This weekly roundup thread is intended for all culture war posts. 'Culture war' is vaguely defined, but it basically means controversial issues that fall along set tribal lines. Arguments over culture war issues generate a lot of heat and little light, and few deeply entrenched people ever change their minds. This thread is for voicing opinions and analyzing the state of the discussion while trying to optimize for light over heat.
Optimistically, we think that engaging with people you disagree with is worth your time, and so is being nice! Pessimistically, there are many dynamics that can lead discussions on Culture War topics to become unproductive. There's a human tendency to divide along tribal lines, praising your ingroup and vilifying your outgroup - and if you think you find it easy to criticize your ingroup, then it may be that your outgroup is not who you think it is. Extremists with opposing positions can feed off each other, highlighting each other's worst points to justify their own angry rhetoric, which becomes in turn a new example of bad behavior for the other side to highlight.
We would like to avoid these negative dynamics. Accordingly, we ask that you do not use this thread for waging the Culture War. Examples of waging the Culture War:
-
Shaming.
-
Attempting to 'build consensus' or enforce ideological conformity.
-
Making sweeping generalizations to vilify a group you dislike.
-
Recruiting for a cause.
-
Posting links that could be summarized as 'Boo outgroup!' Basically, if your content is 'Can you believe what Those People did this week?' then you should either refrain from posting, or do some very patient work to contextualize and/or steel-man the relevant viewpoint.
In general, you should argue to understand, not to win. This thread is not territory to be claimed by one group or another; indeed, the aim is to have many different viewpoints represented here. Thus, we also ask that you follow some guidelines:
-
Speak plainly. Avoid sarcasm and mockery. When disagreeing with someone, state your objections explicitly.
-
Be as precise and charitable as you can. Don't paraphrase unflatteringly.
-
Don't imply that someone said something they did not say, even if you think it follows from what they said.
-
Write like everyone is reading and you want them to be included in the discussion.
On an ad hoc basis, the mods will try to compile a list of the best posts/comments from the previous week, posted in Quality Contribution threads and archived at /r/TheThread. You may nominate a comment for this list by clicking on 'report' at the bottom of the post and typing 'Actually a quality contribution' as the report reason.
Jump in the discussion.
No email address required.
Notes -
If this were Judaism, Shinto, Hinduism, or any other religion that isn't explicitly trying to convert the entire world, I would agree. But for the big two globalist religions, Christianity and Islam, I reserve the right to comment on their internal affairs and air my grievances. These religions will affect me whether I like it or not, because their followers will be trying to convert me either with relentless badgering from Christians or actual violence from Muslims. I shouldn't have to waste my time becoming "informed" about catholic theology before having an opinion that the Pope should be more liberal and open-minded.
On the one hand, yeah, the Church puts forth its opinions and does affect the secular world. So it does affect non-Catholics. On the other hand, people who have no intention whatsoever of stepping foot inside a church but want Catholicism to change to fit with Current Secular Thing (last time was gay, probably now is trans, next time furries? poly? who can say?) may express an opinion as to how if only, if only, this little teeny thing was different they would totally rush down for baptism tomorrow - and I can disbelieve them.
I can complain about the US President of the day, because he has outsize power on what affects my nation, but I don't get to tell Americans "well if you all just scrapped the way you do elections and do it by my preferred system, then I'd be ever so happy. No, I don't have a vote in American elections and don't live in America, but I should still be able to tell you to change to suit me".
More options
Context Copy link
More options
Context Copy link