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

[krump]

I agree with my brother Bergie. Back to Training...cuz that's what we do

[tcf511]

Thanks Bergie for clarifying your position with which I agree. There are thousands of forums out there on all subjects. The name of the game on this one is model railroading. I would prefer to keep it that way.

[jxtrrx]

Bergie is right. And please notice that there is not a lot of disagreement with him... only one or two folks with repeated posts.

[Train 284]

AMEN BROTHER!!!!!!! [bow][bow][bow][bow][bow][bow]

[Anonymous]

This is a model railroading forum. More than that, this is "Model Railroader's"/Kalmbach's model railroading forum. It's their home, and when you visit someone else's home, you abide by their rules. That's nothing more than civil, responsible, and expected behavior.

I don't care one bit about the political, religious, sexual or other social, moral, or economic preferences of anyone else here, and I don't expect anyone else to care about my view on such topics. If I was the least bit interested in discussing any of those topics (and I most assuredly am not), then a hobby forum would be the last place I would visit to do so. There are literally hundreds--perhaps even thousands--of other forums on the Internet that deal with those subjects, and more.

I come here to learn from the experience, expertise, and talents of those who enjoy this hobby--nothing more and nothing less. And, from time to time, I hopefully am able to share some of my own experience with others who will some benefit from what I have to offer.

It's great to see that the moderators here maintain control over off-topic or inflammatory dialog. That's the way it should be.

[fec153]

I agree with Brother Krump.
Bergie has the throttle [PUN INTENDED]. Full steam ahead.
Flip

[Anonymous]

I work nights on track taking lines for Engineers Possessions. On four track we can have the slow lines closed and the fast lines open to traffic. Let me assure all of you that a Pendolino doing 125mph doesn't ask what your religion, politics or sexual orientation are...it just gives you a very swift, permanent enema. On track we have to have our wits about us... in life I would suggest that consideration, politeness and tolerance would save all of us a lot of grief.

If you are not familiar with the word "tolerance" look up Bishop Burnet of Salisbury c 1700... see the "Conclusion" to his "A History of My Own time". He lived a lot closer to the times when they burnt people alive for being the "wrong kind of Christian"...anyone else they just chopped up.

I didn't put it in my profile, but I had a life changing experience due to the Vietnam War... when I was building my first bike I was throwing a tantrum because I couldn't find a part or a tool... the news came on, on Radio Luxembourg (the only decent radio you could get here then)...some South Vietnamese village had just been obliterated with napalm in a "friendly fire" incident... I stopped dead and asked myself what my problem was? I wasn't a Believer of any sort then... but it changed my whole life.
When we are full of food, secure and comfortable we have time and energy to get into meaningless fights to establi***o which nth degree we are more correct than the other guy.

As a Believer -- no, just as a human being -- I have to ask myself "Does making someone else look stupid show how much my God loves him... or me"?

[grayfox1119]

You are right on the money Bergie, I totally agree with you, this forum is about model railroads and trains...END OF STORY FOLKS!!!

[rtstasiak]

Let me help by injecting a little humor.

"There is great exaggeration about the degree to which gentle-men discuss politics and religion in the barbershop. Would you want to arouse partisan or sectarian anger around so many sharp and pointed things found in such an establishment? Actually, I would probably defer to the barber's point of view, most assuredly so during a close shave."

-Anonymous

[Anonymous]

It has all been said here, except for the subtlety in P. Carrell's signature that I have marvelled at since I first noted it. The respect we have for one another should be obvious in the way we treat one another with or without "words".
Will

[ereimer]

well done !

i missed the threads in question so i can't offer any comments on them , but really don't we have enough to fight about .... like which is better , steam or diesel ?

[:D]

[Anonymous]

In the word of that great philosopher Linus Van Pelt "Three things I never discuss with people: politics, religion, and the great pumpkin."
James[C):-)]

[Roadtrp]

Keeping topics on trains sounds good to me. There are enough battles here over MTH and the Union Pacific. Who needs more??

[:D]

People also need to remember that unlike most forums, this forum is hosted by a business (Kalmbach Publishing). It would make no sense for them to risk offending current or potential customers by allowing controversial topics.

[loathar]

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

[IRONROOSTER]

I agree with Bergie. Stick to trains.
Enjoy
Paul

[randyaj]

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

[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)

[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

[Anonymous]

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

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

[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]

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]

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

[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]

[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]

[espeefoamer]

Mustang all the way[8D]!

[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

[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]

[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):-)]

[willy6]

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

[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."