Religion, politics, and other Trains.com forum no-nos

[Bergie]

Let's move on... [Locked]

[TomDiehl]

Gee, you think maybe there's a reason there's a big blue block at the top of the page that says "Model Railroader?"

But I do agree with the concensus, if you're tired of talking about trains or model railroading, you're on the wrong forum. When first signing on to this forum, I believed it to be a place where you could post a question about a probem you've run into, and have someone else post "I had that problem too, and this is what I did." Or several "someone elses." I've picked up info and shared experiences related to trains and model trains on numerous occasions on this forum. Pretty much what I expected on a forum named "Trains" and "Model Railroader."

[vsmith]

FORD vs CHEVY?

Viper?

Oh come on guys...PORSCHE all the way!!!!

a comment reposted from another soon to be Nuked topic, sums up about 4 years of observation on this subject...

'...Stay here and talk trains all you want, but I dont want to discuss my religious beliefs or my political viewpoints because over the last 4 years I've been here on these forums I have seen EVERY topic that brings religion or politics into them devolve into a shouting yelling flamefest that had to be deleted and a few memebers banned from the forums for insisting on pushing thier personal views on everyone else. The end result created a great deal of animosity among members, scaring off many, some who never came back. And I certainly dont want to have someone elses personal religious beliefs imposed into my hobby, religion/politics, please leave them at the door, thats why many of us here are rather insistant that we keep the politics and the religion to your personal e-mails. Nothing good will come of it...."

FORD? Oh boy......[V][:o)][;)]

[Anonymous]

Thank you Very much "Bergie" for policing this forum. I believe that this forum and it's members should only talk about model railroading and trains. If people desire to talk about other topics, then they should go to another forum somewhere else. And, this forum needs to be a good clean discussion group where everybody, kids, adults, and seniors can all come and enjoy talking about the wonderful world of Model Trains. Once again, thank you very much "Bergie" for your efforts on keeping this a good forum.

[Anonymous]

In the debate of Ford vs Chevy I choose a SANTA FE 4-8-4, it'll take both of them out - even at the same time.

[ChessieFan13]

well IMHO this forum is for anything that has to do with trains and model railroading nothing more nothing less. If we all cant just get along and talk(type) trains then there is something wrong. This remindes me of something my father told me.............If you dony have anything nice to say then dont say anything at all. Just my opinion[:D][:)]

[TrainFreak409]

QUOTE: Originally posted by 8500HPGASTURBINE

Mustang vs. Viper.

Mustang for me everytime![:D]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by espeefoamer

Another subject certain to cause much flaming; Apple vs. Microsoft[}:)].
Prepare to duck and cover!

espee,

What debate? anyone that is serious about computers knows that Linux is the best [;)]

Those 2 companies have a religion all their own, that's for sure.

As for some place that has some very heated debates (if you can call them that) is the Atlas N scale forum, when they discuss Atlas Code 55 vs. Peco vs. Kato. Those are pretty bad.

[ARTHILL]

Remember when we argued over brass verses nickle/silver and whether the cost was worth it. There were even some extreemists who though code 80 was going to be the thing of the future. Of course some of you can remember when HO was the flaming new kid on the block.

[espeefoamer]

Another subject certain to cause much flaming; Apple vs. Microsoft[}:)].
Prepare to duck and cover!

[vsmith]

Would you go into someones house and put up a picture or religious symbol they found offensive on their wall, no, you wouldnt because that would be frightningly self righteous, nor would you go into someones house and throw out a picture or objectof thiers you found offensive, wouldnt you simply get up and leave?

We are in someone elses house here so we need to remember that the homeowner has the right to allow what ever they feel is appropriate and not allow what they feel is inappropriate.

While we may get into disagreements, even full blown arguments, if that argument gets nuked by Bergie, we have to accept that.

My trouble with posting about religion, or politics, is that invariably it always boils down to a "my brand X is better that your brand Y" or "Your wrong beacause I know I'm right" mindsets, thats why they are so inaapropriate for a model trains forum, what does this have to do with our hobby? Nothing.

[andrechapelon]

Why all the brouhaha?

It could be worse. I went to a religious site and posted about trains.

My post was deleted.

I was banned from the site.

I got a nasty email informing me that I was going to Hell.[(-D]

They just didn't get it. Life without trains IS Hell.

Andre

[AntonioFP45]

[

QUOTE:
I'm sorry, Bergie, but I don't agree with you... I know this is your site, and you could kick me off of it with the single stroke of your mouse, but I'm not afraid of you.
Have you ever considered that maybe some of us get tired of talking about trains all the time and might want to talk about other things ?.

trainluver1

Wow, Trainluver. Why are you so defensive??No disrespect to you, but "tired of talking about trains....". That's what this forum is about. At 42, after 25 years in the hobby, I don't see myself getting tired anytime soon. My closest friend, who got me in this hobby and was modeling long before I knew what an "F7" was, isn't tired either. At age 53, neither is my wife's cousin (ex Vietnam Vet) who started with Tyco and Bachmann sets in the 1970s.

QUOTE: By Trainluver--------Oh well. You're going to do what you like because the ball is in your hands, but if you delete this reply and end my membership, that'll tell me all I need to know about you.

Geez! What would that be? [%-)] I've communicated with Bergie before and he does not have the "Sledge Hammer" attitude that you seem to be inferring with the above quote. All he's doing (with our help) is maintaining this forum's high quality. [4:-)][tup] Believe it or not, we have the reputation as being one of the "Better" [:D][8D][;)] railroad subject forums.

There are forums on the web where Gestapo style modertors [:(!] delete any posts that disagree with his own views, or where members regularly "blow torch" each other. I visited one last year.......never again!

Most of us get off topic in our posts, but religion and politics are tempting hot potatoes. I'm guilty of getting political myself and now make an effort to read over my posts before hitting the "post it" button. The MTH topics have actually become more "civil". Not tooting my horn, but recently on a thread I suggested that we let "Ted E. Bear" make his posts and that we not flame him. What happened? He quickly lost interest and Bergie didn't even have to get involved! As for CTT, things do get hot on the CTT Forum occasionally. The thing to do is to send an e-mail right away to the Moderator. I think he is called "O gauge overlord."

[willy6]

Kudos Bergie, things not to discuss in life, religion, politics and the wife's checkbook.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by David Foster

Lotus 098...
Why shouldn't we talk about BNSF? [:D]

How do I get this "quote" thing to work???[banghead]

[^][;)][:D][:)]That would be the Great Pumpkin Heads. [:)][:D][;)][^]
Just click on the quote button at the top right hand corner of a post, and the post will be quoted with your text following.
James[C):-)]

[Anonymous]

They' both junk. Buy a Viper. : )

QUOTE: Originally posted by mustanggt

QUOTE: Simply put, most discussions about religion and politics typically lead to arguments between otherwise perfectly good friends

AMEN to that. I don't give a rat's butt about people's religion, political party, or any of that stuff. This is why I havn't posted in days. The only heated debate I ever want to get in here is Ford versus Chevy in the coffee shop, and even then I'm torn between the Mustang and the Camaro[:p]

[cefinkjr]

QUOTE: Originally posted by FundyNorthern

I wonder on religious/Chirstian sites, do they ever break out and talk about trains? [:D]

Well put, Bob. Come to think of it, I don't believe I've ever seen trains mentioned on any political web site either...except maybe to talk about AMTRAK subsidies, etc.

[:D]

Chuck

[espeefoamer]

Mustang all the way[8D]!

[mustanggt]

QUOTE: Simply put, most discussions about religion and politics typically lead to arguments between otherwise perfectly good friends

AMEN to that. I don't give a rat's butt about people's religion, political party, or any of that stuff. This is why I havn't posted in days. The only heated debate I ever want to get in here is Ford versus Chevy in the coffee shop, and even then I'm torn between the Mustang and the Camaro[:p]

[Anonymous]

It came up once in the Men's Forum, on a major board with about 15 active forums. I think it got about 6 or 8 responses, and then it just died.[(-D][:P]

[Anonymous]

I wonder on religious/Chirstian sites, do they ever break out and talk about trains? [:D]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by espeefoamer

The EMD vs GE debate causes enough flaming on these forums,we don't need posts on religion or politics.We can post our religious or political beliefs in our signature,as I have.We should leave it at that.

You mean that isn't a religious debate in itself, on the order of Ford vs. Chevy?[:-^][(-D]

Seriously, though, as one who just wanders through occasionally, I agree that a dedicated site like this has every right - or more accurately, a responsibility - to limit the debate.

As a believer, I have debated my faith on open forums, and I spend plenty of time on 2 dedicated Christian sites. But when I want information and/or discussion on trains, I go to train sites, and that's what I hope to find.

As anyone can see looking through this thread, there are plenty of discrete and respectful ways to share one's faith (yes, I love P. Carrell's signature too), without getting in people's faces.

Shalom,
James

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by TA462

I would add Paypal and Ebay complaints to the list of no no's also Bergie.

A whole lot of model railroaders use eBay and PayPal, and I personally think posts on them are relevant to our hobby, just as are ones re hobby shops. Such messages can warn readers about problems on eBay, scamming and bad sellers, great deals too!

Very relevant to hour participation in the hobby.

Bob Boudreau

[Anonymous]

Lotus 098...
Why shouldn't we talk about BNSF? [:D]

How do I get this "quote" thing to work???[banghead]

[JPowell]

QUOTE: Originally posted by egmurphy

QUOTE: trainfreak409: That why we have a place like the Coffee Shop, an entire off-topic thread. If you don't want to talk about trains, you don't have to. True general discussion is the name of the game there.

General discussion, with the exception that we don't talk about religion, politics or sex over there either.


Regards

Ed

I agree wholeheartedly, Ed!
JP

[dwRavenstar]

I'm in full agreement with the actions and well written explanations of same that have transpired in this matter.
Reading through the resulting responses and comments has given us all an insight into the mentallity and intentions of those involved with the discussion.
BTW I'm not afraid of Bergie either. If I were ever feeling fear in place of respect and consideration when visiting someone's home rest assured I'd find somewhere else to hang out.
Bergie, keep up the great work. It's appreciated by this guest. [bow]

Dave
(dwRavenstar)

[randyaj]

You"ll forgot about the controvery that comes with Great Northern being the greatest!!!!!!
[:P][:P][:P]
Randy Johnson

[IRONROOSTER]

I agree with Bergie. Stick to trains.
Enjoy
Paul

[loathar]

I keep trying to wipe this [sticky] thing off my screen. NO luck! Will somebody PLEASE make it go away.