# Anti Catholic opinion warrants official warning? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [February 9, 2008, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-catholic-opinion-warrants-official-warning/436952 "2008-02-09T20:18:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 8
**Author:** ![Alan\_Smithee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/2acd7d/32.png) [@Alan\_Smithee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alan_Smithee)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2008, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-catholic-opinion-warrants-official-warning/436952/141 "2008-02-12T19:41:17Z")
[QUOTE=Czarcasm] And if you cannot engage in polite conversation in IMHO without calling other posters “idiots”, it may be time to limit your posting to The BBQ Pit, because no amount of amateur lawyering is going to make that practice acceptable. [/QUOTE] I don’t think I’ve ever called a poster an idiot, so I’ve never spent much time investigating the rules about it or trying to make them say something they don’t. However, reading the rules posted above gave me the distinct impression that calling a class of people that happens to include one or more dopers “idiots” IS acceptable. I don’t seem to be alone in that impression. If this interpretation of the rules is erroneous, perhaps you should revise them so they don’t say THE EXACT OPPOSITE OF WHAT YOU WANT! ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2008, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-catholic-opinion-warrants-official-warning/436952/142 "2008-02-12T20:10:59Z")
[QUOTE=C K Dexter Haven] Are there any rules on insulting other posters? * * * Generally, you may not directly insult other posters. The strictness of this rule varies a bit by forum, but the basic rule is that you should attack what the other person says, not the other person. The only exception is the forum called The BBQ Pit, where flaming other posters is permitted. Hate speech directed against any race, religion, ethnicity, nationality, or gender is a violation of our rules, as outlined in the Registration Agreement. And please note the difference between an insult directed against a person and an insult against a large group. ACCEPTABLE: “Anyone who likes the music of Enema is soulless and lacks taste in music.” NOT ACCEPTABLE: “You like Enema’s music? Then you’re soulless and have no taste in music.” [/quote] Instead of picking phrases out of context, why don’t you go ahead and read the whole thing, o.k.? Do you see the phrase, “The strictness of this rule varies a bit by forum, but the basic rule is that you should attack what the other person says, not the other person.”? The standards for each forum is different, though I doubt that calling other posters “idiots” using the excuse that they belong to a larger group and thus shouldn’t feel personally insulted will pass in forums other than The BBQ Pit and maybe Great Debates, IMHO. ---
**Author:** ![Hostile\_Dialect](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e495f1/32.png) [@Hostile\_Dialect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hostile_Dialect)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2008, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-catholic-opinion-warrants-official-warning/436952/143 "2008-02-12T20:59:44Z")
Since you’re now arguing from some unwritten but unanimously accepted standard specific to IMHO, I decided to run a quick search to see how well-accepted that standard is. I found that this was necessary because I don’t spend much time in IMHO, and wouldn’t feel qualified debating about its forum-specific culture otherwise. This is the tip of the iceberg I uncovered: [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=9450032&postcount=39](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=9450032&postcount=39) > [@anu-la1979](#): > > See, there are things called RED FLAGS and the people who ignore them are called FUCKING IDIOTS WITH LOW SELF-ESTEEM HEADING FOR A WORLD OF TRAINWRECK. And if Lionne had posted a whiny little note about why this guy doesn’t liiiiiiiiiiiiiiike her, Dopers would have been all over her ass bloody eager to tell her how much he was just NOT into her and how she’s clingy and psycho. But the poor girl has dignity and behaves with class and now she’s a pussy who gives up too easily? [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=9451786&postcount=48](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=9451786&postcount=48) > [@anu-la1979](#): > > I’m not down with this philosophizing and mooning about wondering “maybe maybe this is issue and if only _I_ did this…” either and I’m sort of aghast that people are actually suggesting you deal with other human beings that way. And in all honesty, I simply look down on people who live their life that way because they’re generally disturbingly neurotic and spend all their time moaning about how people take advantage of them repeatedly over long periods of time. Here, **msmith537** insults the educated professionals on the Board, using the same naughty word that **Dinsdale** did: [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=9412382&postcount=3](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=9412382&postcount=3) > [@msmith537](#): > > Regarding being a manager, one reason I have to impose the rules on what are supposed to be educated, intelligent professionals is that many of them are idiots. They show up late, miss work, do their job half assed, ring up exhorbitant expenses, write shitty unprofessional emails, dress like slobs, grabass while they should be working, get drunk at company functions, and basically just do everything possible to convince me that they aren’t educated, intelligent, professionals. > > So since they apparently didn’t enter the workforce with any clue as to how they are supposed to act at work, they have to be specifically told. **Derleth** insults all Dopers who voted for LBJ: [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=9413952&postcount=17](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=9413952&postcount=17) > [@Derleth](#): > > His “Daisy” ad was a masterpiece of propaganda for idiots. In [this thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=448145&page=1&pp=50), **John DiFool** attacks feminine gay men: > [@John DiFool](#): > > It’s the gay ones which bug me (even tho in the grand Seinfeldian tradition I certainly feel like there’s nothing wrong with that)-I’ve often wondered if the lisping, the feminine walking styles, etc. are just mere affectations or not. Then **Happy Scrappy Hero Pup** compares male femininity to date rape and idiocy: > [@Happy Scrappy Hero Pup](#): > > However, the over-the-top, drama-queeny, cartoonishly feminine homosexual male is a stereotype I find as offensive as the date-raping, slack-jawed, sports-first fratboy. And seeing someone play either of those up does evoke a negative reaction in me. Nobody except **matt\_mcl** seems to care until it devolves into a full-fledged hijack. Even then, only **Contrapuntal** jumps in. I could go on and on. The point is that, if any of these examples struck any IMHO regulars as being against the rules, none of them were offended enough to click on the “Report this Post” button. And if they did, any mods who swung by decided there was nothing of import going on. Once again, traditional Western religion asks for special treatment and gets it. ---
**Author:** ![Alan\_Smithee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/2acd7d/32.png) [@Alan\_Smithee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alan_Smithee)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2008, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-catholic-opinion-warrants-official-warning/436952/144 "2008-02-12T21:19:32Z")
Obviously, we need to start reporting all of those posts, and any others like them. The alternative is, as you say, that Christians (and other whiners) get special treatment. Never mind that no one seems to particularly **want** that kind of behavior banned. It already has been. And the mods have told us lots of times that they want posters to report posts that break the rules. I have no problem with this. And no, I don’t intend to hunt through old threads looking for posts to report just to annoy the mods and make a point. But I will report posts as I come across them, just as I would for breaking any other rules. I don’t like rule breakers, even if I disagree with the rule. And **Czarcasm** , I did read the whole thing. I still say that **had you not told me otherwise** I would believe that referring to a large group (such as Enya fans) as “idiots” is acceptable. The rule you posted, when read in its entirety and in context is unclear, if it is meant to mean what you say it means. I am no longer arguing that it _should_ mean what I think it does, only that it _in fact SEEMS_ to mean what I think it does. Since what the rule is in fact and what the rule is stated to be in the ATMB sticky can reasonably be understood to be different, one of them should be changed. I don’t much care which one (though I have already stated my preference). ---
**Author:** ![saoirse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5daacb/32.png) [@saoirse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saoirse)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2008, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-catholic-opinion-warrants-official-warning/436952/145 "2008-02-12T21:22:11Z")
[QUOTE=Hostile Dialect] I could go on and on. The point is that, if any of these examples struck any IMHO regulars as being against the rules, none of them were offended enough to click on the “Report this Post” button. And if they did, any mods who swung by decided there was nothing of import going on. Once again, traditional Western religion asks for special treatment and gets it. [/QUOTE] Obviously, that’s becasue none of these posts caused a member to come down with a case of the vapors, and go running off to report it like some mingy little William Donahue, or if they did Czarcasm didn’t decide to be their Bill O’Reilly. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2008, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-catholic-opinion-warrants-official-warning/436952/146 "2008-02-12T21:36:34Z")
So it is your wish is that the standard for IMHO should not be civil discourse and respect for the opinions of others, but “I should get away with it because _they_ did!”? Let me think about that…done. No, I don’t think so. ---
**Author:** ![samm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/858c86/32.png) [@samm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samm)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2008, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-catholic-opinion-warrants-official-warning/436952/147 "2008-02-12T22:19:21Z")
No, but now everytime I see any group of people however slightly insulted in IMHO, I will be sure to report it. We don’t want this place becoming uncivilized! ---
**Author:** ![brownie55](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f14d63/32.png) [@brownie55](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brownie55)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2008, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-catholic-opinion-warrants-official-warning/436952/148 "2008-02-12T23:47:38Z")
[QUOTE=Czarcasm] So it is your wish is that the standard for IMHO should not be civil discourse and respect for the opinions of others, but “I should get away with it because _they_ did!”? Let me think about that…done. No, I don’t think so. [/QUOTE] Well reasoned sir, I applaud you. Now can we have the pukey smiley? ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2008, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-catholic-opinion-warrants-official-warning/436952/149 "2008-02-13T00:07:34Z")
[QUOTE=samm] No, but now everytime I see any group of people however slightly insulted in IMHO, I will be sure to report it. We don’t want this place becoming uncivilized! [/QUOTE] If _you_ honestly feel insulted by someone else’s post, I will look into it. If, on the other hand, you appoint yourself “Guardian Of All Who Might Be Offended By Every Little Thing” and start hitting the “Report This Post To The Moderator” button just to be a jerk, I’ll know just what to do. Trust me, _that_ one is covered in the rules. ---
**Author:** ![brownie55](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f14d63/32.png) [@brownie55](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brownie55)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2008, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-catholic-opinion-warrants-official-warning/436952/150 "2008-02-13T00:21:03Z")
[QUOTE=Czarcasm] If _you_ honestly feel insulted by someone else’s post, I will look into it. If, on the other hand, you appoint yourself “Guardian Of All Who Might Be Offended By Every Little Thing” and start hitting the “Report This Post To The Moderator” button just to be a jerk, I’ll know just what to do. Trust me, _that_ one is covered in the rules. [/QUOTE] Well, now that you put your mod-dick out on the table for all to see are we supposed to quiver in fear of it’s puissance? Threats are so gauche on the internet, don’t you think? ---
**Author:** ![Alan\_Smithee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/2acd7d/32.png) [@Alan\_Smithee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alan_Smithee)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2008, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-catholic-opinion-warrants-official-warning/436952/151 "2008-02-13T00:22:30Z")
What about what I said I would do, **Czarcasm**? If I’m not personally offended, but I honestly think someone broke this new rule, shouldn’t I report it? Or is there a “no harm, no foul” policy that let rule violations slide if no one is offended. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2008, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-catholic-opinion-warrants-official-warning/436952/152 "2008-02-13T00:32:31Z")
[QUOTE=Alan Smithee] What about what I said I would do, **Czarcasm**? If I’m not personally offended, but I honestly think someone broke this new rule, shouldn’t I report it? Or is there a “no harm, no foul” policy that let rule violations slide if no one is offended. [/QUOTE] 1. If I see someone obviously insulting other posters like, for example, calling them idiots, they may get a warning. 2. If, on the other hand, someone says something that _may_ in some way be considered offensive by _somebody_, _somewhere_, but not by you personally or anyone else posting in that thread, just leave it alone. 3. If you are honestly not sure, go ahead and hit the button. 4. But if I think you are hitting that button just to be an annoyance, _you_ may get the warning. ---
**Author:** ![Hostile\_Dialect](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e495f1/32.png) [@Hostile\_Dialect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hostile_Dialect)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2008, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-catholic-opinion-warrants-official-warning/436952/153 "2008-02-13T00:34:44Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > So it is your wish is that the standard for IMHO should not be civil discourse and respect for the opinions of others, but “I should get away with it because they did!”? Let me think about that…done. No. My wish is that the standard for IMHO should be the official rules. As a Moderator, I would assume you would have the honesty, intellectual capacity and dedication to the Board required to understand that. Obviously, I was wrong: you’re severely lacking in one or more of those, but far be it from me to guess which one. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2008, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-catholic-opinion-warrants-official-warning/436952/154 "2008-02-13T00:44:15Z")
[QUOTE=Hostile Dialect] No. My wish is that the standard for IMHO should be the official rules. As a Moderator, I would assume you would have the honesty, intellectual capacity and dedication to the Board required to understand that. Obviously, I was wrong: you’re severely lacking in one or more of those, but far be it from me to find out which one. [/QUOTE] I think for now I’ll just interpret the rules the same way I’ve done it for the last few years, and not add any refinements. While you might find it helpful to know _exactly_ how far you can go up to the line before you get an official warning, experience has shown me that this is an open invite for some (though certainly not most) posters to dance on that line, much the same way children in the back seat will _almost_ touch each other while repeated chanting “I’m not touching you! I’m not touching you!” I’m sorry that you are having trouble understanding that each forum has slightly different standards of behavior, but that’s something you’re just going to have to learn to deal with. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2008, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-catholic-opinion-warrants-official-warning/436952/155 "2008-02-13T01:16:26Z")
Official Rules? I thought the whole reason the SDMB is the bestest place on teh intarwebs is because we don’t have to keep worrying about “Official Rules” allathe time; 'cos we’re _grownups_, FFS (thanks for that acronym, **CarnalK** ;))! By and large, the mods keep this place running smoothly, operating with their judgement and discretion. Yes, there are mistakes made in moderation, but on the whole, an error by a mod is really not something to get that worked up over, any more than it’s the end of the world when a member bags an official warning. They’re bumps in the road, and we’re pretty self-correcting around here. You’re far too smart to really believe that there will ever be perfection in the moderation, **HD** (my cite – you’re a Doper :p). Yes, keep them honest and on their toes, but lighten up a little. We’re here because it pleases us to be here instead of somewhere else. You want an official rule to follow? Try this: Make it a habit to preview your entire post every time. Then make your .sig line say: “I’m really trying to not be a jerk.” Check that for truthiness before you hit “Submit”. ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2008, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-catholic-opinion-warrants-official-warning/436952/156 "2008-02-13T01:37:04Z")
[QUOTE=Czarcasm] To **Dinsdale** -Your post was threadshitting, plain and simple. What others may or may not have gotten away with in the past is neither here nor there. [/QUOTE] I have to disagree with your statement, Czarcasm. His comment was quite accurate. Since when did accuracy become threadshitting? ---
**Author:** ![brownie55](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f14d63/32.png) [@brownie55](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brownie55)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2008, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-catholic-opinion-warrants-official-warning/436952/157 "2008-02-13T01:38:45Z")
[QUOTE=Czarcasm] I think for now I’ll just interpret the rules the same way I’ve done it for the last few years, and not add any refinements. While you might find it helpful to know _exactly_ how far you can go up to the line before you get an official warning, experience has shown me that this is an open invite for some (though certainly not most) posters to dance on that line, much the same way children in the back seat will _almost_ touch each other while repeated chanting “I’m not touching you! I’m not touching you!” I’m sorry that you are having trouble understanding that each forum has slightly different standards of behavior, but that’s something you’re just going to have to learn to deal with. [/QUOTE] What the fuck do they use for ball where you come from? You are so flush with power that it just radiates from your username. You really are an embarrasment to the fight against ignorance. I am sure that you will just give me another “Fuck you” rather than a subsanitive reply. Carry on. And I just saw your edit to soften the threat. You really have no balls. ---
**Author:** ![brownie55](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f14d63/32.png) [@brownie55](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brownie55)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2008, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-catholic-opinion-warrants-official-warning/436952/158 "2008-02-13T01:45:21Z")
[QUOTE=brownie55] What the fuck do they use for ball where you come from? You are so flush with power that it just radiates from your username. You really are an embarrasment to the fight against ignorance. I am sure that you will just give me another “Fuck you” rather than a subsanitive reply. Carry on. And I just saw your edit to soften the threat. You really have no balls. [/QUOTE] Sorry for the double, that threat removal was not from the post I replied to, but the one before. ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2008, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-catholic-opinion-warrants-official-warning/436952/159 "2008-02-13T01:51:53Z")
[QUOTE=brownie55] Sorry for the double, that threat removal was not from the post I replied to, but the one before. [/QUOTE] Where can I get one of those decoder screens that will allow me to see what threat **czarcasm** removed from his post? ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2008, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-catholic-opinion-warrants-official-warning/436952/160 "2008-02-13T01:57:27Z")
Here is the original post: [QUOTE=installLSC] Having been raised Catholic, Ash Wednesday has always been a pretty big deal. Obviously, it’s not observed as well as Christmas or Easter, but you still have a lot of people who don’t usually attend mass go to church that day. Also it’s a meatless day and a fast day. If you’re a non-Catholic Christian how important is this day? Do most churches have special services and how well attended are they? How much effort do your fellow churchgoers put into observing the day? [/QUOTE] Note that this is a thread requesting information about the customs of non-Catholic Christians regarding Ash Wednesday. Here is **Dinsdale’s** reply, after other posters have described their customs regarding Ash Wednesday: [QUOTE=Dinsdale] I was raised catholic, but now it means nothing to me other than “identify the idiots” day. [/QUOTE] Now if this is indeed one of the customs of the non-Catholic Christian church he belongs to, I’d be _very_ interested in hearing more. Well, **Dinsdale**? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-catholic-opinion-warrants-official-warning/436952.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-catholic-opinion-warrants-official-warning/436952.md?page=9)