[Nathan Streeter]

I firmly believe that CD should foster the kind of environment where people only need anonymous/burner accounts to discuss highly personal issues... not to discuss the hot topics of CD and our culture. I posted this back in the hugs & handshakes thread:

Originally Posted by Nathan Streeter

It seems like throwaway/burner accounts are becoming far too common now... I understand their use for posts seeking help in a (seemingly) toxic team situation, but other than that, I'd like for people to either 1) be willing to 'own' their opinion or situation, or 2) not post that, if it's really too controversial to attach to your name and team.

Part of enabling people to do 1 (to 'own' their opinion) is to not jump all over someone for posting differing views. Challenge or debate them, but keep the discussion respectful and full of GP. For me, Gracious Professionalism is FIRST's/Woodie's twist on Bible verses like:

You shall not hate your brother in your heart, but you shall reason frankly with your neighbor, lest you incur sin because of him. Leviticus 19:17

Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.... Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:17,18,21

So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets. Matthew 7:12

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Consider this me challenging this viewpoint to avoid perpetuating a narrow view. I agree and disagree... I'm guessing you're not surprised though, Chris. :-)

Originally Posted by Chris is me

Homophobic opinions aren't treated with such disdain because they are unpopular - the viewpoints expressed actively perpetuate the oppression of LGBT peoples. Freely expressing such viewpoints without anyone challenging them creates an environment that fosters, tolerates, and perpetuates such intolerance.

I'm all for people being able to share and post viewpoints... and for people being able to challenge them. My problem comes when "challenging viewpoints" ends up equating to a group of people demeaning and insulting a person. This happens a lot on the internet and in large groups of people. It happens to both sides on various hot topics of the day, depending largely on which side is the norm in that social context. This "group shaming" happens less on CD than other areas of the internet, but it still happens too much here.

Originally Posted by Chris is me

It's important to not think of these ideas as just "controversial" or "unpopular" opinions when they actively do harm to members of our community and to society in general. This is why such statements are taken so negatively by many. And I would hope people wouldn't view a bigot in the same light as a tolerant and accepting person!

What is interesting to me here, is that you're both rallying around being "tolerant and accepting," while in the same breath saying that certain ideas and views should not be tolerated. In some ways I agree... I believe that there is a difference between being controversial (an idea that is simply unpopular to the group) and being wrong (an idea that is objectively wrong)... but both groups of people should be treated the same way... with respect and graciousness. In my mind, a terse one-liner is most often demeaning and less often respectful and gracious.

I'd also like to underline and point out a couple other things "on the side." First, I don't like that it seems now that anyone who doesn't hop on the LGBT train with both feet and advocate for them on all issues seems to be tossed into the category of being a homophobic bigot. I disagree with a number of the issues that have been popular for LGBT people, BUT I don't think they're any less human. They're still real people that have real struggles and face real oppression from true bigots and bullies. Pretending that there are two categories (LGBT-Advocates and Homophobic Bigots) is really quite short-sighted.

Going a step further, I'd say that not only is categorizing anyone not firmly behind LGBT issues short-sighted, but it's also actually enforcing oppression of people with different moral views. It can make people with different moral views feel inhuman or stupid (perhaps because those specific or similar words are often used!). By your argument, it seems that it would also be right for individuals that label people as "homophobic" or "bigot" to be challenged for fostering, tolerating and pertuating intolerance.

My view? Everyone should be treated with the utmost respect and grace. This means really hearing other people, really considering their views, and really trying to stop bullies to keep everyone safe. It doesn't mean that no one will feel insulted... there are other opinions all over the world, and people need to learn how to deal with that. Trying to create an environment where no one needs to deal with anything that might be negative about them doesn't help. It's exactly the same as the "everybody's a winner" mentality not promoting individuals and teams to challenge themselves and improve capabilities.