# Why is this insulting? Warning in Great Debates **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [September 11, 2012, 8:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-this-insulting-warning-in-great-debates/634383 "2012-09-11T08:51:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![martu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e0b2c6/32.png) [@martu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/martu)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2012, 8:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-this-insulting-warning-in-great-debates/634383/1 "2012-09-11T08:51:02Z")
I received the following warning in Great Debates: > [@How to decide which instances of opposition to gay marriage are hateful and bigoted.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-decide-which-instances-of-opposition-to-gay-marriage-are-hateful-and-bigoted/630653/778): > > You’re not allowed to insult people this way in Great Debates. I’m giving you a warning for this one; don’t do it again. My post that caused the problem is: > [@How to decide which instances of opposition to gay marriage are hateful and bigoted.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-decide-which-instances-of-opposition-to-gay-marriage-are-hateful-and-bigoted/630653/776): > > **magellan01** is not only a bigot but also a coward. Some bigots are too dumb to realise they are bigots and from his posts here I think we can conclude he isn’t dumb. Some people are proud bigots who shout their bigotry from the roof tops, these people are mostly morons. Then we have our cowardly bigots who know what they espouse is bigotry but try all sorts of mental gymnastics to convince themselves, and consequently others, they are in fact not bigots. Is it the coward bit or bigot bit that is insulting? This is a serious question, let us assume (for it is true) that I lack certain social skills and sometimes say things which are a tad insensitive. ---
**Author:** ![Giles](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giles/32/60_2.png) [@Giles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giles)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2012, 9:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-this-insulting-warning-in-great-debates/634383/2 "2012-09-11T09:16:59Z")
> [@martu](#): > > Is it the coward bit or bigot bit that is insulting? I think both. The rule is that you should attack the posts, not the poster – so you can say the posts in question are bigoted and/or cowardly. ---
**Author:** ![bucketybuck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/898d66/32.png) [@bucketybuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bucketybuck)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2012, 9:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-this-insulting-warning-in-great-debates/634383/3 "2012-09-11T09:54:04Z")
I too am confused about why its considered an insult to directly call somebody a bigot and a coward? Actually, no, I’m not really. ---
**Author:** ![martu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e0b2c6/32.png) [@martu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/martu)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2012, 10:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-this-insulting-warning-in-great-debates/634383/4 "2012-09-11T10:03:52Z")
> [@Giles](#): > > I think both. The rule is that you should attack the posts, not the poster – so you can say the posts in question are bigoted and/or cowardly. What is the difference? If someone is posting something bigoted then they are a bigot aren’t they? ---
**Author:** ![martu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e0b2c6/32.png) [@martu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/martu)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2012, 10:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-this-insulting-warning-in-great-debates/634383/5 "2012-09-11T10:05:53Z")
> [@bucketybuck](#): > > I too am confused about why its considered an insult to directly call somebody a bigot and a coward? > Actually, no, I’m not really. Well thanks for this, you are a great help. ---
**Author:** ![Giles](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giles/32/60_2.png) [@Giles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giles)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2012, 10:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-this-insulting-warning-in-great-debates/634383/6 "2012-09-11T10:07:06Z")
I don’t know. If I say something stupid, does that mean that I’m stupid? Perhaps I had a momentary lapse. ---
**Author:** ![martu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e0b2c6/32.png) [@martu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/martu)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2012, 10:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-this-insulting-warning-in-great-debates/634383/7 "2012-09-11T10:11:17Z")
> [@Giles](#): > > I don’t know. If I say something stupid, does that mean that I’m stupid? Perhaps I had a momentary lapse. Depends if, when it is pointed out that what you said is stupid, you stick to your stupid views. If you do then you are indeed stupid. The poster in question has bigoted views according to nearly everyone else in the thread. Therefore I conclude he is a bigot. ---
**Author:** ![bldysabba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecccb3/32.png) [@bldysabba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bldysabba)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2012, 10:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-this-insulting-warning-in-great-debates/634383/8 "2012-09-11T10:31:42Z")
> [@martu](#): > > Depends if, when it is pointed out that what you said is stupid, you stick to your stupid views. If you do then you are indeed stupid. > > The poster in question has bigoted views according to nearly everyone else in the thread. Therefore I conclude he is a bigot. Insults are not allowed, no matter if they are truthful or not. They are not allowed. What’s so difficult to get about that? The failure of so many to understand this aspect of the rules is ridiculous and, dare I say it, stupid 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Smeghead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Smeghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smeghead)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2012, 10:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-this-insulting-warning-in-great-debates/634383/9 "2012-09-11T10:34:15Z")
“You are a bigot” is an insult. “You are a coward” is also an insult. No other interpretation is reasonably possible. ---
**Author:** ![martu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e0b2c6/32.png) [@martu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/martu)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2012, 11:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-this-insulting-warning-in-great-debates/634383/10 "2012-09-11T11:00:17Z")
> [@bldysabba](#): > > Insults are not allowed, no matter if they are truthful or not. They are not allowed. What’s so difficult to get about that? The failure of so many to understand this aspect of the rules is ridiculous and, dare I say it, stupid 😉 > [@Smeghead](#): > > “You are a bigot” is an insult. “You are a coward” is also an insult. No other interpretation is reasonably possible. Neither of you have told me why it is an insult only stated that it is, can you help me out here by telling me the why? ---
**Author:** ![martu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e0b2c6/32.png) [@martu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/martu)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2012, 11:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-this-insulting-warning-in-great-debates/634383/11 "2012-09-11T11:04:04Z")
Let me add an example from my life - when I was young I refused to look at some tarantulas and my father called me a coward. I didn’t feel insulted because he was right wasn’t he, how can one be insulted by the truth? I felt just a little ashamed and now find spiders of all shapes and sizes pretty awesome after getting over my phobia. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2012, 11:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-this-insulting-warning-in-great-debates/634383/12 "2012-09-11T11:12:57Z")
> [@martu](#): > > Neither of you have told me why it is an insult only stated that it is, can you help me out here by telling me the why? What are you, an idiot? (see, now isn’t that insulting?). Mods: my statement was made for effect, hopefully to help this dull lad. ---
**Author:** ![martu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e0b2c6/32.png) [@martu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/martu)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2012, 11:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-this-insulting-warning-in-great-debates/634383/13 "2012-09-11T11:17:57Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > What are you, an idiot? > > (see, now isn’t that insulting?). Mods: my statement was made for effect, hopefully to help this dull lad. Not if I am an idiot no. But I am pretty sure I am not an idiot (I can walk and chew gum and everything!) so it’s not insulting just wrong. ---
**Author:** ![martu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e0b2c6/32.png) [@martu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/martu)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2012, 11:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-this-insulting-warning-in-great-debates/634383/14 "2012-09-11T11:23:00Z")
Perhaps this may help, if someone posts that they think that Black people are inferior can I call that person a racist or not? Using the logic here I couldn’t because racist could be considered insulting. ---
**Author:** ![jonesj2205](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ecc23a/32.png) [@jonesj2205](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jonesj2205)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2012, 11:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-this-insulting-warning-in-great-debates/634383/15 "2012-09-11T11:23:26Z")
I can’t quite figure out your definition of an insult. You seem to think if it’s true it’s not an insult. And if it’s not true it’s not an insult: > [@](#): > > Not if I am an idiot no. But I am pretty sure I am not an idiot (I can walk and chew gum and everything!) so it’s not insulting just wrong. Around here, in broad terms, insult means negative comment directed at an individual. Your comments definitely meet that definition. ---
**Author:** ![martu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e0b2c6/32.png) [@martu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/martu)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2012, 11:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-this-insulting-warning-in-great-debates/634383/16 "2012-09-11T11:28:38Z")
> [@jonesj2205](#): > > I can’t quite figure out your definition of an insult. You seem to think if it’s true it’s not an insult. And if it’s not true it’s not an insult:. Now trying to think the last time I was insulted…hmmm can’t think of an example maybe this is the problem. > [@jonesj2205](#): > > Around here, in broad terms, insult means negative comment directed at an individual. Your comments definitely meet that definition. So can I call someone who has posted racist things a racist? How about calling an obese person obese? ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2012, 11:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-this-insulting-warning-in-great-debates/634383/17 "2012-09-11T11:35:28Z")
Def: vb [ɪnˈsʌlt] (tr) 1. to treat, mention, or speak to rudely; offend; affront It is considered rude or offensive to highlight a person’s negative or undesirable qualities, generally personality traits/character. The truth of the statement doesn’t come into play. If the comment were untrue it would be both a lie and an insult. By limiting your comments to their current statement you stay on this specific action (their comment) and not extrapolate or generalize to their character/qualities. It still may be not nice to hear, but our community has decided it doesn’t reach the level of being directly insulting. Plus, context matters. Regarding your obese situation, if someone asked if a weight/height they were obese and you answered, then no insult. If you use the term to disparage their character, insult. ---
**Author:** ![Sailboat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sailboat/32/461_2.png) [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2012, 11:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-this-insulting-warning-in-great-debates/634383/18 "2012-09-11T11:57:15Z")
> [@martu](#): > > Is it the coward bit or bigot bit that is insulting? This is a serious question, let us assume (for it is true) that I lack certain social skills and sometimes say things which are a tad insensitive. > [@martu](#): > > Neither of you have told me why it is an insult only stated that it is, can you help me out here by telling me the why? > [@jonesj2205](#): > > I can’t quite figure out your definition of an insult. You seem to think if it’s true it’s not an insult. And if it’s not true it’s not an insult **martu** , you are failing the [Turing test](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turing_test). ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2012, 12:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-this-insulting-warning-in-great-debates/634383/19 "2012-09-11T12:07:49Z")
Your hu-mon tradition of uncivil communication is both fascinating and illogical! ---
**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:** [September 11, 2012, 12:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-this-insulting-warning-in-great-debates/634383/20 "2012-09-11T12:10:43Z")
> [@martu](#): > > Now trying to think the last time I was insulted…hmmm can’t think of an example maybe this is the problem. What is _your_ definition of “insult”? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-this-insulting-warning-in-great-debates/634383.md?page=2)