These discussions would be so much more efficient and so much more beneficial if they weren’t so hostile. It’s really irritating trying to learn other peoples way of thinking and find a way to challenge them in an intellectual, productive and objective manner when you have to filter through all this…
It’s especially sad when it seems to be coming from people who otherwise seem so witty, clever and resourceful- it just seems such a waste how their attitude nullifies all that… 
It’s not everyone, but it’s definitely not rare either… Just such a shame…
Re: Really, what's with the hostility around here...
it is a shame. There are some here who are here not to learn or share anything but just too flame. They are dellusional if they think they can not be figured out. Then there are others who are so stuck in whatever they were indoctrined with that they lack the capacity to even be reasonable and listen to someone with a different point of view and discuss in a civil manner.
at one time a moratorium was declared on discussions as such to prevent the pollution of the forum.
Re: Really, what's with the hostility around here...
amen
Re: Really, what's with the hostility around here...
Tolerance seems to have disappeared and everyone thinks that their point of view is correct and the rest are not worth listening to. If anyone disagrees with them, they lack knowledge to argue in a civil manner with them, so they resort to name calling and rude posts. Shame on them.
I think I am getting tired of saying let's all be Muslims first and foremost because that's what we are. Anything else is secondary. Anyone who thinks to the contrary is doing a disservice to himself and to our religion. Wake up.
Re: Really, what's with the hostility around here...
good points ehsan bhai..
yet you are too kind. let me complete your sentence...
wake up...because if you dont, that is your problem and your loss, but we are not going to let your lack of sense continue to pollute our forums for too long. word to the wise. dont say we did not warn you.
Re: Really, what's with the hostility around here...
i think its a bit too much to expect these debates to not degenerate into verbal barrages and machismo when people are left by themselves. sooner or later one guy starts acting like a jerk and the other reciprocates.
that said i dont like the complete shelving of divisive topics simply because its a pain policing them. after all this is reflective of the divisions in our society too, and burying your head in the sand and saying we're not going to talk about them has ensured a closeted kooain ke maindak existence for all parties involved. infact its because people spend most of their lives discussing between themselves how great their own point of views are without having them tested from a different perspective that people are all the more cocky about how right they doubtless are and how absurd a differing viewpoint must be.
so let people talk but moderate brutally.
Re: Really, what's with the hostility around here...
i suggest instead of avoiding the topic the religion mods should hold a formalized series on sect issues, allowing those who are interested in these things to express their POVs in a coherent, moderated debate much like the ones initiated by USResident and the old man. make it a sticky, keep it clean, and let them have at it for as long as they can sustain it. set a precedent for decent debates and maybe it will stick, atleast you will have something to point to when people go wrong.
Re: Really, what's with the hostility around here...
ravage, i like your idea. now since mods are not online 24/7, the sensible posters could help things by just ignoring the idiots ..mods would then clean up the garbage when they log on.
Re: Really, what's with the hostility around here...
while i have your ear it would also be nice if there is a limit on the number of simultaneous threads on sect topics, especially when its the same posters in all threads.
Re: Really, what's with the hostility around here...
sure, i think it would be a good practice to merge such threads. challenge again is that the usual suspects take the same damn argument into any single thread that they step in.
That you for your suggestions.
Re: Really, what's with the hostility around here...
This is a sensitive time, as temperatures are usually high during Muharram. Hopefully things will settle down shortly. Any kind of religious discussion, if not handled with care, has the potential to turn ugly very quickly.
Re: Really, what’s with the hostility around here…
I agree it is a sensitive time. But why is it that its during this sensitive time that its considered open season on shias?Here are the main threads recently that have been sectarian in nature:
Number of Sons:Hadrat Ali 
Who killed Hazrat Hussain r.a?
Muharram Starts!!! Some Important Questions to Ask (Exclusive)
Imam Mahdi Introduction
Go through each one of them and you’ll see either topic itself is antishia or someone posted enquiring about shia beliefs only for the very second post to a defamation of their beliefs. From there on ends…its usually a non stop brawl.
Re: Really, what's with the hostility around here...
^ . . . and all of these threads are started by anti-Shia 'internet debators', compelling and dragging Shia into it for no reason. I said "no reason" because their attitude is to prove Shia 'wrong' rather than a sincere quest and valid eagerness to learn what Shia believe. So that the reason they dive headlong into this swamp where unity seekers fear to tread.
These darn allegations and accusations on Shia won't lead'em anywhere. I bet
Anyways, I'm backing off.
Blessed be. . .
Re: Really, what's with the hostility around here...
These darn allegations and accusations on Shia won't lead'em anywhere. I bet
Anyways, I'm backing off.
Blessed be. . .
Every year before Muharram starts pro yazid lobbies try their level best to stop Hussaini Mission through media (radio/tv/newspapers/ internet) / illiterate fake molvies / scholars/ Suicide booming/KKs/TTs/Booms, however they (Pro Yazidi groups) had never able in past and will not able in future to stop Majalis e Aza, Hussaini procession across globe
Re: Really, what's with the hostility around here...
Why are shias only sad or display their sadness during Muharram? What happens the rest of the year... temporary memory loss kicks in or something?
Whats with the "pro yazidi" crap?
You think that types of things that happen during the matams and how horses are dressed as if Imam Hussain/Hasan were on them.... and shia "imams" are worshipped would be approved by those who shias mourn? The karbalites couldn't do much when these "imams" were being killed and now we have these sanctimonious "processions" for few days in Moharram, what a regretful way to pay respect.
Re: Really, what's with the hostility around here...
Folks, what about 'live and let live'? I think a more pertinent question is why do people get so offended so quickly and so consistently in reaction to what others are doing? Its not to say that people should not get offended per se (I also get offended many times), but how do some people keep engaged on the same topic, picking same kind of arguments day in and day out with same people. I suppose the only reason you get going in the same vain every day is a sense that what you are doing is some kind of jihad. Otherwise this all is so repetitive. Or will be after a while.
Re: Really, what's with the hostility around here...
just because someone aint on board regarding zanjeer matam and slicing babies heads open or horsey processions does not make that person pro-yazid or anti ahle e bait.
its not black and white , there are not just 2 extremes here, there is not even a continuum between 2 extremes. there are divergent viewpoints and perspectives that simply can not be understood using a polarized balck/white aproach.
Re: Really, what's with the hostility around here...
Whats with the "pro yazidi" crap?
You think that types of things that happen during the matams and how horses are dressed as if Imam Hussain/Hasan were on them.... and shia "imams" are worshipped would be approved by those who shias mourn? The karbalites couldn't do much when these "imams" were being killed and now we have these sanctimonious "processions" for few days in Moharram, what a regretful way to pay respect.
Why you have issues if we do all that (Majlis / Azadari)?We didn’t tell u stop doing you guys do in your life.
Re: Really, what's with the hostility around here...
[quote]
Why are shias only sad or display their sadness during Muharram? What happens the rest of the year... temporary memory loss kicks in or something?
[/quote]
Sir, we have majalis in our (centers/Imam Bargah/Masajids) and gathering across the globe throughout the year we are not tropical or seasonal on every Thursday night (shab e juma) we do remember grand son of prophet.
Re: Really, what's with the hostility around here...
Because thats common sense.
[quote]
Whats with the "pro yazidi" crap?
[/quote]
Anyone who has no respect for the Imam is a Yazidi. And if you blow yourself up in majalis of Imam Hussain a.s. then you are a Pro-Yazidi for sure.
[quote]
You think that types of things that happen during the matams and how horses are dressed as if Imam Hussain/Hasan were on them.... and shia "imams" are worshipped would be approved by those who shias mourn? The karbalites couldn't do much when these "imams" were being killed and now we have these sanctimonious "processions" for few days in Moharram, what a regretful way to pay respect.
[/quote]
blah blah blah...thats all you guys can do at the end. Just leave the 'processions' to us and only we will be held responsible for our actions.