to take it personally. Word your posts to critique the beliefs, and skip the sniping at the believers. That said, I would prefer that people feeling that they have been attacked in such a way report such posts rather than turn the thread into a shitshow. Let the mods sort it out so the thread stays on track.

 

[paradox3]

This could be a very worthwhile discussion and I will follow it with interest.

But I decline to participate this time around. I was very involved in all the conversations when we created our statement of Community Values. I think this was about 18 months ago.

It's a good time for some fresh perspectives.

 

[Jaebius]

This is a good post. It is so important to keep discussions constructive and focused. I also feel that clarity is key to keeping the flow of ideas smooth. If one wants to make a general statement, it's perhaps best if they don't make it as a direct reply to another poster.

That said, I truly appreciate WC2 as a place where we can share thoughts. This post is such a great reminder to approach conversations with kindness and patience

 

[Northwind]

I mostly agree with this idea. That being said, there have been some very clear insults thrown around here and on other online forums. Sadly, too many people would rather insult than engage.

 

[Mystic]

I mostly agree with this idea. That being said, there have been some very clear insults thrown around here and on other online forums. Sadly, too many people would rather insult than engage.

But when posters like you engage with insults they deserve to have their insults put into their place with evidence and with no apology.

 

[Northwind]

But when posters like you engage with insults they deserve to have their insults put into their place with evidence and with no apology.

That's what is called projection.

 

[chansen]

But when posters like you engage with insults they deserve to have their insults put into their place with evidence and with no apology.

You have no concept of "evidence". You're a con artist, and a stain on this place.

 

[Mendalla]

How did I know this would turn into yet another s**tshow? In before the lock, as we used to say on another site.

 

[Mystic]

chansen,

You are too much of a dumbass too ingnorant to recognize that I'm not presenting MY evidence, but the evidence of feminist history scholars concerned with the rise and fall of female dignity and status in early Christianity.

Some of my academic sources:
Karen Torjesen, "When Women Werre Priests"
Rosemary Ruether, "Religion and Sexism: Images of Women in Jews and Christian Tradition"
Leonard Swidler, "Biblical Affirmations of Woman"

 

[chansen]

Doesn't matter. You're a charlatan with a s**t personality. You have no grasp on the concept of evidence therefore we can safely ignore any you claim to bring.

 

[WC2Mods]

The poster Mystic has been suspended for one month. Hopefully, at least for the month, the discussion on "Discussion" can be civil, sans insulting language. Thank you for watching what you post.

 

[chansen]

I used to get him to leave for 3 months by threatening to invite his congregation or his Bible study here.

Still, we'll take what we can get. Thanks.

 

[Jaebius]

How did I know this would turn into yet another s**tshow? In before the lock, as we used to say on another site.

You've always been good at calling them

 

[Northwind]

Thanks mods.

 

[BetteTheRed]

Pavlos, thank you so much for the reminder.

I try and fail sometimes to treat discussion as it should be: a kindly lobbed volley into another's court.

 

[Delightful Life]

Amen Pavlos, Amen

I also like using something from improv, where the 1 rule is don't block. Yes, and rather than no, but

Keep the conversation going

I have called this Conversational Jazz or Riffing

Arminius and I made an amazing team. Oh and Pan. He could riff divinely

I have had a blast over the years playing around with my brain, showcasing all these various little things I have found from various traditions, showing how we can confuse words with what they describe, how we can be "hypnotized" with words, how our conceptions and beliefs and education and language can form a structuring and filtering process that edits what we think of as the world, of how confirmation bias edits our world, how feelings can affect what we see, how even before something gets to our brain we have already decided what it Is and what it isn't...

More maybe and it seems...the word sombunall :3

Model agnosticism

Perspectacles, reality tunnels, semantic glosses, frames, poetry to prose to technical writing to sacred works...

How each media has its own inherent biases that shapes the information it transmits...

I miss the days when everything was new here

When it seemed everyone was making it up as they went along

When I knew not very much aboot Christianity so I came to WC1: Original Spice to find oot

When there seemed to be less Politics around and more playful investigation with no purpose but to explore together

It is all voluntary

I miss people like revjohn -- he was SUCH a good and patient explainer

I find each person's uniqueness changes this place, adds to the overall umwelt

It is still my fav community I have ever been a part of. Definitely the longest

We have certainly made some special bonds here

 

[Delightful Life]

I also had an amazing time at trying oot being as open source as possible, letting and encouraging people interpreting me here as they saw fit

There were some doozies :3

One of my experiments never panned oot; I once thought of an idea of creating a WC login that anyone could use. I liked the idea of a kind of MPD identity

I also miss Mad Monk. He had this one thread where he posted him sitting in the wilderness somewhere and people would travel far to get there to ask him questions which we would

VERY engaging and entertaining

 

[Pavlos Maros]

Pavlos, thank you so much for the reminder.

I try and fail sometimes to treat discussion as it should be: a kindly lobbed volley into another's court.

I've been keeping my emotions in check for a while now, ever since I got angry with someone and called them something rude (No! I won’t repeat it). But what I’ve noticed most is how some people tend to assume you're talking about them. That is the real crux of the matter.

 

[Luce NDs]

Doesn't matter. You're a charlatan with a s**t personality. You have no grasp on the concept of evidence therefore we can safely ignore any you claim to bring.

That's ultimate power demand ... declared dangerous by those with powers of prophecy and then the others that don't car to look that far off ... they just want power (I regardless) without impact or consequence ... thus the consequence becomes sacred, hidden and Gnostic ... awaiting diagnostics ... related to despised analysis ... thus destructive use! It wears poorly on the blind ... as ewes and fuzzy ... phuns?

In short form we know nothing because of departure of a mystery ... it is how the shadow goes ... elusive? Whose ah Loo' ... when your end is freed up ... it departs ... hang onto it while it is with you as the old adage declared ... embrace it ... then kiss it goodbye g'url! It'll take off as if possessed ... don't laugh men ... it happens ... its the runoff stage ... Lucille ... maybe a wild mount .. a raging "C"?