Dichotomy Of Religion And Respect

Religion is always a touchy subject. And I don’t want to bring it up here, except than to ask you a small favor. You see, a debate is currently raging in my copywriters forum, and things are starting to disintegrate. It started as a great topic for discussion, but I need your help by answering a quick poll about what to do with it.

First, the background…

Harlan Kilstein, who’s not only a top copywriter I respect and a moderator on my forum, but also an ordained Jewish rabbi, posted a question about “apprentices” and “masters” in the copywriting field. And the thread started off without a hitch — people were giving their thought-provoking opnions on the subject.

It began as a very healthy discussion, dealing with issues from what criteria should we use to consider one as being a “master copywriter,” to what are the differences between “master” as a label (for the sake of marketing) and “master” as an actual qualification.

But then, someone introduced his religious (Christian) views in a thread that, though not ill-intended, insulted other copywriters of other religious persuasions, including Dr. Kilstein.

I understand the spirit of this man’s post and the message he was trying to convey. But personally, I don’t want to bring my spiritual or religious views into the forum — I did once, but with a lot of trepidation. Otherwise, I try to refrain from doing so out of respect for the majority of members on this copywriting forum.

I expect others to do the same.

That said, whether they are one’s beliefs or not, whether they mean well or not, and whether they are insulting to others religions or not, I do believe that religion (and other sensitive subjects, like politics) don’t belong in a professional copywriting forum.

So I want to do something. But I don’t want my actions to be perceived and intepreted as taking any sides and insult anyone’s belief system. (I don’t want to do the very thing I’m trying to avoid in the first place.)

I respect everyone. And in fact, that’s the whole point. Bringing up very delicate subjects will never please everyone. That’s fine, as debate is healthy and constructive. But when it displeases too many people, and insults (or has the potential to insult) too many people, it simply can’t be ignored.

So please help me, won’t you? The poll I offered is this:

Question: “What should I do with that thread?”

The answers from which to choose are:

Don’t touch it and keep it as it is.
Move the entire thread to the “off-topic” forum.
Move only the offending/questionable posts to the off-topic forum (thus creating its own thread).
Delete the offending/questionable posts only.
Delete the entire thread

Go and take a few moments to vote on the poll.

(Since the poll is intended to serve the forum’s community, you will need to register — if you’re new to the board — or login if you’re already a member, in order to vote. I appreciate your responses. You can also comment on this blog, below, if you wish.)

What do you think?

About the Author

Michel Fortin is a direct response copywriter, author, speaker, consultant, and CEO of The Success Doctor, Inc. Visit his blog and signup free to get tested conversion strategies and response-boosting tips by email, along with blog updates, news, and more! Go now to http://www.michelfortin.com.

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4 Replies to “Dichotomy Of Religion And Respect”

Comments

From Francis Macomber

Only a few hundreds of years ago, a woman could be considered lucky if 2 of her 8 sons survived. The plague, the famine, the wars made sure no-one was ever too bored.

Now all it takes to make someone suffer is to say something about your religion. Funny, ha?
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Author's Website February 27th, 2006
From Mike

I’ve had one, count ‘em…ONE…post that ended up with a negative comment.

I didn’t sleep much that night as I tried to find an angle to come back with.

There was no way for me to resond that wasn’t negative, so I deleted the post and the comment.

It took me about 2-3 days to fully get over it, but that’s nothing compared to the amount of time that it could have been drawn out. And it would have been there forever in my Archives.

the negative energy it produces isn’t worth the ethics of keeping a post.

Get rid of it. It’s just a post, just a forum thread, just a comment.

It ain’t all that and a bag of chips, for crying out loud. Just words, pixels, whatever.

The negativity will live until the words die.
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Author's Website February 27th, 2006
From BER

Sneaky way to add members to the forum!

Hey, look, I haven’t seen the thread but from your description of the events, I can see where the subject matter was pertinent.

Jesus was the “master” and the followers were “disciples”. They were trainees. But Paul and others grew in their training and were able to train others.

It’s a different profession but there is a parallel.

As we all know, it isn’t polite to discuss politics, sex or religion in public but to deny any of the above is to ignore the bulk of the human experience.

If, on the other hand, the poster was trying to convert someone or heal them of back pain (”my hands are on the monitor, put your back against the screen”) then they are out of line.

That’s my two cents and I’m not over-charging.

Oh, and by the way, if for those that don’t like to discuss Jesus and God and stuff, don’t die and go to Heaven. I understand thats all they talk about up there. :*)
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Author's Website February 27th, 2006
From Alice Seba

If there’s value to the thread, just lock it. I don’t think you gave that as an option. I wouldn’t propose to try to edit out what I felt was inappropriate for a discussion.

This makes me think of your blog entry, The Pen is Mightier than the Sword. It’s always interesting how different people see the meanings of the same words to be something completely different.

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Author's Website February 28th, 2006

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