[Cerek the Barbaric]

Originally posted by Vaskez: Oh forget it, I've had enough to last me a lifetime of Christianity dissers and jokers. People start having bloody heart attacks and popping blood vessels when there is an injustice against a woman or a black person or any minority group or anything "politically incorrect" is said. But it's ok to rip the piss out of Christians, completely ridiculing their beliefs and laughing at their teachings? Sometimes I feel like kicking some serious ass around here. Some people who don't even have the foggiest what they're talking about spout utter crap 99% of the time. Religious debates are completely useless on forums, I've learned that much, that's why I'm not getting into it. So let's just leave it at that.

I wouldn't have put it so bluntly myself, but I agree with a lot of what you said here, Vaskez. There was a time when we were able to have some very interesting and informative discussions about religion here at IW, but those days seem like ancient history now. The difference then was that the members in those previous discussions remained respectful in their comments even when their theoligies were in complete opposition to those of other members. I took part in several discussions with Wiccans, pagans, agnostics, atheists, and even Satanists. I didn't agree with a lot of what they said, but - by remaining respectful of their beliefs - I gained a lot of valuable insight and knowledge I wouldn't have otherwise.

But I don't see much evidence of that mutual respect any more. And because of that, I don't have much desire to participate in these discussions any more either.