is it just me?

some of the topics that come up make me rather uncomfortable over there/.

I hesitate to voice my own opinion (ok, I flat out DON'T), because I know how I will be perceived.

Anyone else?

Since no one else has popped in, I'll post just so you won't be lonely, Michelle.

Yes, sometimes it can get pretty hairy in the big league!  But I do like to lurk & see what's goin' on.  Just eavesdropped on an interesting discussion in Christian Forum here, so it can be funny anywhere; as they say in England "there's nowt (nothing) weirder than folk."   LOL

Margaret ;)

Sorry to hear that you have felt uncomfortable.  I have never felt on comfortable but I think it is because I constantly remind myself that nobody here knows me and I don't know anybody here. It makes it much easier to not take things so personally.. Everyone everywhere always has an opinion sometimes they are right and sometimes they are wrong, but I must say some converstions on here are very interesting.   Take care and have a great night.

carey A.

Oh, yes, it's happened to me before.  I am very careful about what I post in the forums.  PBS is a fun hobby for me, and I want it to remain stress-free!  Sometimes I'll draft a response and then erase it rather than post, just to get something out of my system.  Occasionally I will post what I fear may be a slightly controversial comment, and then I do stress a little bit about what the reactions are going to be.  Most of the time I try to post positive or encouraging comments and remain a lurker in (or simply don't go into) the more controversial threads.  So you are not alone, Michelle.

I would encourage anyone to start voicing their opinion in any of the forums. You have a right to post your opinion no matter what it is as long as you are courteous and respectful (even if someone else here in not so courteous and respectful in answer to yours.)  A variety of ideas make the forums much more interesting than having everyone agree exactly on each topic. After all, there wouldn't really be a  need to have a forum at all if everyone was in total agreement with everyone else on everything.  Agree to disagree and don't be afraid to tell your thoughts in any of the forums. Don't take comments different from yours  so personal. Stand up and be counted as the saying goes.

Oh Kristen - if you only KNEW how many post I draft then erase!!!   I love the forums and respond often.   However, I tend to not comment on controversial subjects.  I find that most who post in them have very firm mind sets and anything I say will never be considered.   I do not need more stress in my life and arguing on here just doesn't make sense.   I've found myself doing that once or twice and I always hate that I've gotten "drawn in" to a controversial subject. 

I think I will stick to keeping quiet about the ones I think would cause trouble if I added my two cents. It's hard to keep quiet sometimes though. :D

I don't think anyone should feel they have to keep quiet - just be respectful of others' beliefs.

I became uncomfortable once in the chat room when someone was opening writing about being an athesist.  I'm a Christian:  I respected her views but I had to speak up and share my views with her.  It concerned me that she felt the way she did.........I hope I wasn't "preaching" to her and she understood.   I don't go to the chat room much and even less after that experience.....

I very much enjoy reading the vast array of viewpoints here. Often, though, I have seen others who share similar view points as mine, who  are very politey and respectfully presenting them,  get completly trashed for their opinions in these forums ... the respect is not returned.    Like others have mentioned, the stress of that possibility is just not worth it, so I pretty much remain a lurker.

I never post anything controversial... I stick to the "Recipe ideas?" "My kids are driving me crazy" and "What's your favorite?" topics.  I almost never post on religion, politics or 'moral issues'.  I have my own opinions about many things, and expressing them just isn't worth the kinds of responses I sometimes see, or labels.  So I type long posts, then delete them like Cozette does. 

[quote]

I have my own opinions about many things, and expressing them just isn't worth the kinds of responses I sometimes see, or labels. So I type long posts, then delete them like Cozette does.
[/quote]

me too.  I stay out of religion, politics, moral issues and raising kids (since I don't have any of my own, who am I to judge?)

anyway, I don't get into my belief system or my morals because they may not be the standard or accepted opinion.

I love to debate, and actually, my "home" site is a debate site, so I let my opinions fly when the mood strikes.  As long as I'm respectful, I dont' much care what others think or do.  If someone is rude or nasty to me, that speaks to the kind of person THEY are, not my opinion. :)

I rather enjoy debating too, but mostly only because I feel like I'm playing devil's advocate by introducing a controversial or non-mainstream thought into the forum and seeing how people respond to it.

I don't generally shy away from controversy and don't mind sharing my opinion or reading others. The only thing that bothers me is when people are malicious or disrespectful. When that happens, the real message is lost and there is no point in continuing with the discussion.

On a different note, I just wanted to tell the folks who write out their thoughts and then erase them before posting - save them! Copy and paste it to your computer and make it part of an private online diary. You may enjoy going back to read these collective thoughts from time to time.

I'm sorry that folks feel they are uncomfortable posting to the main forum.  I value this place so much.  Like others I like debate and I also enjoy seeing other people's perspectives.  Things can get out of hand sometimes.  I don't there is any reason to show disrepect or attack people.  When I see those post, I ignore them and try to redirect the conversation as they are unproductive and many times hurtful.

I try to be respectful of everyone else's feelings without hiding my own opinion.  I was one of those people that I hung out here for about a month before I even said anything (and I think that was a question about PBS).  I often write and rewrite my posts on controversial topics only because I know my first response is going to be my most emotional--and it isn't always the best one to put a public face on!  But I know that about 50% of the people will disagree with what I have to say.  As long as they respond in a thoughtful manner, I don't mind.  I look at it as an opportunity to review my own beliefs, modify them or reaffirm them.

I've been on other message boards/forums where you can't even discuss music without ruffling people's feathers.  I'm amazed at how PBS members keep things on an even kiel (that doesn't look right!  LOL) for the most part even on some touchy subjects.

I hope over time you all will feel more comfortable jumping in.

I'm not shy about posting on the main forums, but I pick and choose the conversations that I am comfortable with contributing to also. I figured it was about time to explore some of the other boards as well now that I've been here for a little while :)

Dory

Dory, I think it's good that folks are using the other forums.  Club Member Thoughts was overused.  I think people posting in the topic forums allows folks with similar interests to share their thoughts.

Oh come on your opinion is just as valuble as anyone elses and if they (collective) dont like it they can lump it. As long as your respectful in your post there should be no reason to fear the forum. Its the internet its not like they can deck you for saying something. All they can do is fire back with snarky comments.

I do feel there is a difference between argueing for the sake of it and expressing an opinion though. A lot of times I see post where its obvious that person said something just to say something or to get the last word. I Ignore those people. You'll find that the majority of people here are very open minded and polite. You'll also find here that a lot of people see a difference of opinion as an attack of their own. If you keep in mind that my opinion may not be the same as your but its just as valuble then I welcome you to any post I create.

I have one going now about The Bible Code. A long while back when The DaVinci Code was so popular I did a post about it. It got into serious debate about religion but stayed completely civil and thought provoking. I dont have an outlet for intelligent conversation in my everyday life, (well until I teach the cat about quantum theory) so this place is like a haven for me.

Bring on what ever you want to talk about and just remember what good ole Aunt Eller said "I don't say I'm no better than anybody else but I'll be damned if I ain't just as good." Same goes for opinions. I dont say mine is better than anybody elses but I'll be damned if it aint just as good.

Chris, where is your Bible Code thread?  Sounds interesting.

Yeah, know what you mean about the cats - mine are just too lazy to read and don't know nuthin', makes for boring converations!

Cheers, Margaret.

Its in Club Members Thoughts heres a link: http://www.paperbackswap.com/forum/view_topic.php?t=77297

Ooh, thanks for the quick response.  Must be hanging out here this fine morning. 

I took a class years ago with a rabbi, whose field is comparative religion, an incrediblely intelligent and fascinating man.  He talked about the codes way before the idea went "main stream", he also mentioned that the Hebrew numbers also have some code uses.  Then there's the topic of Lexigrams, where you can take names (people, places, anything) and play around with the letters to make new words.  It's all so strangely workable that it's quite creepy!  I must get into this again.  Thanks, Margaret

Im having a fit of insomnia so Ive been around all morning. :D

I agree with Chris.  People will disagree, but so what?  You are as entitled to your opinion as anyone else.

Right now there is an imaginary war that all christians are against halloween on the forums. Some article was used on it.I think some of the people there are just using it to bash on Christians. I hope it makes them feel real good about themselves. There are good christians and bad ones just like any other religious or non-religious person.  If you just paint everybody of one religion with a broad stroke then its your own fault for missing out on some great people.