Ad Hom Enforcement

Euphrates · Post by **Euphrates** » Tue May 18, 2010 3:44 pm

What is this forum's policy on personal attacks, and what qualifies as a personal attack? Are we supposed to report such attacks?

Post by **otseng** » Mon Jun 21, 2010 9:04 am

Skyangel wrote: Why cant people report themselves before anyone else does? Would it not be easier to report oneself and tell the moderators I just called a spade a spade so the spade might just get offended and report me?

If you feel that you made an inappropriate post and realize that after your time is up to edit it, you can PM me to delete the post.

McCulloch · Post by **McCulloch** » Mon Jun 21, 2010 10:08 am

Skyangel wrote: I never intend to break rules and neither do I intend to offend anyone but I do intend to speak the Truth which is on my heart and mind. Is there a law against speaking the Truth or only when it might happen to offend others?

There is no rule against speaking truth here. However there is a vast difference between what any of us feel is true and what can be objectively shown to be true. In civil debate, we strive to focus on what can be shown to be true.

Skyangel wrote: If there is a law against speaking the Truth that offends others then how do we know if people will be offended by the Truth if we don't anticipate their reactions?

People are sometimes offended by truth. That cannot be helped. However, the phrasing of the response can be insulting or not.

For example, I might truthfully respond to a debater (no longer posting on this site), something like, "You are a moron and a bigot." This would, even if true, be offensive and against the rules. It would be better for me to have responded against the ideas that the person has expressed and to show why those ideas are not acceptable intellectually or socially. He might still take offense, but I have broken no rules and have behaved civilly.

Skyangel wrote: I am merely saying that it is impossible to never offend anyone, no matter what a person says or does, someone else can take offense at it if they decide to do so.

I agree. I am merely suggesting that we speak truth, civilly and without malice, and if someone else gets offended, leave it up to them to decide that an offense has been made. I see no advantage to preemptively report your own posts as being offensive. You might be surprised, no one may take offense.