Religion Forum - Your Opinions

Society Religion & Philosophy
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As readers or posters of this forum, the mods are willing to hear your suggestions regarding our policies in this forum, any changes that you would like to see and any ideas to improve the forum as a whole.

The aim is to make the forum less intimidating and more open and friendly as possible, hence we’re not just looking for criticism thanks, (we get tons of that already) we want your ideas to improve them!

Please note, this isnt the cue to attack mods or start a debate over what others think. Such posts will only be removed. We would appreciate it if you leave your comments (either positive or negative) and suggestions, and we will take them into consideration in the near future.

The floor is now open for comments.

Regards

Religion Moderators.

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Re: Religion Forum - Your Opinions

Split Forums into Islam forum and Other Rlgn's. having two forums dedicated to Rlgn. will help the posters and will make Mods job easy and hastle free,

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Re: Religion Forum - Your Opinions

EDITED:

Sorry I didnt read the first post in details. So I am just leaving my comment and suggestion

I think we are better off without this forum :)

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Re: Religion Forum - Your Opinions

danial shah, if you don't mind could you please further explain how having two separate forums would make matters easier for both the members and the moderators?

Uncle Stalker, I doubt that we'd be getting rid of this forum anytime soon. However, please do tell us how it could likely be made a better place, insha'Allah.

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Re: Religion Forum - Your Opinions

Sadiyah, as long as there's arrogant, brainless idiots posting, i don't think you CAN make religion better :)

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Re: Religion Forum - Your Opinions

I agree.

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Re: Religion Forum - Your Opinions

Sara516, since religion is such a personal matter and so important to many of us that often times we tend to lose our temper or say things that we shouldn't be.

I admit I've closed down many threads in the past. However, it was only after a member PMed and explained it to me how it's detrimental did I realize that I was wrong. Therefore, a dialogue and suggestions would be very helpful.

What are some things that you'd prefer not to see here or would have implemented or changed to make it a better experience?

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Re: Religion Forum - Your Opinions

Sadiyah, I haven't been visitng religion in a long time, i dont post here too much anymore :p And when I do see threads like this I choose not to take part in them. So sorry I can't give you exact examples of what I was talking about. Basic advice I could give is, be respectful. Treat others as you want to be treated. Unfortunately these things are unknown to several Muslims :)

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Re: Religion Forum - Your Opinions

Two separate forums, in response to sadiyah's Q.

RLgn. forum,
Where people go for advice on Islam and post there questions and/or concerns. Moderators in that forum with the help of Religious posters may help them in there queries.

World Rlgn.
A forum where any and all Religious Questions, similarities between religions and other Religious questions/comments may be posted without Poster being emotionally attacked or condemned to hell and called names. There are many good debaters on GS, i.e. Mr. Fraudia, Faisal, Ravage, Code Red and UTD to name a few who are fit to moderate the new forum. In the world Rlgn. forum posters can ask questions about any religion and share there point of views. It will be easy to moderate as posters of like minds and Moderate Muslims Can discuss the Daily Questions and concerns concerning Islam and other religions in a civil manner.

Rlgn. Forum has a very bad reputation in the GS community because of few rotten apples. Who use there own ideology and version of Islam to spread hate and oppress posters. Even though these fanatic posters are few in numbers there drums are louder then the rest because of there believes and fanaticism. Moderate Muslims who don’t like arguing about religion with fanatics tend not to get into heated debates. They simply call these posters idiots or other such names as Mullah Squad etc. I think the time has come to have a healthy and open discussion about all religions in a civil manner.

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Re: Religion Forum - Your Opinions

Thanks Danial for saying in a very precise manner - What I actually wanted to say. But I dont think Ma Mooli or Sadiyah (* I am not challenging their authority - These are just my views based on observing this forum for a long time*) can do anything about them PERSONALITIES. There is a particular brand of islam, which dominates the Rel. forum.

A far cry from the real world. Wrapped in heavy duty fatwas and Quotes and References, what so ever. Anyone straying, by the breadth of a hair, from that pre-defined criteria (of being a muslim) , is immediately frowned upon and starts getting CORNERED, and ultimately just leaves... There is no concept of THINKING or analysing. Looks like it is forbidden in THAT PARTICULAR BRAND OF ISLAM. No concept of debate or a POSITIVE EXCHANGE of views. Everybody is fighting a war, that MUST BE WON

Poooffff - there goes any constructive discussion.....

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Re: Religion Forum - Your Opinions

What debate brings is a lot of Heat [hatred for that matter] while Islam is all about Light.

I got the above line from this video: http://www.watchislam.com/videos/video.php?vid=31

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Re: Religion Forum - Your Opinions

danial shah, if I understood you correctly, there should be two forums. One, the strictly moderated one that is all about the Islamic rulings and the like.

Second, world religions including Islam. However, people here will discuss freely and Islamic beliefs that suggest that the doers of such and such could end up in hell would have to be held back.

Aside from that, what is it that makes Religion forum bad? The fact that a few are able to dominate the discussions by posting material or reiterating it in their own words or the fact that the threads get locked? If it's the first one, then the moderate ones should take the initiative and argue back just as much to prove their point. I don't find it a legitimate excuse or reason if it's the issue of a few dominating the majority. However, if it's about threads getting locked down, then certainly it'll have to be looked into.

Btw... I'm not opposed to the idea of having two forums.

** Uncle Stalker**, again those having different views need to stand up and put up a fight for what they believe is to be correct, rather than leaving the discussion. If you indulge in a discussion then you should be prepared to accept that there would be individuals posting with drastically different beliefs and you'd have to either deal with it nicely or ignore it.

On the same token, I'm sure the 'mullah squad' could also argue that they get labelled as extremists and the like. They could also suggset that they get cornered and often bugged or mocked not only in Religion forum, but in other forums as well.

If you believe in something then you should have what it takes to fight for it or atleast remain steadfast on it.

If I've misunderstood anything, then please feel free to correct me.

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Re: Religion Forum - Your Opinions

No you are not wrong - In fact YOU are one of those who bring some sense into this most difficult of all forums :hehe:

(no I am not makhan lagaieng - its my honest opinion :slight_smile: )

Let me do a bit of seek and search in the old threads - I will try to post some specific examples to show what exactly I mean. For a person of even an above average level of intellect, there comes a point when he / she feels that spending any more energy and effort into this cause is just a waste - of energy and precious time, so its time to switch OFF.

After all this is just a discussion forum, if someone (or a group) wont listen and just wants to keep stabbing you , then its a lost cause.

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Re: Religion Forum - Your Opinions

I think the religion forum is fine as it is…

What people need to do when they enter it is to leave two things at the door:

  1. Pride

  2. Ego

The way that you leave pride at the door is that when someone claims that your aqeedah is shirk or non-Islamic or away from the path, the best answer to this solution is to present your case that you are right by forwarding examples from Quran and Sunnah…

Becoming angry and insulting is a surefire guarantee that you have no clauses to present hence you have a weak case…

Answer as long as you want, debate as much as you want, ask, question argue as much as you want…That is the purpose of a discussion board and that is the beauty of Islam that it has so many facets to look at…

If you find that a Muslim is sayig something that is totally against the Quran or Sunnah, tell him he is wrong…But, tell him nicely explaining your POV…Just coming out and calling someone a Mushrik or Bida’ai (innovator) will inflame prides and is not very Islamic to begin with…

And if you do call someone a Mushrik or a Bida’ai, then tell them why they are such…

And if you do get called a Mushrik or a Bida’ai, then be a Muslim and ask for explanations without getting riled up…

If you can carry on a discussion without getting riled up, then this place is the coolest place on GS…I love Religion forum…

The Holy Prophet :saw: said, let him who has good to say, say it or remain quiet…Meaning, if you have something to contribute, do it or stay away…

need for speed undercover
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Re: Religion Forum - Your Opinions

I have been a big fan of Br. Estes for a long time…

Watching…

Thanks for sharing…

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Re: Religion Forum - Your Opinions

I think we can have a sub forum in which only selected posters can post about heated/sensitive discussions.

Posters derailing/starting hate discussions be stopped from posting in that forum .

However if some one posts with references about/against some group in a related discussion this should not be treated as hate discussion.

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Re: Religion Forum - Your Opinions

think its more of a matter of people than topics and views that should be moderated. Any division of the forums will inevitably result in the problems of this present arrangment migrating to one or more of the subforums within religion.

what happened to the rating system that was going to be implemented, is that still to be done? Maybe once thats in place the quality will automatically go up and in a way that will hopefully not reflect the biases of a few people (though the biases of the group might not be palatable to all, but nothings perfect)

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Re: Religion Forum - Your Opinions

I would partially agree with Lajawab’s list, rather i’d like to add 1 more thing. When entering the forum, people need to leave 3 things:

  1. Ego
  2. Pride
  3. Fatwas – from GS Aalims having self understanding of Quran and rejecting all other references that are provided from the work of classical Ulemas of the Ummah. Claiming every belief of other muslims as shirk without any proper reference. These self established shirk related fatwas are completly misleading all the Muslims.

The Being of the Almighty Allah is indeed One. It is only those who are ignorant and persist in being ignorant need an explanation on how Almighty Allah is One and is actually Present. Those who are Allah-conscious do not desire an explanation on this subject of Tauheed and Shirk. They in fact accept without questioning. There is a famous proverb in the Arabic language which is as follows:

Al Ashyaa’u tu’rafa bi azdaadihi
“Objects are indeed understood by its opposites.”

For example, peace can only be understood and appreciated by that person who has felt and experienced anxiety. That person though who has not felt anxiety, cannot appreciate peace. In the same manner, Day cannot be understood if a person has not experienced the Night. Likewise, if a person has not comprehended misguidance how is it possible for him to understand guidance? Using this very principle, we may ask, if a person has not understood “Shirk” or Polytheism, how is it possible for him to appreciate or comprehend “Tauheed” or Monotheism? It is, therefore, only logical that after we have understood Shirk can we then understand Tauheed.
The Almighty Allah has in fact very clearly explained the action Shirk and Tauheed, thereby completely eradicating the concept of non-religion. It is very surprising that after explaining the differences in the concept of Tauheed and Shirk so clearly, there are still doubts in the minds of those whose sole duty it is to destroy the concept or fundamentals of unity found in Islam.

I would quote the same Hadeeth here :
The Holy Prophet :saw: said, let him who has good to say, say it or remain quiet…Meaning, if you have something good to contribute, do it or stay away…

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Re: Religion Forum - Your Opinions

Lajjo has so rightly stated everything in such beautiful words.

This place is the best, is moderated by very good people. I would like to commend on the Xcellent job you guys & gals are doing.

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Re: Religion Forum - Your Opinions

Its a good discussion forum.. .people get agitated and say things, those are part of discussion. I have two suggestions..
1. Mods look not only on language of posts, also on intent of the thread and posts. Many a times threads kept going despite clarifications, just because a person wants to keep pushing a point. These threads become repetitive boring... and dont' add value.

  1. There is a great suggestion about threads for Sr. Members, or members who get points based on some good comments and only thy being allowed in those threads. This will keep lot of stupid comments out of sensitive topics....

OVerall you guys are doing a good job given your understanding of what's right and what's wrong and upbrigning....... Keep it up...