STOP the christian threads. Please. I'm begging you.

I feel like it's the same person. I respect you. You're probably a wonderful person. You might even be in my group. I feel like this is being shoved down my throat. I come to the community happy to discuss and every day I see one of your christian threads. I'm happy for you that you found christainty, that's great. There is a reason that faith is not allowed in public schools. PLEASE STOP.

Respectfully yours.

Fri. Apr 6, 10:38am

It's like a school yard bully: the only wat to move past is to ignore.

Friday, April 06, 2007, 10:41 AM

if it is one person, i think it's rather disruptive. i would remove the user, peer trainer but that's only one opinion.

Friday, April 06, 2007, 10:44 AM

Why read

These people are just expressing their opinion just as you have.
The great thing about it is that you have the option to bypass these threads.

Friday, April 06, 2007, 10:49 AM

This is not an expression of opinion anymore. This is an overbearing shout out and I'm sick of it. If you don't like my opinion, then skip mine. STOP the christianity threads. Please. I actually second the other opinion, it would be great to have the user removed at this point.

Friday, April 06, 2007, 11:04 AM

it's probably someone who works the website for PT.

Friday, April 06, 2007, 11:48 AM

It actually is not someone at PT. We are trying hard to avoid taking actions about content (as hard as that might be for us at times) We do focus on tone from time to time, in an attempt to make sure discussion is not thwarted. Sometimes people attempt to stifle debate, and we think that is not conducive to a healthy community. People should feel free to discuss any subject, and feel that their point of view should be respected. Now, if someone clearly abuses that, then we may take action. But only in extreme cases. Possibly the current one for example....

-PT

Friday, April 06, 2007, 11:56 AM

You know, I'm a born-again Christian and I hate these threads.

It's one thing to announce: "Christian Metabolic Furnace, join my group!" and another to start a thread to get into a religious debate.

And the argument: "You don't have to look" doesn't always work. Remember, this place is about a group of people that don't have a lot of willpower. Of course they're going to look.

And PT, don't be afraid to do a little regulation here and there. In the U.S., we have freedom of speech. However, that freedom is regulated to a point. I can't go into a movie theater and shout "Fire!" because of the first amendment. As such, PT is a far cry from the Constitution, but at least give the posters some warning to knock it off.

I've definitely stopped visiting the community section as much since all this started. But I'd hate to think that others stopped going to PT because of this topic (I think we should lump in abortion and politics while we're at it, btw).

And Christians, maybe if you'd learn to listen more than you speak, you'd be a better witness than you have been on here lately.

Friday, April 06, 2007, 12:05 PM

OP here, thank you, last poster. I feel heard. I appreciate it.

Friday, April 06, 2007, 12:09 PM

12:05- thank you for the comment, this is helpful.

-PT

Friday, April 06, 2007, 12:14 PM

TO OP

To OP, This is a public forum. What if I am offended by open sexual discussions about erections. Should I insist that that person, that is overjoyed to communicate something to others in this OPEN forum refrain from opening a thread? She has the same privilege to open a discussion here as you or I do. EQUAL..isn't that wonderful? I don't join any conversations that I am not interested in. This appears to be a test of your maturity and your people skills. I don't think you would like anyone to take away your right to free speech, would you?
You would not go into a library and ask for any Faith/Christian literature to be hidden away from your sight? Would you? I think it is great to live in a country where free speech is still honored. I don't agree with every thread I see, but I would never be so presumptuous as to censor my PEER. I know of a society that used the strong arm of censorship..Nazi Germany, and that began a persecution of my people the like of which had never been seen before. have the wisdom to know that your brand of intolerance is only the beginning. Live and let live.

Friday, April 06, 2007, 12:15 PM

Lets take a vote

12:15 -STFU. We are sick of you. I vote you off PT.

Friday, April 06, 2007, 12:19 PM

12:15pm - I am not offended by open sexual discussions about erections, but, if there were 5 current threads going around discussing how everyone is supposed to love and worship the cock all the time, then yes, I'd be upset about it too.

No one is saying that mentioning Jesus and/or Christianity in a thread, or asking a simple question, is inappropriate. What is inappropriate is that it's being repeated over and over, and in a manner that is clearly done in order to create tension between members. The threads are telling others what to do with their personal lives, and that not only are they wrong, but they're actually going to be punished (via going to hell) if they do not listen to what the OP is telling them. This is a forum for discussion, not a forum for trying to push your ideas onto others.

Friday, April 06, 2007, 12:25 PM

12:25- Another helpful point, thank you.

-PT

Friday, April 06, 2007, 12:30 PM

No problem!

-jilli10582

Friday, April 06, 2007, 12:32 PM

I have to say thatat elast on of the threads started by the Christian prosletizer (sp) became very informative and stimulating when it turned to a dicsussion of Jews and Christianity.

I don't think these threads should be deleted ... you never know where they might lead ! Much more intersting to me than wondering how to eat a pear ... not that I don't respoect the pear posters dilemna and need for support :-)

Friday, April 06, 2007, 12:57 PM

but who wants to wade through all the drivel about "stop these threads!" or "don't hate on me because I'm a Christian" or any of the like to get to the good stuff that can be in there. I agree with you that they can spark some good dialogue about somewhat unrelated things. But if its unrelated to the original post (ie, going to church, easter sunday, etc) start a new thread so those of us who are screening the topics but don't mind reading informative threads (even ones containing religion, so long as they are not judging or pushing ideas on others) can enjoy the discussion.

Friday, April 06, 2007, 1:14 PM

Perhaps the concept of "don't open the thread" escapes you. Go back and read the instructions.

Friday, April 06, 2007, 1:23 PM

the inly way to stop a thread is to not respond DUH!

Friday, April 06, 2007, 1:25 PM

These threads that force christian teachings on you or you're damned started a few weeks ago. It does seem like it's one person. I like to learn like the next person but it does seem to be propaganda- ish. The worst part is that they are making people uncomfortable and I think this is the main point.

Friday, April 06, 2007, 1:27 PM

The community is a great place to ask almost any question, no matter how personal. Most likely you'll get great answers. The PEERtrainer community is very welcoming to new users.

PT instructions

Friday, April 06, 2007, 1:31 PM

1:14 poster here

1:25 poster
but the people who are starting these threads and people like them are the ones that keep them going. Yes there's the odd person going "OMG I hate these threads, stop!" But they keep getting started and pushed forward by people also encouraging the original message

1:23
I don't know if you were replying to me or not, but I'm not opening or responding to these threads, so if any enlightened conversation is going on off the original religious topic (as the 12:57 poster said) I am not aware of it and am suggesting a new, unreligious thread be started. And lose the sarcasm please, if you want to point out something you disagree with, be adult about it.

Friday, April 06, 2007, 1:32 PM

1:23 poster

I bet any amount of money that you're the one pushing your christian values. Christanity sounds like it's been a great thing for you but other faiths are good for others. Don't push things onto people - you get the opposite reaction. I agree with the original poster. I also encourage you to think about others on this site. I bet some of them have encouraged you and you wouldn't want to make them feel awkward.

Friday, April 06, 2007, 1:40 PM

It is quite obviously the same person on this and all threads. Any ideas who it is? Is there anyone particularly grating in your group or team? I bet that is them.

Friday, April 06, 2007, 1:44 PM

We need some cyber-lions to feed her/them to.

Friday, April 06, 2007, 1:50 PM

Give it another week. It'll die. It's the Easter Christians and Passover Jews who start crap like this. I'm not offended, I just ignore it. I'm just making a comment because everyone is getting so irritated by it. Who Cares! maybe PT should have a function like Craigslist where you post your name and an anonymous remailer can send you comments.

Friday, April 06, 2007, 2:16 PM

I'm less bothered by someone proselytizing their religion, than people whining about it. Give it a break. You don't have to click their links. You don't have to read. You likely don't even need to spend your time on the internet in the first place. They have as much of a right to be here as you.

And how do we know it's not the same whiner complaining about the threads all the time?

And that cyber lion comment? That's offensive. People did once upon a time have the courage to die for their faith, and people who didn't like that faith had them killed. That's not funny. Someone said it's the passover jews starting this crap as well- how offensive would it be for someone to say "maybe we need some cyber gas chambers".

Friday, April 06, 2007, 2:32 PM

I think my cyber-lion comment offended far fewer people than the mindless drivel spouted by the local jesus freak.

Friday, April 06, 2007, 3:02 PM

I think most of the faith people are quite thoughtful and generous (helpful) in thier responses to questions. Polite. The aggressive ones are not the faith people. If I were to choose a path according to the demeanor of the two views, I would decide for the faith people. The others act as though they are bereft of basic human values.

Friday, April 06, 2007, 3:33 PM

I don't like when people are mean to anyone.

Friday, April 06, 2007, 3:34 PM

STOP the christian threads

I'm wondering why should the threads be stopped. If you don't like them, don't read them. It's that simple. As a clinical therapist, I'm wondering what about them is bothering you so much? What nerve is it touching? There is nothing harmful to anyone in these threads. This person is not hurting animals, children or themselves. They seem to only be bothering you. Quite frankly, I don't like them either, but guess what? I don't read them. Yours, however, I find much more intriguing as you are reacting so strongly to them.
Just wondering.

Friday, April 06, 2007, 3:35 PM

to the clinical therapist:

Ahhh...comrade, I see what you're doing. You must admit that the person starting the christian threads is narcissistic. While it's fascinating to think why it's bothering the OP, it seems to be bothering more than the OP. It is equally fascinating to think about the reasons that the christian propogandist spreads her (or his) narcissistic whims.

Friday, April 06, 2007, 3:55 PM

What an assumption: "people of no faith are agressive while people with faith are polite and kind. We all know what assumptions do.

Friday, April 06, 2007, 3:58 PM

Any propogandist would (and will) get the same treatment. If someone was pushing the virtues of planting orange tulips for example, and did so over and over, that person would be told to politely cease. If they did not they would be told to STFU, and probably thought insane. I think that the Jesus poster probably needs some help in some way, and this posting is actually quite theraputic for them. If you dig deep into any zealot, you'll find a jackpot of unresolved psychological issues.

Friday, April 06, 2007, 5:17 PM

To 5:17

And what unresolved psychological issue cause you to insist on the erradication of views or orange tulips that don't appeal to you? Do you know? Have you tracked them?

Friday, April 06, 2007, 5:50 PM

Oh, 5:50, if you can't see that it's the way someone handles their beliefs and not that they actually have that belief, then maybe you should look into some remedial reading comprehension therapy.

Friday, April 06, 2007, 6:12 PM

Couldn't we put a stop to all of this by not allowing the posts to be anonymous?

Friday, April 06, 2007, 6:57 PM

If you don't like something just don't read it. Why are you wasting your time and energy even bothering to post this. You get to choose which threads you want to read and participate in, so you have a choice and control. If its a religious thread don't read it, don't even post if it bothers you.

Friday, April 06, 2007, 7:05 PM

I don't understand why the OP posted this. There really haven't been any new 'christian' threads posted. (Unless you can count the one about the monty python movie, which can hardly be characterized as a christian thread despite the subject).

Also my experience has been totally the opposite of the 12:25 poster who said they are inappropriate because they are posted
"in a manner that is clearly done in order to create tension between members. The threads are telling others what to do with their personal lives, and that not only are they wrong, but they're actually going to be punished (via going to hell) if they do not listen to what the OP is telling them."

I'm not saying that hasn't been the 12:25 posters experience, but it has NOT been my experience. I haven't found anything offensive or out of line. The point being, if PT choses to regulate these types of thread you are opening a big can of worms. You are setting the precedent for anyone to be offended by any topic and asking for them to be removed.

Leave the threads alone. People can pass them by and not read them. People should have the freedom to post what they want, and people should have the freedom to read what they want.

The 3:35 post is extremely insightful. The threads of these subjects may be annoying to many, but no one else is posting a new thread begging for them to be removed. Why is this OP so determined to censure a certain group of people?

Friday, April 06, 2007, 7:46 PM

And besides, aren't the vegans, the anti-dairy people, the calorie counters, and the rest of us all telling what people should do with their eating (pretty essential part of life!!) and saying possibly punishment (weight gain/inability to lose weight) will ensue if they don't follow our advice???

I mean, I for one think calorie counting prevents people from focusing on eating natural whole foods, which I think is bad. I think ellipticals cause more long term problems than walking, and that walking is a waaaaaay better form of exercise. I also think that the constant promotion of whole wheat can have negative effects on the many undiagnosed celiacs and those with gluten intolerance. And I'm allowed to say that here! So can I only tell people how to live their lives in relation to diet and exercise?

This is the LOUNGE community. You can talk about whatever you want. Someone wants to voice their opinion and tell others about it, I say that's their right.

Friday, April 06, 2007, 7:55 PM

7:46...I thought the same thing about the OP bringing back the religion thing, because I was under the impression that we'd moved on to shower spam as the most annoying multi-topic on the board. But a quick look around noon showed a brand spanking new "Happy Resurrection Sunday" (looks like it's been deleted? Yay, victory!!), a revival of the getting ready for church thread, and one other I can't remember all topping the board around the same time.

Friday, April 06, 2007, 8:14 PM

hey- resurrection sunday is a marathon of vampire/zombie/undead "resurrection" films on Scream on Sunday.

Friday, April 06, 2007, 8:50 PM

Well, the thread sounded like the same person posting some form of "have a blessed easter" about 4 times. I definitely like the horror moviefest idea MUCH better.

Friday, April 06, 2007, 9:12 PM

How disappointing...

...that a thread about resurrection Sunday was deleted. I'm not sure why such a thread would have been posted on Good Friday. However, since PT removed it I don't know what the content was and can't judge fairly

Hey, back in December The Merry Christmas threads weren't deleted - why not?
There were a handful of threads about valentines day - why did these not offend anyone? Maybe because this day has been so commercialized by society, but I've got news for everyone: Valentine was a SAINT!!!
How about the Happy St. Paddy's Day thread. Should you go back and delete that one, because St Patrick was a SAINT too!

In my opinion, in a very hypocritical way, PT moderators have bowed down to a few whiny posters at the expense of many. Sad.

Saturday, April 07, 2007, 5:29 AM

I know that PT moderators must understand that squashing free speech and equal rights for all is much more far reaching than PT. Someone just got excited and deleted a good wish for all those who celebrate Easter or Resurrection sunday, whatever you want to call it, that is discrimination.....Our civil rights were based on the Bible. Love your nieghbor as yourself. They are there to provide liberty for ALL, not some.

Saturday, April 07, 2007, 10:56 AM

1 Corinthians 14:33 tells us that "God is not the author of confusion, but peace."
The posters of these religious threads might want to read this and abide by it if they are trying to live a Christian life. While I am a Christian I don't believe we should try to shove it down the throats of others.

Saturday, April 07, 2007, 6:49 PM

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