Why not?

[awsam007]

I was reading One and Only's recent thread called "Anyone as mad as I am" (which was promptly locked by the way) and it got me thinking about the whole do not discuss thing. What is the real reason for having that "policy" anyway? I re-read the do not discuss thread and it mentions "keeping the peace". What peace? This is a message board, not the streets of Detroit. What is the point of a message board if you can't discuss things openly? I can see (and as a Christian support) banning foul language or sexual chatter or illegal activity, but how is just talking about an anime disturbing any peace? Aren't we being just a little overdramatic here? No one has ever been injured or had their inner-child damaged from reading something about animated entertainment, right? I guess it just strikes me as a little un-American, more like China really, that we are clamping down on opinions.For the record I would not watch most, if not all, of the titles on the do not discuss list, and futhermore I don't think anyone else should either, but I can't support banning someone's opinion or right to talk about something. It just feels creepy and a little Nazi-ish to me. I just want to know what or whom it would hurt to talk about an anime title? I mean will the message board suddenly explode or will the internet blow a fuse because someone has a differing opinion on something?

Oh well, it's been fun chatting with you all. I have a feeling this will be my last post since I'm sure they will give me the old after reading this *gasp* dissenting *gasp* opinion. (cue the Psycho horror music). Also feel free to lock this thread, unless you want an open discussion on why we have a "can't talk about" anime list.

[Mangafanatic]

Awsm, I'm afraid this thread is going to get shut down faster than you can say "free speech." And I support it being closed if that's the mod's decision. And here's why I say that.
Okay, We're not trying to squash anyone's opinions. If everyone on this board LOVED all those "banned" anime, then they wouldn't be banned. The purpose of a do not dicuss list is to avoid heated disagreements. I've gone into archives and read some evangelion threads. They are no fun. Everybody has an opinion on the topic and they either think you should watch or you shouldn't for fear of your immortal soul. Furthermore, nothing was accomplished by these dicussions, because pretty much everybody has already decided what they think of Evangelion (this is just an example) before they read or enter into discussion. They only thing discussion of such topics accomplished was hurting feelins. THAT is why we don't discuss, and it's by no stretch of the imagination anything compared to a communist regime.

[Ashley]

Well said, Mangafan. While yes, no one has been physically harmed by discussions on those series, that doesn't mean there isn't damage done by them. Say for example, we have a new evangelion thread. Everyone comes in there and states their opinions; soon it becomes it's the best show ever vs. you'll go to hell if you see it. Both sides are shocked and defensive towards the other, and a flaming war erupts. The admins step in, but it's too late: those feelings of animosity towards one another spill over to other threads, or people leave feeling like we're hypocrites as Christians or other emotional wounds like that. Those people leave and tell others what a horrible time they had here, and before you know it things dwindle down to almost a standstill. I know it sounds like I'm being irrational or pessimistic, but in my eyes and the staff's eyes, it's a very real possibility. Does that sound worth it to you? All over one controversial series?

As mangafan said, we're NOT here to squish your opinions. That's why this thread is open and I am answering your question publically and you won't recieve so much as a warning about this--I know of a lot of message boards where something like this would have been locked and you banned immediately--you just don't question the staff and they only step in when things get far uglier than they ever would here. And that's simply not the kind of message board I want to run. Yes I believe in free speech and opinions even if they "dissent" from my own, it's the way they are presented and the consequences of the situation that keep some of them from being prevented. Does that make sense? So no, we're not Nazi Pinko Commies here to tell you what to watch and what to say about what you see, we're only trying to keep the atmosphere on boards friendly and enjoyable. Besides, who wants to come to a boards where people are always bickering about one thing or another?

And as we say at the end of just about EVERY locked thread, we even have a conduit for those who want to keep on talking: PM's. Everyone has a box, and we don't monitor what is said in them, so the rules are different.

[Archan]

Hum,

Possible fruit for intellectual conversation

I'm kind of torn between sides. I would actual like a more open forum, not regarding just the anime but general issues and possibly intellectual debates and such about views on Evolution/Creation, Cloning, Biblical Archaeology, Witchcraft, etc. I've noticed things of this nature are almost automatically closed for their potential to spark any kind of disagreement. But the truth is it's actually healthy for a forum and a person to have a place to ask the really shady questions on the really shady subjects, because if a fellow sister or brother is in doubt, and can't turn to their fellow members here at the forum for answers to some very common questions, the confusion just remains and nothing is discussed, keeping the person from making a more informed choice on where they stand on the matter. (This of course doesn't include things like theology, because I know this is a denomination-free forum, and have nothing against it, in fact it's a great thing )

However on the other side, I can understand why security has been tightened so to say. The truth of the matter is not everyone is able to keep their emotions on check, and hold themselves in a professional standpoint regarding such subjects as the ones I mentioned and even anime. There are people out there whom are just dying to talk intellectually to other people and get their true blue standpoint on a subject, but there are other people whom just become too emotionally attached to certain subjects, and are just too sensitive. Also, the thing about typing and not being able to see a persons expressions when they reply usually results in the misreading of a persons emotion or demeanor through their response.

So in the all, though I partially share your fustration Awsam, I must still support the well rounded judgment of Ash and her staff. Besides, I'm praying for them and their praying for us so all that prayer has to result in some groovey moderation right? Of course.

God Bless,
Archan

[Yojimbo]

Since you guys covered the issue morally I'll just add this because this is a big misconception by alot of people. You do not have the right to free speech on any message board. When you signed up and checked the little box saying "I agree" you handed your rights over. These people pay for this site and they decide what can and cannot be said on it. They could delete every single thing they didn't like from someone on here if it so pleases them. Thanfully they don't.

[Archan]

Yojimbo:

Very true. However, if money and the whole "Well I'm paying for it so what I say on any matter goes just because" becomes the issue here at this forum (And I'm not saying it is or was anyone's intention, it's a hypothotical situation here that I'm commenting to) that 1: Sets a bad example for others trying to follow in the Forums footsteps 2: Will discourage ALOT of current and possible future members if the statement of "You don't have free speech, no rights, and the people who have the money can control your line of speech" is outright advertised and addressed as so, and 3: It paints the picture of this forum of being control hungry and soley for everything that was Ashley's original vision for her site (From what I can remember, it's been a while since we've had a heart to heart) therefore becoming an oxymoron.

However like I said, you are right. Hence I'll just restate:

I'm praying for them and their praying for us so all that prayer has to result in some groovey moderation right? Of course.

God Bless,
Archan

[Yojimbo]

Very true. However, if money and the whole "Well I'm paying for it so what I say on any matter goes just because" becomes the issue here at this forum (And I'm not saying it is or was anyone's intention, it's a hypothotical situation here that I'm commenting to) that 1: Sets a bad example for others trying to follow in the Forums footsteps 2: Will discourage ALOT of current and possible future members if the statement of "You don't have free speech, no rights, and the people who have the money can control your line of speech" is outright advertised and addressed as so, and 3: It paints the picture of this forum of being control hungry and soley for everything that was Ashley's original vision for her site (From what I can remember, it's been a while since we've had a heart to heart) therefore becoming an oxymoron.

However like I said, you are right. Hence I'll just restate:

I'm praying for them and their praying for us so all that prayer has to result in some groovey moderation right? Of course.

God Bless,
Archan[/align][/color]

I realize all that No forum wanting people to post on it is gonna say that if they want members on it. I'm just saying that the admins have the right to choose what we can't talk about like the animes on the list.

[Ashley]

What Archan said about people not keeping their emotions in check definately rings true. I personally am not against a decent debate, but the problem is it is far too easy to let it go too far, and my staff and I don't feel the need/strength to deal with keeping those debates in moderation right now. Plus, if you're sitting with someone at a debate table, both of you have mutual respect for the other's point of view and will most likely present yours accordingly: factually and persuasively, but not insultingly. However, that kind of atmosphere is extremely hard to come by online--far too often it's my way or the highway, I'm right you're wrong and furthermore I'll see you in hell kind of attitude, without any sort of respect for the other person's attitudes. I'm not saying everyone here would do that, I'm saying it's far too easy to slip into that atmosphere. As much as we'd like it, online life is very different from real. And that, coupled with what I have already said, is the main reason for the no-debate policy.

[Technomancer]

aswam, I don't think that the admins are tying to clamp down or suppress opposing views so much as they are trying to 'keep the peace' as it were. Obviously, there is a diversity of opinions on quite a number of subjects including anime and unfortunately some of those issues are hot button topics, ie. people here have strong feelings on the matter and that may lead to the hurling of insults etc, and general acrimony. Since the mods want this place to calmer, more collegial place than other message boards they take a dim view. That's OK, it's their board after all and their perogative.

In the past they have been somewhat tolerant of certain controversial issues so long as they stayed civil. Unfortunately, not everyone can discuss those issues in such a manner, especially when other views are so contrasting. I should say that I expect my own views are considerably different from that of most people who are here, and I have never been pressured to "toe the line" by anyone, least of all the mods.

[uc pseudonym]

The initial question has already been answered (though we cannot know if it has been so to awsam007's satisfaction); hence, I will make only a minor point.

I would actual like a more open forum, not regarding just the anime but general issues and possibly intellectual debates and such about views on Evolution/Creation, Cloning, Biblical Archaeology, Witchcraft, etc.

...

(This of course doesn't include things like theology, because I know this is a denomination-free forum, and have nothing against it, in fact it's a great thing )

Keep in mind, however, that the issues you mentioned all do relate to theological perspectives that will heavily tie into denominational issues. That is the trouble with such a policy. I know that on issues academically unrelated to denominational issues are for me quite key, and I have kept my peace regarding them.

[Archan]

*Stares forzen at the screen*

Oh no! I just realized something. On my last post to Yojimbo, I originally typed this:

3: It paints the picture of this forum of being control hungry and soley for everything that was Ashley's original vision for her site ....therefore becoming an oxymoron.

*Hits self*

What I meant to type was that it would be AGAINST everything that was originally Ash's vision for her site.....GAH!

I'm so so so so so sorry Ash, *hits self again* I hope it was overlooked, it was a really dumb mistake on my behalf...... Sorry sorry sorry

God bless,
Archan

P.S. I hope I can make this up to you Ash......

[Ashley]

No worries Archan, I didn't take it that way, and I highly doubt anyone else did. I think it was one of those cases where we got what you meant to say even if you didn't say it right. *pats head* you can calm down now.

[Archan]

Thanks Ash.....I was begining to see double for a moment there....@@ Your too kind, and for that I'm thankful.

Hey, and this is totally off subject, when ya gonna mail me? It's been too long....

God bless,
Archan

[Ashley]

Laughs..when I get a chance to breathe. I'm about at crazy go nuts level busy over here.

[Kawaiikneko]

I'll just add my two cents...

If we can't discuss the titles, can someone at least post a non-biased review for each of the "do not discuss" animes showing why we shouldn't discuss them. For instance, I knew nothing about NGE Since then I have watched the series, but I can't say I absolutely loved or hated it (I did love the theme song though! *hums*). However there was very questionable content for someone my age and if I had known about it I probably would have never watched the series or at least waited until I was older.

For people who have never seen the "Do not discuss" titles and have no idea why they are non-discussable it would be good to tell them here instead of having them go out to a worldly website that condones it to find the answers. (I hope that made sense ><)

[Ashley]

To the best of our abilities, we try to do just that. That's why we have the reviews section. Although they will not be "unbiased"---you can find those sorts of reviews anywhere online. Our reviews are written in a Christian perspective, which means they are factual about content, but aren't going to gloss over things just because its "art" or "it's anime".