Christians, how can we make this forum a better place to be without sending out violation notices?

• A lot of people are blaming the Christians for their intolerance on this forum. Most of my friends, including many Christians, are getting violation notices, often for things that really do not violate the TOS. In fact, several Christians are leaving the forum because of the issues going on in what is becoming a police state on here. What is happening as a result is an air of distrust and animosity towards the Christians here. In the zeal to "clean up this town" a lot of resentment is being generated, because many questions are not worthy of a violation notice. Do you really think that sending out a violation notice is the way that Jesus would handle this? Why not answer a counterpoint,, thumbs down, or better yet ignore those questions you don't like? Do you really think that Jesus would click on the report button for every post he did not approve of? Help me to learn why you feel a need to click on the report button?

• Answer:

  Wish I'd gotten to this earlier. I doubt many will see what I have to say. If I may use us as an example, Searcher . . . Everyone: Searcher is one of my contacts. She is a Christian. I'm agnostic. She's vehemently pro-life. I'm vehemently pro-choice. She's a self-described "fundie." I'm a sarcastic, cynical snot. We absolutely adore each other. If the two of us can not only get along, but also have great respect and love for each other, the rest of you--believers and nonbelievers alike--can knock off the reporting. I say this ESPECIALLY if you are American. You cannot believe in freedom of speech AND report people. It is an illogical contradiction in theory. Instead of running to the "authorities," take a stand and challenge that person. If someone offends you, say so and respectfully explain why. In other words, step up and be adults about it. Show some maturity. Show an appreciation for those who are different from you. Show the people who post "offensive" material that they are being inappropriate, not by reporting them, but by taking the high road and explaining WHY they are being offensive. If they don't listen, don't try to control the situation by reporting. Just move on. You can't change them. If we all took responsibility for our own words, I think everyone on here would be a lot happier. /rant EDIT: Case in point, Oregon Flower reported me because I called her out on something she said that I thought was hateful. I did so by asking a question about her statement, stating she was the one who said it, and linking to her comment. Yet here she is not taking responsibility for the reporting she's done. She claims she "rarely" reports, yet I know several in my contacts who have been reported by her. I'm calling you out again, Oregon Flower. Are you going to report me?