Forum Sanity Check

[spruce]

In various threads, members refer to people by using formal (capitalized) third party name-calling labels. I find it inappropriate and counter to community guidelines (refrain from name-calling). Am I the only one that finds them offensive?

 

[Cruciferi]

Can you give an example?

Have you discussed this with Moderation?

 

[Tis_Bearself]

Are you flagging the posts as inappropriate? If nobody flags, moderation probably never sees the post. Moderators basically just review what people flag.

 

[Beryllos]

Am I the only one that finds them offensive?

Probably not. Many members are at least disappointed to see name calling.

In various threads, members refer to people by using formal (capitalized) third party name-calling labels.

Could you clarify the issue? Does the name-calling refer to other forum participants, or to third-party politicians, or others? Are people being called by the name of political third parties, e.g., Green? Or do you mean third-person, like calling someone Ms. Pro-Choice?

 

[7_Sorrows]

Do you mean like Protestants or Evangelicals? Could
You be more specific? @spruce

 

[Tis_Bearself]

If you’ve discussed it with moderation already and they let the posts stay, then you’re running a risk of incurring some kind of moderator discipline by discussing it with the group.

We’ve all had moments where we weren’t happy with moderator decisions, but we have to put up with them. It’s not our sandbox.

 

[Cruciferi]

I’ll defer to Moderation on this then.

Have Nice Day.

 

[umamibella]

Oops. I made a mistake. I have not discussed this thread with Moderation. Or, here is an example, if you were using the 3rd party name-calling label system, you would say, “I have not discussed this thread with the Designated Forum Police Officers.” I think that’s pretty offensive.

That has not happened though has it? I have never seen (not that I have been looking too long) moderators being called anything else besides admin or moderators.
If you have a problem with a post, just flag it. I have done so and got a response, although mods are really busy and say they dont have the time to engage in conversations over issues. They do address the issue though.

 

[spruce]

I accidentally deleted my reply, so here it is again:

spruce:

Oops. I made a mistake. I have not discussed this thread with Moderation. Or, here is an example, if you were using the 3rd party name-calling label system, you would say, “I have not discussed this thread with the Designated Forum Police Officers.” I think that’s pretty offensive.

That has not happened though has it? I have never seen (not that I have been looking too long) moderators being called anything else besides admin or moderators.
If you have a problem with a post, just flag it. I have done so and got a response, although mods are really busy and say they dont have the time to engage in conversations over issues. They do address the issue though.

I understand what you are saying. I believe that approach is reactionary.
I believe people who post in these forums can learn that this behavior is offensive and not do it in the first place. As a plus, that would free up Moderators’ time.

 

[umamibella]

We are not the moderators. It really is not our job. It is theirs.

 

[umamibella]

The moderators specifically state if we have a problem flag it. Its their job. Our telling someone their post is not acceptable is in the flagging of it. Thats how we get our message across.

 

[1Lord1Faith]

I don’t remember ever seeing anything like that before.

 

[tuscany]

I think I know what you are talking about, and I hit mute/ignore so I don’t ever have to see anything that person writes again. I think some people get that way from how nasty people talk on Facebook, so they bring it here with them when they come. Just my 2 cents.

 

[yankeesouth]

As long as the priest finally came to his senses and took his job of caring for the liberal’s salvation seriously that’s all that matters.

 

[Beryllos]

It is a quest to better understand the use of these offensive third party name-calling labels in a solidly Catholic enterprise like this one.

Catholic Answers Forums is not that solidly Catholic. There is no entrance exam, no interview process, not even a requirement to be Catholic. We’re all here because we want to be and we’ve behaved well enough not to get banned. Many of us have received warnings over the years from the Moderator, warnings which tend to improve our forum behavior.

The Church here on earth is that way too. In another thread today, one member wrote about Catholics working long ago to abolish slavery. Another member replied that other Catholics were slave traders and slave owners. That tells us something about Catholics. We’re good and bad.

 

[spruce]

spruce:

It is a quest to better understand the use of these offensive third party name-calling labels in a solidly Catholic enterprise like this one.

Catholic Answers Forums is not that solidly Catholic.

Oh, when I said solidly Catholic, I was referring to the “Catholic” in Catholic Answers. I thought it referred to Catholic as in the Catholic Church, which is solid.

 

[DeniseNY]

I remember a thread like this, and as far as I know it’s either been closed or no one has posted in it for a couple of weeks Why would you bring this up again now in the open forum rather than either flagging posts you didn’t like, or discussing with a moderator?

 

[BartholomewB]

@spruce, you have only quoted one single instance of the behavior you are complaining about, namely “Whistleblower.” But is whistleblower an offensive term? I don’t think so. Look at the use of the term in connection with draft legislation before Congress, in the link I have given you here.

 

[BartholomewB]

I remember a thread like this, and as far as I know it’s either been closed or no one has posted in it for a couple of weeks

Yes, I remember it, too. I can’t find it now. Has it been pulled, do you know?

 

[spruce]

Why would you bring this up again now in the open forum rather than either flagging posts you didn’t like, or discussing with a moderator?

Thank you for offering alternative approaches. I’ll keep them in mind for future threads that are not asking fellow members what they think about something.