SteveStrummerUK
 
Seems pretty ironic that the forum police only seem to get involved and start locking threads and warning people because of overt religious comments when it's the atheists round here who are deemed to have crossed the line.
 
 

With all due respect Steve (and I do have much respect for your candid honesty), please open up a another thread for any issues you're having with the 'forum police'.
 
Since I do have famiiy and friends who live in the San Bernardino area, out of compassion and charity of heart for the living & dead, I offer my thoughts and prayers.
 
Whether you pray or not or have any thoughts about it or not is certainly up to you, but the fact is that the whole western world is under attack/at war with these barbarians, and the truth is they really won't check to see if you're an atheist or a Christian before blowing you up. 
 
 

Mesh

SteveStrummerUK
 
Seems pretty ironic that the forum police only seem to get involved and start locking threads and warning people because of overt religious comments when it's the atheists round here who are deemed to have crossed the line.
 
 

With all due respect Steve (and I do have much respect for your candid honesty), please open up a another thread for any issues you're having with the 'forum police'.
 
Since I do have famiiy and friends who live in the San Bernardino area, out of compassion and charity of heart for the living & dead, I offer my thoughts and prayers.
 
Whether you pray or not or have any thoughts about it or not is certainly up to you, but the fact is that the whole western world is under attack/at war with these barbarians, and the truth is they really won't check to see if you're an atheist or a Christian before blowing you up. 
 
 

Mesh, I love you man, and please understand that my comments were not meant to be construed as a personal slight.
 
To me, it's explicitly clear that we should leave religion at the door when we enter the Cakewalk forums (except of course in the Song Forum and in individuals' signatures). I don't see how offers/mentions of prayer fall outside that remit.
 
Let me ask you this. If another forum member had started a thread in here concerning the same incident entitled "My Thoughts And Prayers", and the premise of the OP was to validate the attack, and to celebrate the martyrdom of the author's 'brother' and 'sister' who undertook this act, would you think it appropriate?
 
 
 

SteveStrummerUK
 
Let me ask you this. If another forum member had started a thread in here concerning the same incident entitled "My Thoughts And Prayers", and the premise of the OP was to validate the attack, and to celebrate the martyrdom of the author's 'brother' and 'sister' who undertook this act, would you think it appropriate?
 
 

I understand the point you're trying to make and yes, the title possibly does cross the line, especially if one is harping on being stringent with the rules. We being regulars in here and seeing that for the most part, we are all rational people whom can still reason and differentiate good from bad, I went ahead and posted it.
 
Of course, I wouldn't think it's appropriate for someone to "validate the attack" and post about it in here. Again, the majority in here are good people and wouldn't condone an evil act. 
I think it's better to look beyond the trivialities of political correctness and rather focus more on who the real enemy is.

Mesh
I think it's better to look beyond the trivialities of political correctness and rather focus more on who the real enemy is.

Well said...

SteveStrummerUK

 
Let me ask you this. If another forum member had started a thread in here concerning the same incident entitled "My Thoughts And Prayers", and the premise of the OP was to validate the attack, and to celebrate the martyrdom of the author's 'brother' and 'sister' who undertook this act, would you think it appropriate?
 

Alright... I'll say it... and know that this is a completely NON religious individual.
 
This is a totally absurd strawman and I would like to think you, Steve, are smart enough to know that.
 
There is a HUGE difference between someone expressing their condolences, support, sympathy, etc to INNOCENT VICTIMS of a horrendous crime perpetuated by violent, deluded scumbags and some expressing the same sentiments and support FOR the violent, deluded scumbags and their deluded, violent ideology.
 
Again I am NOT religious at ALL but if religion gives people the comfort and peace they need to cope with life's most challenging and horrific situations I am totally fine with that. If it gives them some kind of strength and motivation to better themselves and be good to others I am TOTALLY fine with that.
 
It's only when they use it as an excuse to control, hurt, manipulate or engage in any other negative behavior that SOME zealots do in the name of their faith do I have a problem.
 
Also... militant atheists can be just as bad or WORSE than their theist counterparts. They also do not help the secular humanist cause in the SLIGHTEST. Quite the opposite.
 
tl;dr...
 
Be a good person who does good things... I don't care what motivates you. I'll respect ya.
 
Be a bad person who does despicable things... I don't care what motivates you. You suck.

Agree Mesh. We need help and we need to wake up.
 
J
 

deleted.

Beepster

SteveStrummerUK
 
Let me ask you this. If another forum member had started a thread in here concerning the same incident entitled "My Thoughts And Prayers", and the premise of the OP was to validate the attack, and to celebrate the martyrdom of the author's 'brother' and 'sister' who undertook this act, would you think it appropriate?
 

Alright... I'll say it... and know that this is a completely NON religious individual.
 
This is a totally absurd strawman and I would like to think you, Steve, are smart enough to know that.
 
There is a HUGE difference between someone expressing their condolences, support, sympathy, etc to INNOCENT VICTIMS of a horrendous crime perpetuated by violent, deluded scumbags and some expressing the same sentiments and support FOR the violent, deluded scumbags and their deluded, violent ideology.

I don't think I offerered a strawman argument at all. For every incident like this, there are at least two opposing views regarding the righteousness, validity, justification and reason for its occurence.
 
Do you believe for one moment that the people who carry out these acts have absolutely any doubt in their minds that what they are doing is the most valued and esteemed action anyone on this planet can undertake? That to martyr themselves in the name of their religion, god and prophet is the epitome of a human life, and that such an act is the only guaranteed way to reach the highest level of paradise?
 
As far as matters of spirituality go, everyone of every faith is convinced that their way is right, and that all others are wrong.
 
My point was simply that someone posting any religious opinions in here, be they Christian or Muslim, should be equally be deterred from doing so.
 
I'm guessing that because the vast majority of contributors to these forums are probably not Muslims (at a guess, I'd say the largest group would be white, middle-aged Christian men), then the chances are that most of us would see these acts as 'evil', those that were killed as 'victims'. That sort of links into my point about the moderators and hosts (who also all seem to be non-Muslims; I know one host is an atheist, but some of them have self-identified as Christian), and how it seems that (pro)-Christian-related topics, opinions and comments that are casually dropped into posts are never challenged; action only ever seems forthcoming once another point of view is aired.
 
And let's be honest, when these little spats occur, it's always the religious comment that starts it off. If nobody had complained, this thread would have carried on regardless. Now, because I've had a whine and the discussion has widened, it will get locked or removed.
 
As I've asked, nay pleaded, so often, leave your god at the door. Do what the hell you like in private, worship any deity you choose, but please don't ram it down my throat in a public arena.
 

Beepster
 
Again I am NOT religious at ALL but if religion gives people the comfort and peace they need to cope with life's most challenging and horrific situations I am totally fine with that. If it gives them some kind of strength and motivation to better themselves and be good to others I am TOTALLY fine with that.
 
It's only when they use it as an excuse to control, hurt, manipulate or engage in any other negative behavior that SOME zealots do in the name of their faith do I have a problem.
 

 
I fully concur.
 

Beepster
 
Also... militant atheists can be just as bad or WORSE than their theist counterparts. They also do not help the secular humanist cause in the SLIGHTEST. Quite the opposite.
 

 
Define 'militant'.
 
Or at least give me a few examples of people who, because they don't believe in a god, organised an inquisition, burnt witches, discriminate against, act violently towards, or even kill others because they don't not believe in the same gods they don't believe in, flew planes into building or martyred themselves.
 
I'd estimate that's a pretty short list.
 
 

Beepster
 
Be a good person who does good things... I don't care what motivates you. I'll respect ya.
 
Be a bad person who does despicable things... I don't care what motivates you. You suck.

 
I completely agree with this too.

I have no interest in getting into one of your long drawn out arguments, Steve.
 
The point was there is NO comparison to what Mesh posted and someone sympathizing with the attackers.
 
None.
 
At all.
 
To even HINT otherwise is ludicrous.

SteveStrummer
please don't ram it down my throat in a public arena.

I would hardly call Mesh offering condolences by saying "thoughts and prayers" ramming it down your throat. Are you really offended that easily? Life must be tough for you.