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Talk is good.Even When heated.

At best it's truly fascinating and fun, at worst well... if you don't like it, don't click the thread? I guess.

Ive been warned in the off topic forum by MODs for getting a little out of hand, so i dont go there anymore; but i think its a great place for these types of discussions. We need to have real talks about Religion and politics because both of these issues can lead to very dead people, or other serious events impacting our lives. At least in a forum like this, there is a MOD who can help keep things from getting out of hand. When its just me outside planned parenthood and surrounded by protestors, things escalate quick.

I think ultimately it's down to the mods. If the threads generate more work than simply closing them as soon as they start then why not? Off-topic doesn't really contribute to the rest of the forum.

Yes, an off topic forum is an off topic forum. Civil discussions are the foundation to understanding other people, and it's a sad fact that some people can't be civil in these discussions. It sure sounds like those threads has to be moderated more. All persons involved should probably benefit from an zero-tolerance policy towards bad/rude behavior. And instead of just locking the thread, suspend those who can't behave themselves, for some time (or permanently for repeated offences)!

I couldnt care less, tbh. I do not and will not ever visit that forum becasue I do not care about Off topic threads. I come here for On-topic, that is, wargaming.

Both are touchy subjects. A separate section if the admins would agree to it

I don't really care.

I find these topics interesting. I think forums can be a healthy place for people to express themselves on these topics. I think that so long as people continue to abide by the general rules of dakka, there should be no prohibition against these kinds of threads.

Art imitates life. We cannot turn away from the heated debate, so long as it is intelligent not a stupid my Dad is better than your Dad level argument (it puts the orphans on edge).

It won't affect me - due to people behaving so poorly, so often, in the off-topic parts of various other boards I've been on I don't even look at them. On principle I'm very against political and religious discussions on themed boards, but people will blow up over things on or off topic anyway.

We already have the Scrub vs Powergamer arguments, which are pretty much the same thing.

Formed adults rarely if ever change their mind. You will go through your adult life with less than a handful of chances to see a true sea change in a person. The sum bulk of most of these 'discussions' are alternating sequences of mental masturbation and mounting of high horses.

With that said censorship is bad, so by default none is needed here.

If people keep it civil and respect others' views, I don't see why not.

My general opinion on both is F@k those liars and delusional idiots.