Saying someone shouldn't post in a certain style or using certain words is a personal attack.
That is true... but, and I could be wrong because I only read the thread once, I believe Oz did not specify anyone, he addressed a style of speaking without mentioning names. That is not a personal attack. That is venting an opinion on a style of speaking. I can tell you that it's like nails on a chalkboard when someone says 'ya'll' and that is not a personal attack on anyone. I have very close friends who use the term and would never attack them, it is simply a preference.
There aren't a lot of people who post here using the particular style he was complaining about.
That still doesn't make it a personal attack. There were people on the thread who *were* bringing up names and making it a personal attack but, again from what I saw, Oz was making a general statement. He brought up no names. He shared his thoughts about the effectiveness of the style of speaking.
Attack ideas not people. Discuss ideas, not people.
To reitterate, I believe he did. Others attacked a person or people, I did not see Oz do so. I could see taking issue with the people who attacked a person but I did not see Oz do that.
And if it really irks you how a person posts then doin't read it.
I agree wholeheartedly. To me it was nothing that I would have ever posted. If I don't like a style of post I skip right over it. But... that doesn't make Oz's post wrong. Looking at the other side of the coin, those who were irked by his opinions on that manner of speaking did not have to read his post.
We all have to accept responsibility for what we do say or post.
For instance, if you come to a discussion board where people have been burned by a religion and are often in a place where pushing your religion on them makes them, at best, uncomfortable and, in some instances, brings back painful memories and emotions because they aren't in a peaceful place with their past yet... and you come to that discussion board and wish the blessings of your god on them every time you address them... then you must accept responsibility for the fact that some people are going to be upset or offended and air that opinion. It works both ways. And I'm not saying anyone should feel they *can't* wish people the blessings of their god(s)... but if they are going to do so they do so knowing full well that it may not always be taken in the positive spirit in which it was meant.
And while this is not a business, if this was one coworker to the other ther person blessing others with every discussion would be hauled to HR and face disciplinary action for doing so. This is not a business and there is going to be religious discussion, ideas, etc on a board themed on a religion... but my point is that even outside the boundaries of ex-jehovahs witnesses some people find this offensive, enough so that there are mandated rules in companies about it so they don't get into legal trouble. So we all understand that there are people offended by these things. Does that mean you shouldn't do it in a public forum if you so wish? No, you have th right to wish your blessings... but so should someone have the right to air their offense at said blessings as long as it is not a personal attack, which, in Oz's case, I don't believe it was.
All of that said, I didn't agree with the thread... but moreso I do not agree with censoring someone from airing their opinion when it was not a personal attack. Censor those who *did* mention names and make it personal, that I can understand... but I see no reason to censor Oz.
And lastly, since I only read the thread once and there may have been additional information to which I am not privvy, if there are circumstances to which I am not aware that change what I saw then I apologize... but I can only comment on what I saw if threads are removed.
My two cents which are probably not worth even that much.
Jackie
