I have a question about some threads

[MagicalMysteryDream]

Maybe this is not the right venue for this, but I saw nowhere else to ask. But I am genuinely curious and do not mean to offend. How does asking for prayers or posting about prayers for someone or some thing or some event not violate the stated rules against talking about religion and politics?

It would seem to me that offering or asking for a prayer is totally a religious aspect. Thanks for your consideration.

 

[Buckalew11]

I think the policy relates more to discussion of religion rather prayers being offered or asked for. People of all beliefs share "good thoughts", "prayers", "pixie dust" and all sorts of things here. Thereis nothing to argue about there like there can be with discussion of religion, politics and such.
You are very new here but you will find it is a pretty nice, friendly place and when push comes to shove we tend to watch each others backs even if we have histories that are less than positive.

 

[stepmommyof1]

I am not offended, I think this is a valid question. But here are my thoughts on the issue-
-people don't have to look at prayer requests or pray unless they are inclined to do so
-people posting a prayer request is maybe just a way of saying "hey something bad is happening and I could really use your support right now", which then gives people the opportunity to give their condolences, hugs, advice
-many people who respond to prayer request threads don't actually say they are going to pray: instead, they just give a hug and say the person will be in their thoughts
-many different religions pray in different ways and to different gods, so it isn't really getting specific about any particular religion

 

[marybet]

I have often wondered the same thing everytime I see a thread asking for prayers. Prayer is religious.

-people don't have to look at prayer requests or pray unless they are inclined to do so


The same could be said about a political thread but they are not allowed. Maybe if they started "pray for my candidate to win" they would allow them!

 

[MagicalMysteryDream]

I have often wondered the same thing everytime I see a thread asking for prayers. Prayer is religious.

-people don't have to look at prayer requests or pray unless they are inclined to do so


The same could be said about a political thread but they are not allowed. Maybe if they started "pray for my candidate to win" they would allow them!

I don't open prayer requests, but sometimes there is a thread when all of the sudden people starting asking for prayers or offering them. So it is hard to avoid if not in the title. I am not trying to cause a debate just asking for clarification.

 

[Rora]

I think the policy relates more to discussion of religion rather prayers being offered or asked for. People of all beliefs share "good thoughts", "prayers", "pixie dust" and all sorts of things here. Thereis nothing to argue about there like there can be with discussion of religion, politics and such.
You are very new here but you will find it is a pretty nice, friendly place and when push comes to shove we tend to watch each others backs even if we have histories that are less than positive.

I agree entirely.

I think Prayer Requests threads are generally a call for any good thoughts people can spare- whether or not they pray- at least, that is how I interpret them. Regardless of my religious beliefs, I want to let my CB friends know that I'm thinking of them/praying for them/whatever.

I choose to believe that at the end of the day, despite all our differences and repuation on the DIS, we Community Board-ers want to support each other.

 

[Acklander]

I believe when the rule came out about no religious/political discussions that they clarified at that time that it was ok to ask/give prayers.At least that's the way I remember it.

 

[CJBaby]

Maybe this is not the right venue for this, but I saw nowhere else to ask. But I am genuinely curious and do not mean to offend. How does asking for prayers or posting about prayers for someone or some thing or some event not violate the stated rules against talking about religion and politics?

It would seem to me that offering or asking for a prayer is totally a religious aspect. Thanks for your consideration.

Because it's no a debate about any aspect of religion. It's someone asking for prayers from those that pray.

 

[skater]

I love the DIS boards and I'm very respectul about not discussing my religion. However, if it became so rigid that I wasn't allowed to ask for a general prayer, I would probably be done with this forum. (Other than a few sneaky peaks looking for codes once in a while ).

 

[Scurvy]

My understanding was that the rule is intended to prevent religious discussion and debate. So thread that mentions religion would be fine but one that is a discussion of religion would not be permitted. For example, if I understand the rule correctly I could post about something someone did while I was at church and mention that it happened during church. I could even mention my denomination or say that I don't do something because it's against my religion. I couldn't try to discuss or debate a religious text, or try to convince others not to do something on the basis of a religion, or try to argue that my denomination is superior to someone else's. I would assume that the discussion of whether we should pray or not would not be allowed, nor would a debate about whether prayer works or a discussion about exactly who you're supposed to be praying to, because that would involve discussion religion. But the request for prayer isn't a discussion of religion. I think it's same as a request for "positive thoughts" or "pixie dust". Personally, I think that a thread which mentions prayer is the same as a thread that mentions voting - as long as you don't get into specifics, you aren't talking religion or politics.

I see mention of religion on vegetarian threads often and I view that the same way. I would assume that it's fine to mention that you are vegetarian because of your religious beliefs, but it wouldn't be ok to try to sway others to those beliefs or to debate the topic. To me, there's a big difference between mentioning something and debating or discussing it.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Maybe this is not the right venue for this, but I saw nowhere else to ask. But I am genuinely curious and do not mean to offend. How does asking for prayers or posting about prayers for someone or some thing or some event not violate the stated rules against talking about religion and politics?

It would seem to me that offering or asking for a prayer is totally a religious aspect. Thanks for your consideration.

I am not religious and do not pray. However I can offer a hug or good thoughts, support, etc to someone who is going through something.

I look at it as asking more for support and not just prayers.

Plus when you have been here for awhile, you sort of "cyber know" people and want to offer your help.

 

[MagicalMysteryDream]

I was just reading the sticky at the top of this forum from two years ago.

As a result, we are announcing a new policy on the DISboards, effective immediately: POLITICS AND RELIGION are no longer acceptable topics of discussion here.

This also will extend to signatures: no political statements, logos, or slogans are permitted in signatures.

Posts and threads of a political or religious nature will be locked or deleted, and are not to be restarted. We will also be updating our site guidelines to reflect this policy.

There are many sites on the web that welcome discussion and debate of a political or religious nature, but we feel that removing these topics from the DISboards altogether is in the best interests of our members. Thank you for your support and cooperation.

I guess I was confused because I see requests for prayer as a discussion of religion. Hence the confusion. No debate intended I was just trying to understand.

 

[Aisling]

Because it's no a debate about any aspect of religion. It's someone asking for prayers from those that pray.

Yes, I remember when the rule was made about no religious discussions, it was a result of all the heated religious debates. That's what's against the rules, not asking for prayers.

Now if someone starts posting on a "prayer request" thread something like "only pray for me if you're Jewish because all other religions are poppycock", then the prayer requests threads would most likely be banned, too.

I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong.

I look at it as asking more for support and not just prayers.

This, too.

 

[Dan Murphy]

.....I guess I was confused because I see requests for prayer as a discussion of religion. Hence the confusion...

I think the separator is the discussion of vs the request of prayer.

And welcome to the dis, MMD.

 

[marybet]

My understanding was that the rule is intended to prevent religious discussion and debate. So thread that mentions religion would be fine but one that is a discussion of religion would not be permitted. For example, if I understand the rule correctly I could post about something someone did while I was at church and mention that it happened during church. I could even mention my denomination or say that I don't do something because it's against my religion. I couldn't try to discuss or debate a religious text, or try to convince others not to do something on the basis of a religion, or try to argue that my denomination is superior to someone else's. I would assume that the discussion of whether we should pray or not would not be allowed, nor would a debate about whether prayer works or a discussion about exactly who you're supposed to be praying to, because that would involve discussion religion. But the request for prayer isn't a discussion of religion. I think it's same as a request for "positive thoughts" or "pixie dust". Personally, I think that a thread which mentions prayer is the same as a thread that mentions voting - as long as you don't get into specifics, you aren't talking religion or politics.

I see mention of religion on vegetarian threads often and I view that the same way. I would assume that it's fine to mention that you are vegetarian because of your religious beliefs, but it wouldn't be ok to try to sway others to those beliefs or to debate the topic. To me, there's a big difference between mentioning something and debating or discussing it.

You may be right about this regarding religion but it is not really true about politics. I mentioned the name of a former politician in a thread, no discussion involved, just his name, my post was deleted because it was political. I had no political thought when I posted it was just an example, there was no discussion about it. So I think there is a double standard as far as asking for prayers.

I do not care if they allow post about prayers, I just think it is hypocritical to say there is no religion on this board.

 

[Aisling]

I have often wondered the same thing everytime I see a thread asking for prayers. Prayer is religious.

It's not the prayers that caused the problem; it was the debates over whose religion was right and whose was wrong and who was crazy for having one.

I haven
t seen any Prayer Request threads starting fights, so I take that to mean they'll remain a safe thread on the Dis.

 

[KathyTX]

A general statement about prayer is fine.

Debates or discussion (which seems to frequently lead to debate or argument) about religious tenets or differences or who is "right" is NOT fine.

 

[metalis4ever]

I understand your question as I have asked that very question to myself many many many times when I see them on here as it does seem hypocritical....However, when one thinks about it asking for "prayers" isn't religion specific all religions pray in some form or another so it isn't exclusionary therefore such requests are inclusive of all religious beliefs and creeds well almost all inclusive they do exclude the friendly neighborhood Atheists such as myself....But it would take a bitter type of individual to start getting offended and/or debate over people asking for well wishes, thoughts and prayers

 

[marybet]

It's not the prayers that caused the problem; it was the debates over whose religion was right and whose was wrong and who was crazy for having one.

I haven
t seen any Prayer Request threads starting fights, so I take that to mean they'll remain a safe thread on the Dis.

I don't disagree with this, I understand they don't want debates. It just seems to me that you can't mention something political, even if there is no debate or discussion, without having it deleted, but you can ask for a prayer.

No political content is allowed but religious content is allowed because if you aren't religious you wouldn't be asking for prayers.

I don't open the prayer threads, I don't care if they allow them and I understand why they don't allow political debate threads. I just think you can sometimes mention politics without wanting to start a debate about it, just as you can ask for prayers without starting a debate.

 

[fall08CP]

I don't disagree with this, I understand they don't want debates. It just seems to me that you can't mention something political, even if there is no debate or discussion, without having it deleted, but you can ask for a prayer.

No political content is allowed but religious content is allowed because if you aren't religious you wouldn't be asking for prayers.

I don't open the prayer threads, I don't care if they allow them and I understand why they don't allow political debate threads. I just think you can sometimes mention politics without wanting to start a debate about it, just as you can ask for prayers without starting a debate.

I see politics on here ALL THE TIME. I think we tend to not recognize it if it goes along with our beliefs, but they are definitely on here. I keep my mouth shut to avoid getting points (oh the horror..) but I notice them weekly. You'll also notice they talk politics on the DisUnplugged podcast, including Pete who owns the boards, and it's allowed there

Political, religious, or none of the above, we all read content on here that we don't agree with. There is value in a healthy debate, but people seem to hide behind their screen names and not always think about what they're saying and how offensive it can be. I suppose they could ban debate altogether but then we'd miss out on all those great wedding threads

Back to the prayer topic, what if someone asked for "good thoughts" or "pixie dust"? It's the same general concept - encouragement, good wishes, etc. I don't think when people ask for prayers they literally mean everyone should bow down and pray, but rather send kind thoughts/good vibes their way. Is talking about Night of Joy religious? What about heaven/hell, or death/afterlife? Holidays (Christmas, Easter)? Ghosts/spirits? Yoga? We all have different definitions of what spirituality is, so we can either ban anything and everything that could possibly be included or we can tiptoe around the subject and try not to offend. I assume offending others is the reason it was banned in the first place