Want to debate Homosexuality, Religion or Race intelligently on ATS? Don't waste your time!

reply to post by kiwifoot

You are certianly speaking the truth! It is so frustrating to see, or to try to defend with sense and sensibilty, any of these subject. People are so stubborn, blindsided by issues, ect. Just makes me want to scream, or not come back to ATS.

reply to post by infinite

I strongly agree with infinite.

It's understood that many of those who visit ATS are unstable people whose grip on reality is not very strong. It seems obvious to me that, sooner or later, one of these nutzos is going to reference a discussion or thread on ATS as the reason why he bombed the abortion clinic, shot up a gay wedding ceremony or started posting letterbombs to Jews or Muslims.

Knowing the mental condition of the members they are likely to attract, it would be wise of the site owners to curtail expressions of xenophobia, homophobia, gynophobia, etc., on the site.

reply to post by Astyanax


Even though we criticise infowars.com, Alex Jones was even linked to religious zealots and extremists. It is not misguided to suggest the same could happen to us.

Of course, increased popularity attracts a few controversial characters but seriously, we have gained an increase in ugly views (which are not apart of the ATS fabric)

I've been here for nearly six years and I've never experienced so much bigotry, religious hatred and xenophobic attitudes. None of the topics are based among contemporary conspiracy theories, just outdated ideology - that were based on discrimination.

reply to post by kiwifoot


People need to stop judging other people and trying to force their own belief systems on others and just concentrate on how they are doing.

If one is happy with their own religious beliefs and sexual preference good, live and let live - as long as the person next to you isn't hurting anybody leave him/her be and myob.

Most humans are stubborn beyond belief and unwilling to REALLY LISTEN to someone who they disagree with.

I'm so tired of blogs where people say "___ is the only way". How can you reason with a person who has such a closed mind and proud heart?

You can't don't even try.

I have found that once someone has developed a "core belief" that they cling to that belief come hell or high water.

Fight for your opinions, but do not believe that they contain the whole truth or the only truth. Author: Charles Anderson Dana

Opinion has caused more trouble on this little earth than plagues or earthquakes. Author: Voltaire

Opinions have vested interests just as men have.
Author: Samuel Butler

A man is getting along on the road to wisdom when he begins to realize that his opinion is just an opinion. Author: Source Unknown

The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes. Author: Marcel Proust

The remarkable thing is that we really love our neighbor as ourselves: we do unto others as we do unto ourselves. We hate others when we hate ourselves. We are tolerant toward others when we tolerate ourselves. We forgive others when we forgive ourselves. We are prone to sacrifice others when we are ready to sacrifice ourselves. Author: Eric Hoffer

Human diversity makes tolerance more than a virtue; it makes it a requirement for survival. - Author: Rene Dubos

Most people have a very definite opinion on homosexuality and religion. These are what I call "core beliefs" and nothing can usually change them, this is more so the older we get. We get set in our ways and maybe that is why it is good the old die and newer younger minds that are more open and flexible come along.

Myself, I'm staying away from the two above mentioned threads - it's just not worth it.

So many people on ATS have a thinking mode much like mankind did in the dark ages when it comes to religion and homosexuality. No amount of reasoning is going to change someone's core belief and everyone is a know it all and believes their way is the only right way. Again, in my opinion people that come across as "my way is the only right way are small minded and pompous.

As a human you almost have to go through something, (walk a mile in someone else's shoes) before you can really empathize and learn.

If mankind is really going to move forward, he needs to become more open minded and less ridgid.

What is scary is we are all inner connected and those of us that just refuse to become more open minded and tolerant of different beliefs are holding the rest of humanity back.

We as a species are not going to progress forward holding onto medieval concepts.

So many people have been "programmed" into their beliefs and they don't even realize they've been manipulated into a certain way of thinking.

A closed mind and proud heart gathers no knowledge.


[edit on 20-7-2009 by ofhumandescent]

Originally posted by kiwifoot
In the last few weeks I've seen some of the most outrageous posts imaginable on ATS.

Guess what?

They were all either discussing Race, Homosexuality or Religion.


Are ATS'ers incapable of having an inelligent debate with regards to these subjects? Are we just too narrow minded to discuss these topics?
Are these subjects just so personal that it's impossible to be objective, balanced and rational?

Every single thread involving one of these topics just decends into a farce of tit for tat posts where the ATSers pick at comments and posts, ignoring the real issues involved.

What can we do about this guys?

How can we stay focused when these topics arise for debate?
[edit on 13-7-2009 by kiwifoot]

Homosexuality :

I have straight forward problem with that when it is suggested and shown as a natural part of life but fails to indicate that such a choice does not ensure the natural birth and continuation of the human species.
Religion:

A dangerous cocktail of opinion's, keep in mind entire wars and cvilization's have been eradicated from history.

Race:

With so much diversity in human beings that too is a dangerous cocktail of ideology. As i mentioned above, civilizations have been eradicated from history.

Race, Sexuality and Religion go the very core of who we are.
So of course they are going to be the hot topics full of very polarised viewpoints here on ATS.

Whether I believe in UFOs, BigFoot etc or not is really not of earthquaking importance in the big scheme of things as it doesn't say much about me personally just what my interests or hobbie horses are. They don't define me.

However, the race I was born into, my sexuality and what my spiritual beliefs are go to the very core of who I am and reflect my life experience.
And visa versa for you too.

If we really wanted to just get validation, we'd go to other sites that specialise in our particular beliefs. We wouldn't come to a conspiracy site like ATS.

I come here knowing that there will be polarised viewpoints and alternative opinions as there are people of different races, sexualities and religious beliefs or no religious beliefs at all.

But it's what makes ATS such an interesting place to visit.

reply to post by infinite


I do agree that most threads on the topic have been worthless on this site, but I think that the junk threads should be eliminated, not the whole topic. For instance, religious evangelicalism and debates do not add much here, but talking about conspiracies in religion is still important because religion can be used as a powerful control mechanism. History is littered with examples.

Those who use their time to "discuss" these topics are either trying to impose their will on others or are just doing it to be divisive. Of course, there is also a segment which is unwittingly doing either or both.

Bottom line: these issues are used to create friction...and that they do...

Originally posted by KSPigpen

I know I'm guilty of taking things way too personally. I chalk mine up to intense programming, compounded with the difficulty of expanding ones open-mindedness.

I was taught from a very young age that some things were just wrong. It wasn't right, but it's what happened. It a heck of a chore going back through all that garbage trying to throw away what doesn't apply anymore.

It's not coincidence that it's the more personal, more deeply ingrained beliefs and teachings that are the most difficult for me to accept someone else's view on.

It's a huge collection of personal journeys. Someone who is bull-headed is just as deserving of tolerance as someone endorsing an alternate lifestyle or religion. At least I hope so, because the bull-headed one is usually me.

If that's the case, and you know you tend to take it too far, wouldn't that suggest that maybe you should just refrain from commenting on those threads? I mean if you know you tend to get somewhat out of line, then maybe you should just grit your teeth and move on?

Just a suggestion, I don't like when people hang around just to bash a thread and the op. Not saying you do, but you admitted you take it personal. So just avoid It