shelbyfv

Given the current climate, it seems we should all do what we can to focus on what unites us (here on BF it's cycling) and avoid unnecessary divisiveness and provocation. For good reason we have a P&R sub forum and political signatures are prohibited. And yet, religious signatures are still permitted. Maybe it's time to be consistent and leave all P&R in P&R.

Caymandiver1

I am offended that you might be offended. See how that works?

shelbyfv

Exactly. That's why there is a special place for P&R. FWIW, this thread was really intended for the Administrators, I don't think we get a vote....

bikemig 

I'm certain we don't get a vote but I do think we should leave people alone who wish to have a religious signature. It's pretty easy to ignore someone's sig line. In all sincerity, there must be more important things in your life to get worked up over than this.

Caymandiver1

so you really believe that expressing an opinion of a religious nature that is not encouraging/condoning hatred but just a statement of belief should be censored?

FBinNY 

I can't imagine a reason to get worked up over religious signatures here, any more than allowing people to wear things like crosses at work. A simple statement of personal religious belief is far less offensive than the idea that it should be prohibited.

Tony P.

I can't understand why allowing someone to express religious affiliation would be important, one way or the other. For me, I don't show that sort of thing but wouldn't care if others did.

Having said that, I certainly agree:

king_boru

Is this another case of hurt feelings and my opinion needs be heard and requests met or I'll make a sign and protest?

Diversity is an amazing practice if one understands and applies it's values. Your request spits in the face of diversity. One should not care if another has a religious signature or not.

God bless.

qcpmsame 

If its not an issue here why make it one? I had a bible verse in mine for years, only one guy got upset and after I explained its use he shrugged his shoulders and let it go. Someone mentioned to him he could take the option to not see sigs, he took it and was happy a clam. Actually we had done the friend thing, no idea why it suddenly was upset. I have given my thanks for surviving 16 major surgeries in 10 years, and now I have something to fight against everyday, new signature. They come and go for some us, but if it ain't broke why start fixing it and making a problem where none existed. I respect that you can ask your question and that it be considered. Now you have my thoughts also.

There are some down right crude, suggestive sigs but why start a war over words, just skip it and move on. First World problem, when other things need tending to in our lives. And, I cannot see how forcing someone to delete their signature can unite anything, you probably just drove someone away by singling them out. Hopefully this won't gain any traction. But after everything that's happened in the last 18 months all bets are off.....

Bill

shelbyfv

Interesting that there is no cry of "censorship" when even peripherally political comments are moved to P&R. Is P&R really only for P? Does consistency have no value? Aside from rules, it's true that I don't understand why some folks think their religious preferences have any relevance to cycling.

king_boru

Then perhaps you should educate yourself on what you don't understand. Perhaps starting a thread asking why and how religion benefits cyclists or empowers them would have been beneficial instead of having their beliefs questioned and scrutinized.

shelbyfv

King, I have no interest in becoming "educated" as to your religious beliefs. I have no desire to question or scrutinize them. In fact, I would prefer to not read about them while enjoying our cycling hobby on the internet. However, if it does become a concern or interest, I'm sure I would be welcome to start a thread in P&R, as you suggest. Again, P&R= Politics and Religion. With the exception of signatures, I think the mods do a good job controlling this. I'm just wondering why the exception.

jimincalif

This. Says everything necessary in one brief sentence.

king_boru

I'm not religious. Point proven. So you would rather ban everybody else's beliefs for the benefit of yours. How very diversified of you.

Siu Blue Wind

It's really hard to go through thousands of people's profiles every single day to look and see if they have a religious signature and then ask them to change it to stick to the rules. They can change their signature as they see fit and to try to monitor that every moment is a waste of volunteer time.

Oh and if you see one that is offensive to you, by all means, please report it. It will be looked at by the moderation team and considered, through research if need be.


A good example is mine. Some people believe that Buddhism is a religion when in fact it is not. It's a way of conducting life.

gregf83 

I don't care what people put in their signatures but the OP mentions political signatures are not allowed. I don't know if that's the case, but it seems if you don't allow "Make America Great Again" signatures you probably shouldn't allow religious ones.

Cyclist0108

If someone wants to advertise their irrational belief in an imaginary deity, it serves a function by alerting the reader to the nature of their critical reasoning skills.

Caymandiver1

and there it is. took all of 17 posts to get the one totally predictable post

Cyclist0108

The thing about metaphysical certitude is that you can never be pleasantly surprised.

shelbyfv

Fair enough if you are saying it's prohibited if religious. Quoting scripture seems a clear example!

Siu Blue Wind

I agree.

Machka 

Chilly, somewhat overcast, at least one day of wind each week? That current climate you're referring to is what we call "winter". Happens every year.





Or do you mean the ever-growing weirdness is one very, very strange country?

**Panic** **Panic** Take down the statues!! **Panic** **Panic**


Don't worry, you've got the "Weirdest Country on Earth" award ... you don't have to keep trying.


As for the signatures, if you don't want to see them, turn them off. Easy-peasy.

FBinNY 

I have to wonder if the real issue is religious signatures or the ban on political signatures.

qcpmsame 

Exactly my thoughts, might be time to re-evaluate some things.

shelbyfv

NO NO, please don't go there with the political signatures. A forum for another hobby had no policy until last Fall. It quickly got out of hand, as you might imagine. Much nicer now that the policy is no P&R. Personally, I do have the signatures turned off. I prefer to evaluate folks here based on their cycling related contributions w/o the clutter of their OT opinions. Yes Machka, I know the rest of the world must be concerned with the weirdness going on in the most powerful and influential nation! Hopefully we will progress through it as a bump in the road.