# Clarification from Moderators, Please **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [June 10, 2011, 11:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarification-from-moderators-please/584964 "2011-06-10T11:54:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![DrFidelius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drfidelius/32/3447_2.png) [@DrFidelius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrFidelius)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2011, 11:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarification-from-moderators-please/584964/1 "2011-06-10T11:54:42Z")
I just need a bit of clarification on an acceptable response in a Gret Debates thread. If, hypothetically, one poster performed a rite of exorcism on another poster, would that be outside of Great Debate guidelines? I believe I came up short of actually accusing XXX19 of being a tool of Satan, but if you find it beyond the pale please delete the post. I apologize, but I do not know how to link to a thread or a post. Thank you. ---
**Author:** ![Crazyhorse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crazyhorse/32/31_2.png) [@Crazyhorse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crazyhorse)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2011, 12:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarification-from-moderators-please/584964/2 "2011-06-10T12:12:22Z")
> [@DrFidelius](#): > > I just need a bit of clarification on an acceptable response in a Gret Debates thread. > > If, hypothetically, one poster performed a rite of exorcism on another poster, would that be outside of Great Debate guidelines? While we wait for the mods to weigh in on current exorcism policy, a link to the thread in question is [here.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=13899670#post13899670) > [@DrFidelius](#): > > I believe I came up short of actually accusing XXX19 of being a tool of Satan, > [@Worshiping Satan: A question for true believers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worshiping-satan-a-question-for-true-believers/584480/120): > > **XXX19** may be a tool of Satan :smack: ---
**Author:** ![DrFidelius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drfidelius/32/3447_2.png) [@DrFidelius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrFidelius)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2011, 12:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarification-from-moderators-please/584964/3 "2011-06-10T12:25:01Z")
“_may be_,” which was edited from “i_s_” after a moment’s consideration. I realized it would be impolite , and difficult to support, to directly claim a given person is a tool of Satan, although I felt I should let my suspicions be known. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2011, 12:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarification-from-moderators-please/584964/4 "2011-06-10T12:33:36Z")
I think I’m OK with it. Even if I wasn’t, I’d make a mod note and I wouldn’t delete the post. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2011, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarification-from-moderators-please/584964/5 "2011-06-10T13:03:48Z")
How is that not an insult? Was it obviously said in jest? ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2011, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarification-from-moderators-please/584964/6 "2011-06-10T13:15:08Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > How is that not an insult? Was it obviously said in jest? I took it to be said in jest. [**XXX19** previously said that some people in the thread were Satanists.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=13888354#post13888354) ---
**Author:** ![DrFidelius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drfidelius/32/3447_2.png) [@DrFidelius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrFidelius)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2011, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarification-from-moderators-please/584964/7 "2011-06-10T13:28:09Z")
Because I am mirthful and full of jests. It’s all in the tone of voice used – the humor lies in the reductio ab absurdo of taking XXX19’s posts to the (il)logical conclusion. The counter to a “You’re all Satanists!” accusation is a reply of “No, YOU are” in a pseduo-authoratitive response. I hate explaining jokes, it takes away the spontanaeity. (and ability to spell) ---
**Author:** ![Steophan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steophan/32/9595_2.png) [@Steophan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steophan)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2011, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarification-from-moderators-please/584964/8 "2011-06-10T13:45:45Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > How is that not an insult? Was it obviously said in jest? If, hypothetically, I had expressed my opposition to christianity, and a christian called me a tool of satan, they would be correct according to their beliefs, and by the literal meaning of “satan”, that is “opposer”. I’ve not read the thread in question, and somewhat doubt this is what actually happened, but in that circumstance it wouldn’t be an insult. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2011, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarification-from-moderators-please/584964/9 "2011-06-10T13:54:49Z")
The posts in question: > [@Worshiping Satan: A question for true believers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worshiping-satan-a-question-for-true-believers/584480/46): > > I’ve proved without a doubt with direct quotes from performers themselves that these performers were/are satanists, just like some > people in here. > [@Worshiping Satan: A question for true believers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worshiping-satan-a-question-for-true-believers/584480/120): > > I see it now. **XXX19** may be a tool of Satan, doing his work on the Earth, spreading disinformation, fomenting strife, and trying to make Christianity look ignorant and unappealing. > By seeming to obsess over easily debunked urban legends and celebrity gossip, The Deceiver is attempting to divert attention form those who are actually advancing his causes; the hypocrites, the fear-mongerers, the deliberately ignorant, and those who would sell the Word for fame or personal glory. > Vade retro satana! Your poor attempt at misdirection cannot fool anyone who approaches God with an open mind and heart! > > _I command you, unclean spirit, whoever you are, along with all your minions now attacking this servant of God, by the mysteries of the incarnation, passion, resurrection, and ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ, by the descent of the Holy Spirit, by the coming of our Lord for judgment, that you tell me by some sign your name, and the day and hour of your departure. I command you, moreover, to obey me to the letter, I who am a minister of God despite my unworthiness; nor shall you be emboldened to harm in any way this creature of God, or the bystanders, or any of their possessions._ ---
**Author:** ![Steophan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steophan/32/9595_2.png) [@Steophan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steophan)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2011, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarification-from-moderators-please/584964/10 "2011-06-10T14:01:30Z")
Somewhat closer to my hypothetical than I expected… ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2011, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarification-from-moderators-please/584964/11 "2011-06-10T14:29:14Z")
So, the correct response to the OP is: OK, if done in jest. Not OK, if serious. Right? ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2011, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarification-from-moderators-please/584964/12 "2011-06-10T15:39:12Z")
In another thread I might treat it more seriously. The thread we’re discussing is pretty bizarre, and while the basic rules apply as always, I’m not going to take the strictest possible interpretations and note someone for a joke exorcism. If it was disrupting a more serious discussion, yes, I might give a mod note. ---
**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:** [June 10, 2011, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarification-from-moderators-please/584964/13 "2011-06-10T15:51:47Z")
And besides, it didn’t work. ---
**Author:** ![Farmer\_Jane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Farmer\_Jane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Farmer_Jane)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2011, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarification-from-moderators-please/584964/14 "2011-06-10T15:55:13Z")
If someone can call me Newt and get away with it, then I think ‘tool of Satan’ is legit. \*edit: Or an arm of the right wing Orthodox Zionist parties in Israel, or a tool of [insert political party here], or anything indicating that a person’s beliefs is an extension of a disliked group and they are evil or can’t think for themselves. ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2011, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarification-from-moderators-please/584964/15 "2011-06-10T17:29:22Z")
> [@CitizenPained](#): > > If someone can call me \*\*Newt \*\*and get away with it, then I think ‘tool of Satan’ is legit. Yes, but everyone knows that with the former, you get better, with the latter, you get made into South Park fodder. ---
**Author:** ![DrFidelius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drfidelius/32/3447_2.png) [@DrFidelius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrFidelius)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2011, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarification-from-moderators-please/584964/16 "2011-06-10T17:32:28Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > And besides, it didn’t work. I was just trying to drive the demon of ignorance out of the participant, not to make the poster entirely disappear. If the scales dropped even a little from XXX19’s eyes, then I may start attending Mass regularly again. But you’re right, it hasn’t worked yet. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Falling\_Reverend](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/aca169/32.png) [@The\_Falling\_Reverend](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Falling_Reverend)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2011, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarification-from-moderators-please/584964/17 "2011-06-10T17:43:26Z")
> [@DrFidelius](#): > > I was just trying to drive the demon of ignorance out > [@](#): > > I apologize, but I do not know how to link to a thread or a post. Yeah, good luck with that. ---
**Author:** ![DrFidelius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drfidelius/32/3447_2.png) [@DrFidelius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrFidelius)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2011, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarification-from-moderators-please/584964/18 "2011-06-10T17:46:06Z")
Yes Rev, I admit to my areas of ignorance. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Falling\_Reverend](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/aca169/32.png) [@The\_Falling\_Reverend](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Falling_Reverend)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2011, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarification-from-moderators-please/584964/19 "2011-06-10T17:54:57Z")
Do you know how to post links to other websites? I’m sorry but not knowing how to post a link(especially after a decade long membership) and claiming to want to “drive the ignorance out” is like not knowing which end of a hammer to use and claiming to be a carpenter. ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2011, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarification-from-moderators-please/584964/20 "2011-06-10T17:55:53Z")
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