I detest when people use the term religionistas here!

[hrmjustin]

eom.

[goldent]

1. I don't really know what it means. From Google I found

Religionista: someone who wears their religious affiliation with too much pride

From your reaction, I imagine is must be used in an insulting way. Of course it could be a badge of honor for some.

[hrmjustin]

2. It is meant as an insult by the persons who use it here.

[cbayer]

3. I know I don't participate much in this group, but

I'm going to put my two cents in on a recent trend.

I would hate for this to turn into a meta "us vs them" forum similar to some other subgroups in religion. I think taking that same tack is a mistake and will turn this into something that it was never meant to be.

Giving some of the anti-theists attention simply feeds the fire and I, for one, would suggest not doing it at all.

Anyway, that's my opinion. Take it or leave it.

[kentauros]

20. My interpretation is this is more about venting.

And this is a safe-haven, so I don't have a problem with that. Plus, it doesn't happen often here at all. The amount of discussion has been waning for a while, so this kind of topic is fine with me, so long as it doesn't get out of hand. I think most of us hosts here are pretty on top of things, too.

Although, there may be some problems with DU's site software as one thread in question isn't showing up for me, and I don't have the person on ignore, either. I put the question in at ATA, so I hope one of them will answer me soon. A host should not be missing threads in his own group!

[cbayer]

29. I am not suggesting wether it should not be or is not permitted

just questioning whether regular members of this group want to go in that direction.

Venting is one thing, but it is a slippery slope and can lead to an ugly place where individuals can be attacked with impunity.

I have the same objections when DU members start talking about Conservative Cave. First, it gives them the attention that they crave. Second, we just end up behaving like them. I'm concerned that that may happen here.

I appreciate your weighing in on this.

[kentauros]

30. I understand your concern,

and I wouldn't want to see the group devolve that way, either. However, we have had other venting/complaint threads before, and once out of the system, things died down and it was forgotten.

The other thing I see going on here is that we're helping each other work out how to deal with the less than pleasant DUers with whom some of us choose to interact.

We're still a pretty "tame" group and I don't think we'll ever turn into something like the Religion group. Too many of our members here care what happens to our group.

[okasha]

4. I agree that ignoring

or simply refusing to respond to certain posters is probably the best tactic under the circumstances. There is , however, a greater problem, which is that the hosts and/or moderators are either unable or unwilling to sanction the bullies and the obvious trolls

This group seems to be the only safe space to express dissatisfaction with the situation.

[hrmjustin]

5. I noticed that not responding has made my life a but easier.

I did that after one too many insults from someone. If they have a question for me as a host if the room I will answer of course.

[okasha]

6. What exactly

can the hosts do about an obvious troll? Or does that kind of problem get passed up the line?

[hrmjustin]

7. Well new trolls get passed to mirt.

As for long term members that disrupt we can ban. The hosts agreed to let the 5 hides system work. 2 persons last year were banned after getting 5 hides in that room for a month. The reality now is the softwzre bans someone who has 5 hides in 90 days so we don't have this issue at the moment.

[hrmjustin]

8. What a night!

[okasha]

9. A night to remember.

And the dancer playing Chacha in the big contest scene in Grease just lost her wig. Went flying almost into the audience. Arrrrgggghhh!

[hrmjustin]

10. OMG! you must have been mortified.

[okasha]

11. My friend and fellow wardrobe mistress

may have blood on her hands before the night is over. We've been telling the dancer to weat a wig cap and use the bleeping pins ever since the first costume walk-through.

At least the press weren't there. They all came to the opening.

[hrmjustin]

12. That stinks. I hope it doesn't happen again.

[okasha]

13. Only one more performance to go.

After that, no worries till the fall show.

[hrmjustin]

14. Well I will say a prayer that it works out.

I could just imagine how angry you guys must have been.

[okasha]

15. Thank you for the prayers.

By next week we'll be laughing about it. But right now, it's--stressful.

[okasha]

25. The performance this evening

was as close to flawless as makes no difference. No one's hair became a UFO, the Joisey accents stayed consistent, our Rizzo was outstanding even among a great ensemble, and we had a terrific house. I'm not sure why, but Final Dress and the closing are frequently the best performances of a run.

Thanks again for your prayers. They helped.

[hrmjustin]

28. Glad it worked out.

[okasha]

17. Thank you.

I have never seen you post anything offensive or disrespectful. You are welcome in this group.

[okasha]

26. Debate and free exchange of ideas

are what we hope for in this group. Jousts are fine, as long as we all remember our chivalry toward one another.

As for Religion, I tend to let the other point of view set the tone. I give courtesy to the courteous. The snide and the hostile--let's just say I follow the Golden Rule and assume they treat me the way they want to be treated.

I aim to please.

[hrmjustin]

18. Thanks.

You always are polite to me.

[kentauros]

21. My educated guess about the use of "religionistas"

is that it's a direct response to the use of "militant" with regards to some non-believers. The unfortunate thing is that the same "militant" ones seem partially unclear about the definition of the term. Militant is a highly descriptive and appropriate term. I've used it myself towards those vegetarians and vegans that are gung-ho in ramming forth their reasons for choosing that dietary lifestyle. I don't mean it to be insulting because I am also a vegetarian, just that they are over-the-top insistent that their view is the "correct" view.

Religionista seems to be an attempt at making it mean the same as militant only in an obviously insulting form. It's yet another made-up word (much like "woo&quot when "militant" would truly be the better word to use. But, that doesn't have the same level of insult-factor associated, and thus, isn't used.

As has already been suggested, ignoring them would be best. Or, ask politely that it not be used. If they have any tact at all, they'll "respect" that request

[hrmjustin]

22. I am not responding to a few over there anymore.

They know how I feel because I brought it up before but to no avail.

It is meant as an insult.

[kentauros]

23. Then that just proves to me that they have no tact.

Often it's stated that "respect must be earned." Well, it's difficult to earn respect when you have no tact towards others.

And, as a former DUer and good friend of mine once noted, "The Religion group is just a shooting gallery." That's really the main reason I don't post there. Ignoring people is sometimes difficult for me. So, I salute your steadfastness!

[hrmjustin]

24. Thanks.

The room has it's moments.

[okasha]

27. Since I've been a "militant" something-or-other

most of my life, I see the term as an honorific rather than an insult, especially whre civil rights are concerned. But it's become clear that some posters in that group are there to polish their egos at the expense of those who don't agree with them. That goes beyond lack of tact.

[hrmjustin]

32. Why are you using that term in this room?

[el_bryanto]

33. Welcome to the Interfaith Group

I had gotten the impression that you were atheist if not anti-theist but I guess I was wrong. So what Church do you go to?

Bryant

[skepticscott]

36. The Statement of Purpose of this group

specifically welcomes non-believers, does it not?

[hrmjustin]

37. That is not the point. He knew we hhate that term and he came in here using that term.

[skepticscott]

39. And you seem to have taken action in that regard

My question was directed at el bryanto's response to him, which seemed to imply that his very presence here meant he must be a believer and church goer.

[hrmjustin]

40. Non-believers do post here as long as it is polite and done in good faith.

[hrmjustin]

38. Yes it does welcome non-believers.

[kentauros]

34. I respectfully ask you to self-delete this post.

Also, please become familiar with our group rules, as such behavior is not tolerated here.

Thank you.

[cbayer]

41. And this, dear kentauros, is why I advocated for avoiding these kinds of threads.

This is what happened when the group was first established and giving some people any attention at all in here just invites disruption.

[kentauros]

46. True.

Though it also gives us reason for future banning. We can't block members just because we think they might be a disruption. Sometimes we have to take a hit before we can do anything about it.

[cbayer]

35. This is a new low, even for you.

[rug]

42. It is used purely for antagonism.

It's not hard to point out who uses it.

[hrmjustin]

43. Indeed!

It is not a term of endearment.

[No Vested Interest]

44. Whenever I see rude, antagonist comments I remind myself

how lucky I am not to have such a person as my next-door neighbor or co-worker or family member.
I can put that person out of my life with a click and go on my merry way.

Be grateful for small blessings.

[hrmjustin]

45. That is a blessing.

[rug]

47. Amen.

[goldent]

48. Excellent perspective!