Kieran McConville said:
Can I think of a single reason why I would answer this question honestly, on this forum? Well, no, I can't. Ain't that something.
Good for you
Dont answer it, its not really that hard, it shouldnt even be an issue... You dont wanna post, fine, who cares, dont post then. There have been limited number of members actually posting in here, and noone said you cant vote and just not post, like really, the votes are confidential, but if youre not even comfortable with that, dont make a big deal out of it - there are thousands of members here who many not even know the thread exists, or do and just chose to ignore it, they didnt make a big deal out of it so why should you? Instead of demanding everyones attention because you have such an
important announcement to make, dont waste our time, we were enjoying ourselves quite fine without having to get into off topic discussions on the morality of whether or not you want to choose to tell people something about you or not. Your choice, yours alone, dont need to justify it to anyone, end of story.
Originally posted by Angela Harlem
Oh and congrats to those who pass judgement in here! Excellent to see!
The fact that this is a public forum, and people post here of their own free will means squat.
Judgement.
On who's right?
Hmmm 'the fact that this is a public forum, and people post here of their own free will means squat'. So our free will means squat too? If we see something we want to comment on, we're not allowed to because that would violate someone elses free will? I dont really understand the logic of that statement. By posting, you automatically accept the risk that someone is either going to disagree with you, be offended by your statement regardless of whether offense was intended or not, agree with you, or be morally outraged by your opinions. Now, if theyre morally outraged by your opinions, are they going to sit idly by and let you go about your business, no probably not. Why? Because deep down everyone is idealistic enough to think that everyone should believe in the same things they do so that there will be no conflict, that maybe if they saw things our way (perhaps seeing what theyre doing as wrong or immoral) theyd perhaps realise the value of virginity as we see it, or what should be the inherent value of self that goes along with not fucking half the world.
Our right to freedom of speech allows us to voice our opinions and judgements, whether you like it or not is really too damn bad, because you cant give some the right to speak but not others. I dont think there was any case where the judgements passed in this thread went unresolved and ended up deeply upsetting someone. So what pray tell is the point of saying oooh dont judge. There are some things that shouldnt be judged, thats true, but you can still see things as wrong, specific example, I still dont agree with ravenstar's somewhat (in my opinion) immature attitudes towards virginity, but I never once thought that (s?)he was a bad person, this information didnt change my life, I didnt think any less of him(her) than I did before. I didnt barate and scrutinize anyone severely enough or in such a way that further intelligent discussion around the topic could not be had. Theres a difference between judging peoples thoughts and opinions and openly judging their character.
Judging peoples character usually does not warrant second chances, its usually first impression type stuff, but first impressions have already been made by me of these people, so its not like im going to be closedminded about them and give them no chance to refute my arguements or have a conversation. Its not like I said hmmm well he/she/it is a dumb fuck, oh that person over there is smart but misguided but rather than say anything helpful ill just give him/her a swift tongue lashing, oh and this person over here has an immature attitude so I better be condescending and never admit that theyre entitled to their own views. I was trying to be helpful. Some others were too. Sure maybe people were being judgemental but I cant say that I saw too much of that going on. Criticism versus judgement is very different, and I believe youre smart enough to not need to be told that.
So yes, thanks for that congratulations, it is indeed excellent, and I shall continue it for many many years to come. I never once said I was right though, nor did I say agree with me or tremble before my might, I forced nothing upon anyone, and I didnt group anyone here with any stereotype. I dont know when keeping an open mind suddenly became wrong, but not you or anyone else is going to take away my right to speak freely. Its not like I just showed up and started badmouthing people, I came relatively close to the begining and stayed to the end. People can feel free to say what they want about my arguments, but IM not just running my mouth for the sake of talkign and making others feel ashamed of themselves, Im speaking with perpose, and I have not hidden myself from the criticism of others, but just because they chose not to pick apart every single thing I said doesnt mean that I cannot do the same and discuss it with them. In the end, they dont even have to agree, but theyll be a little more enlightened to one of the many sides of a highly faceted issue.
Does it not also seem a bit ironic that you come in here chastizing those who judge, and yet grouping everyone together under the same idea. That they would judge for the sake of being cruel and of being right. Your statement about people posting of free will alludes to it right away even though you didnt come out and say it, why else would there be a problem with judging peoples statements unless you thought it was being cruel. But yet you judge the judges and assume they have the same reasons for saying what they have, you assume that youre right, youre no better than they are making that statement. Now maybe Im wrong, but thats how I see it, you left your words up for a great deal of interpretation. Dont make statements that have no basis or backup at all, give us at least some indication of what it is youre talking about so that I dont have to try and cover all the bases myself with a sweeping analyzation and generalized interpretation.
