I am writing this blog to release out my opinion on some Progressiveu bloggers.
First I would like to start of by saying, would people please stop making these extremely long blogs, its like I am reading a novel online. Besides that half way through the blog it just becomes a bunch of bull****.
I use to think that progressivu was this great site, but now I have come to realize that there are a lot of close-minded people on here, who only say that they are open minded; Especially the ones who do not believe in God. I am constantly reading blogs about how people are so dumb to believe in God, and that you should not. I think that the nonbelievers pressure us to not believe in God more then we pressure them to believe.
The second thing that I am sick of about progressiveu you is the bloggers (not all of them), the ones who think that they know everything, and by using big words that qualifies them as being smart. When in reality they probably have a thesaurus right next to them.
And last how come there are so many progressivu staff members is that just a things that is buy your name are are you actually paid for it.
What makes me sick about Progressiveu
By o.thagrl - Posted on July 5th, 2008
First I would like to start of by saying, would people please stop making these extremely long blogs, its like I am reading a novel online. Besides that half way through the blog it just becomes a bunch of bull****.
Well, half way through the blog you could just... stop reading. I've seen some incredibly good blogs on here that are pretty lengthy (mine included). As long as they maintain interest and have spaces in between paragraphs so I'm not looking at a huge block of text, I don't mind them. I do, in fact, prefer them to those blogs that are just barely meeting the 200 word requirement and are full of poor grammar, bad spelling, and the laziness that comes with using "ur" and "y" instead of "you're/your" and "why."
The second thing that I am sick of about progressiveu you is the bloggers (not all of them), the ones who think that they know everything, and by using big words that qualifies them as being smart. When in reality they probably have a thesaurus right next to them.
Smart people use thesauruses too. I use them. It keeps me from using the same words repeatedly. I'm smart and I know it, and I'm not too modest to let others know. I have an incredibly large vocabulary that probably comes from a lifetime of reading books of substance for fun, and Honors English classes in Junior High.
I'm not sure what you mean by "big words" but, like I said, my vocabulary is extensive. I use a lot of words in daily conversation that, unfortunately, many people are unfamiliar with. I'm not going to stop just because others are content with 2 syllable words and are too close-minded to enhance their own knowledge of the English language.
And last how come there are so many progressivu staff members is that just a things that is buy your name are are you actually paid for it.
I'm not a staff member, but I am a member of the ProU Alumni Association. That's why I have a badge next to my name. I paid for it with commitment.
I think maybe a lot of the people you see have badges like mine. It probably seems like there are so many of us because, well, we're committed and we're still around even though the scholarship contest is over. Many people who were here only to try to win money have retreated back into the darkness of their Myspace Blogs.
Read my Blogs!
This is Why I'm Hot
And My Other Blogs
You pretty much said everything I was going to say --
The only time I ever use a Thesaurus is when I can't think of the word I'm trying to think of and it's bothering me. Anything I ever write is just in my natural voice. If I use words like "consumerism" or a phrase like "statistically and biologically predictable," it's not because I'm trying to sound smart. It's because using words like that is easier than trying to find dumber words that mean somewhat the same thing, in some attempt to appeal to more people.
I don't care about who wants to read my blogs or who can understand them. If you aren't knowledgeable enough about the world to understand "big words" or don't have the patience to look them up when you don't understand something (this is called learning), then I don't want you reading my articles anyway.
I use the thesaurus when the word I want to use just doesn't quite fit the writing style and I know a better synonym exists. Also, when the word I want is on the tip of my tongue and I can't think of it.
I read somewhere that all public announcements and things are usually written at, I believe, a 4th grade reading level because that is the level the majority of the United States is at. It makes me sick. And I have noticed that the peer-reviewed journals and news sources that use the "big words" cost a significant amount more money than, oh, Cosmo and Newsweek.
So I am grateful to you, me, and everyone else who doesn't dumb down their writing so others can understand it. Especially on ProU, where it's free to read. I have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and I'm continuing my education in September. I'm not going to play stupid to appeal to the majority. I (usually) write for, and prefer to be a part of, an intelligent audience.
Read my Blogs!
This is Why I'm Hot
And My Other Blogs
I would never advise you to try to use dumber words to appeal to more people. It’s just that I am very humble and feel as through a lot of the times the people on here use big words just to sound smart, whereas I know I am smart and don't have to do that.
And you shouldn't care about who wants to read your blog. Usually if I do come across a word that I do not know then I will look it up.
I very much encourage you all to be concerned about who wants to read your blog. That's sort of the point, isn't it?
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/ediblewoman
I understand. What happens if we want to add to our blog and no one replied yet. That part is my beef.
Published Author and Poet
Teacher Education Student.
You click the 'edit' tab at the top of your blog. That'll allow you to edit it, and anyone who has read it already will get a nice, shiny and very red 'updated' on their tracking page (if they use it).
~C
Check out the latest entry in the Between The Lines column!
Want the highest rated list to change? RATE those blogs, then!
And last how come there are so many progressivu staff members is that just a things that is buy your name are are you actually paid for it.
There aren't many staff members. Most of the badges you see are for the Alumni Association as sawaboof said. There are currently only around 6 active staff members and no, we don't get paid for moderating or any of the behind the scenes things we do (which is the majority of what we do). I'd personally rather see the money going to the scholarship than to us. I wasn't aware, however, that what one did was only useful if one got paid. That seems kind of silly.
You don't have to stay if you no longer enjoy being here and have come to loathe your fellow bloggers. We're sorry to see you go because you don't agree with some people since ProgressiveU is, in large part, about the ability to disagree and work towards solutions... but we certainly aren't going to force you to remain if you're that dissatisfied with the website.
-----
Like writing? So do we!
~Fallon~
"If I fall asleep with a pen in my hand, don't remove it - I might be writing in my dreams."- Pace
-----
What a minute, I never said that I was leaving Progressiveu, I too first came here for the scholarship, and stayed because I did and do really enjoy it. This blog was just meant for me to tell how I felt about some of the negative things about Progressiveu bloggers. That does not mean that I do not think there is anything good about being here. I prefer to be here then any other blog sites because I feel as through I am talking to real people that actually have an interest in matters I find important.
I never said that being a staff member was not useful, I was just implying that it seems to be a lot of them, and wondering if they did get paid.
Liv Life Your Way
I didn't say that you said you were leaving, only that if you have such an issue with the other bloggers here on ProgressiveU that you find it necessary to write an entire blog to complain about them, perhaps ProgressiveU isn't where you really want to be. We're supposed to be working towards progress; it seems counterproductive to that mission to simply complain about the others that are here without suggesting solutions to what you perceive to be a problem.
-----
Like writing? So do we!
~Fallon~
"If I fall asleep with a pen in my hand, don't remove it - I might be writing in my dreams."- Pace
-----
I will judge on where I want to be and not.
"We're supposed to be working towards progress; it seems counterproductive to that mission to simply complain about the others that are here without suggesting solutions to what you perceive to be a problem"
My blog was progressive, (besides for the part about the staff members); it was letting other bloggers know my concern about them. I'm sure that I am not the only one who has issues with some of the bloggers, just the only one willing to say it. Still that does not mean that I am going to leave just because I am not 100% satisfied.
I was never complaining about the comments people left, just the rude ones. I even said thank you to one for correcting my concern about the amount of staff members.
To my surprise most of the comments were not rude, I expected everyone to be attacking me more harshly.
Liv Life Your Way
My blog was progressive, (besides for the part about the staff members); it was letting other bloggers know my concern about them.
Fallon established that you did, indeed, "let other bloggers know [your] concern for them." What she also said, and what made your post non-progressive, was that you offered no solutions to the problems you see.
When you bring up issues you're seeing with other bloggers without offering solutions, then, really, all you're doing is complaining. I'm sure I'm not the only one who doesn't view a blog consisting entirely of complaints as progressive.
Your blog does not strike me as being full of concern for the writing styles of others. It seems that you're just venting about things that annoy you. While venting can be progressive, in this case, it doesn't appear that way.
If there are specific bloggers you take issue with, you can send them a private message or respond to their blogs. Lumping them into one blog just to complain about their writing is passive aggressive, and doesn't really accomplish anything.
Read my Blogs!
This is Why I'm Hot
And My Other Blogs
Not to be contrary, but this post was not progressive. Our Editorial Policy says ProgressiveU provides young people with the opportunity to discover, analyze and discuss the values and democratic principles that promote a healthy and just society. This includes, but is not limited to, open discussion of current events, progressive values, and public policy priorities....
Contributions to ProgressiveU should encourage others to think, to speak up, and to reach out to others, while focusing on relevant progressive principals such as effective government, social justice, personal freedom, and broad prosperity. Articles should allow members to analyze the root causes of the problems or conflicts associated with those relevant principals and stimulate discussion of solutions. In addition, contributions must be interesting and original. They should encourage debate, have social or political value, and be sincere.
Griping about what you perceive to be a problem without offering solutions to that problem isn't particularly progressive, nor does it particularly fit the mission or guidelines for posting on ProgressiveU. Does that mean we're going to delete it? No. I was merely pointing out that the post wasn't particularly progressive and would have been received better had you, instead of merely listing your gripes about the community, offered solutions to those you were griping about. What should they do differently to fix the problem you perceive?
I didn't say you had to leave either. Just that if you were dissatisfied with so much here, as your blog indicated, that perhaps it was a consideration. You don't have to leave... we never asked you too and hope that you don't. We do hope, however, that instead of merely listing what you see as wrong with the community, you'll take steps next time to encourage people to do better by offering solutions and the chance to discussion what should be done. This blog didn't offer that and that's always disappointing to see.
-----
Like writing? So do we!
~Fallon~
"If I fall asleep with a pen in my hand, don't remove it - I might be writing in my dreams."- Pace
-----
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha....
Ok, now that I'm finished laughing... We barely have enough staff members to get done everything we need to. We have one person to do the tech support stuff, one person to do most of the outbound stuff (things like marketing and trying to get more money so that we can actually continue the scholarship), one person to keep most of the features on the site up-to-date, and a couple people who pop in every so often to help when we flag things or to help us organize things. Each of the first three probably spend 10-20 hours a week here doing stuff, and we get nothing but a pat on the back at the end of the day. Not that I mind... I enjoy doing what I do here.
Now, the people with the badge like the one sawaboof has now are for people who we think did a pretty good job at sticking through a contest. And it's especially difficult to do during the Spring contest, because most schools end a month or more before the end of the contest and people go on vacation and whatnot. We only invite 20-30 people to this organization at the end of each contest, and about half of them accept the invitation to join. We've done that for... at least 3 contests now, since I was first invited to the organization, and we've increased the numbers by about 50 since that time.
~C
Check out the latest entry in the Between The Lines column!
Want the highest rated list to change? RATE those blogs, then!
Well I am glad that you cleared up my concern about what I thought to be a lot of staff member.
By the way it is rude to laugh at people.
Liv Life Your Way
Oh, don't misunderstand. I wasn't laughing at you. I was laughing, rather torturedly (is that even a word? Who cares... I don't feel like finding another), at the idea that there were so many staff members. We are so understaffed, it's rather pathetic. And kinda painful... I feel so bad when I go on vacations, because I know there aren't that many to take up the slack while I'm gone.
~C
Check out the latest entry in the Between The Lines column!
Want the highest rated list to change? RATE those blogs, then!
I just posted a blog about religion (My God comes in a wrapper of cellophane), but it's more about hypocrisy than "stop believing in God." It's a call to wake up and realize your insincerity.
I agree, assuming people actually post things like "it's dumb to believe in God." If there's some post about some logical argument or something that's relevant in the Theism/Atheism debate, then okay, but I agree that there are plenty of people who spout off and don't really know anything.
But close-mindedness isn't a right/left thing. It's not a Christian/Atheist thing. It's not a smart/dumb thing. In every category ever conceived, you will find both close-minded people and open-minded people.
If you need a thesarus while sitting on the computer you've got a couple of problems; you could always just google the word.
-acertainsaint-
Nah, I just go to thesaurus.com. Google is pretty good for typing in "define:word" though. :-)
Read my Blogs!
This is Why I'm Hot
And My Other Blogs
Or ask Fanaile what the word is. She's pretty good at taking my hacked up spelling and definitions and spitting out the word I need. Even better than Google... which gives me the words I wasn't looking for.
:D
-----
Like writing? So do we!
~Fallon~
"If I fall asleep with a pen in my hand, don't remove it - I might be writing in my dreams."- Pace
-----
Too bad you are so discontent. I don't know which users blogs you are reading but I have a feeling you are eithe judging based on those scholarship-only bloggers who are here for a couple months and then disappear to never be seen again.
For those real progressiveu-ers who are truly dedicated to the site nothing you said is accurate. We do not use big words just to sound smart, we are here because we want intelligent discussion and debate on current political and societal issues (sorry for the use of big words). I wish you were not so discontent, but I would venture that your judgment of the site reveals more about you and the state of your mind rather than that of those around you.
Here is a trashcan, please keep your sickness there and take it with you (on the house) on your way out the door if this is how you feel.
*DISCLAIMER* No thesaurus was used in the making of this comment. All words come from the English language of the American style based on the vocabulary of an undergraduate. Should the level of vocabulary be above your understanding the user recommends the Webster dictionary, preferably the latest volume. All close-mindedness is unintentional and most likely non-existent except to the closed mind of the reader. Please take a step back from the blog should the length be unsatisfactory and be too difficult to read in one sitting. The user invites you to call a publisher should you believe this is a novel that should only be read if it is bound in leather. On the subject of belief the user invites you to believe what you wish and ignore all opinions occurring outside of the reader's selected dogma. The user denies any responsibility of injuries to the mind that may occur to those unable to comprehend that which has been said in the above statements.
That was the best disclaimer in the history of disclaimers.
But...I'm unfamiliar with the definition of "thesaurus". *tries to look it up in the thesaurus*
Hey, if somebody is entrepreneurial enough to have a dictionary or thesaurus next to them for handy usage next to the computer, so be it. In fact, I used to always have one next to me at the computer, but that was usually for writing--not reading--purposes.
Wait, were "entrepreneurial" and "usage" real words? Crap, now I'll have to look them up.
~ *~
This is a signature, an automated thingy that pops up when I comment, not a demand to see my blog!
Mind Control is Easier Than You Think
You shoud look up "entrepreneurail" and "usage", That was very ironic that you just happend to use those two words in your comment. I am sure it was just so you can make a joke about it afterwards.
The humor that everyone has on here very amusing
Liv Life Your Way
Yes yes, it was simply some stupid humor on my part, and I did do that on purpose. "Entrepreneur" is a word, however in the way I used it is incorrect. "Usage" I wouldn't consider a word, but who knows? It could've been commonly used in the 1800s.
I'd have to say that life without some humor would be very sad indeed. I'm sorry that you think most of this humor is mean spirited, but maybe these people were just going off of the vibe from your blog. You didn't seem too nice when you were condemning people in that blog, but really this isn't an original thing because during every contest (and afterwards in this case) there are people who have a problem with others on the site. But really, how different is that from school or work or another online community? There will always be people who don't like each other--whether the reasons are valid or not.
~ *~
This is a signature, an automated thingy that pops up when I comment, not a demand to see my blog!
Mind Control is Easier Than You Think
"Usage" I wouldn't consider a word, but who knows? It could've been commonly used in the 1800s.
The term dates to the later 13th Century...
usage
1297, "established practice, custom," from Anglo-Fr. and O.Fr. usage "custom, habit, experience," from us, from L. usus "use, custom" (see use).
TTFN,
Blackout
-------------------------
Yes, I've changed my username from "percivale" to "Blackout." Go here if you want to know why.
Aha!
Why thank you Blackout/Percivale for that dictionary lookup. I was on a computer that wasn't good at multitasking at the time and for the life of me I just can't find that poor beaten-up dictionary...
Imagine. I'm using terms that are older than George Washington and Regis Philbin put together. I must be more intelligent than I thought... or it was luck. Yeah let's go with luck on this one.
~ *~
This is a signature, an automated thingy that pops up when I comment, not a demand to see my blog!
Mind Control is Easier Than You Think
I still hear that word in a modern context some. Grammar Usage, Computer Usage, etc. So your usage of the word wasn't too terribly old fogeyish
:D
-----
Like writing? So do we!
~Fallon~
"If I fall asleep with a pen in my hand, don't remove it - I might be writing in my dreams."- Pace
-----
Yes, but you're use of the word "fogeyish" was.
:))
LOVE YOU!
----
Procrastination isn't the problem, it's the solution. So procrastinate now, don't put it off. [Ellen Degeneres]
I'm on a mission to add ish to as many words as I can to discover which is the best. Assish is coming in first... though old fogeyish is fun to say
:D
-----
Like writing? So do we!
~Fallon~
"If I fall asleep with a pen in my hand, don't remove it - I might be writing in my dreams."- Pace
-----
rofl I love you Fallon. Now I need a reason to use "assish" and "old fogeyish" in conversation.... (and the first one may be a challenge since I don't generally swear out loud)
"Excellence is the result of caring more than others think is wise, risking more than others think is safe, dreaming more than others think is practical, and expecting more than others think is possible."
Ahh! But if you tell someone they are acting assish, you aren't exactly cursing, nor are you exactly calling them an ass. It's like, the perfect word designed spefically so one could stretch the rules without bending them!!
Effin' genuis that.
-----
Like writing? So do we!
~Fallon~
"If I fall asleep with a pen in my hand, don't remove it - I might be writing in my dreams."- Pace
-----
I guess that does not work as well as I hoped, I can only hope to become more Fallonish in the futrue .
~T
A nation of well informed men who have been taught to know and prize the rights which God has given them cannot be enslaved. It is in the region of ignorance that tyranny begins. ~Benjamin Franklin
rofl
We've already established that Fallonize (say something undiplomatic in a diplomatic manner) is a word, so we might as well add Fallonish to the pile. Though, the thought of anyone else being Fallonish is truly scary. How many idiots can one village have?!
:))
-----
Like writing? So do we!
~Fallon~
"If I fall asleep with a pen in my hand, don't remove it - I might be writing in my dreams."- Pace
-----
rofl
Well, at least if other people start acting Fallonish we'll have diplomatic idiots, instead of hot headed idiots we have to moderate.
8-}
"Life is too short to make just one decision
Music's too large for just one station
Love is too big for just one nation and
God is too big for just one religion"
-Michael Franti and Spearhead "East to the West"
That was a very thought out blog, especially the DISCLAIMER part.
Demeaning and sarcastic comments like yours is another reason why I dislike some Progressiveu bloggers.
Liv Life Your Way
Some people are sarcastic. Others, such as myself, don't like to use sarcasm. If you don't like reading sarcastic comments, then avoid bloggers who you know are sarcastic.
"Don't blame me. I voted for Kodos."
Homer Simpson
I call bullshit. Do I win a prize? :phbt:
-acertainsaint-
yeah, just give me your credit card information.
"Don't blame me. I voted for Kodos."
Homer Simpson
2532 2353 2345 2352
Exp. 02/00 V-code: 324
It's a visa.
-acertainsaint-
That's a joke for anyone who'd actually want to attempt that card number....
-acertainsaint-
Damn. X-([
"Don't blame me. I voted for Kodos."
Homer Simpson
rofl I love the disclaimer!
"Excellence is the result of caring more than others think is wise, risking more than others think is safe, dreaming more than others think is practical, and expecting more than others think is possible."
I am sure you do. I hoped it made you laugh enough for today. You were a good little Progressiveu staff member, for sticking up for them.
Liv Life Your Way
As a staff member I don't stick up for anybody, I maintain the site and enforce the rules as objectively as I can. If I can't be objective when acting as a moderator, I find someone who can.
As a user I've been around long enough to see humor used as a positive way of expressing ones self, and I genuinely appreciate the entertainment value of sarcasm. Everyone has pet peeves and their own ideas about what is and isn't acceptable for a blog, and most people would go crazy if they tried to please everyone. Writing disclaimers (whether they're serious or humorous) is one way some people acknowledge the fact that their blog won't please everyone, while still being true to themselves.
Regardless of how you might feel about my comment, your comment was rather juvenile and unnecessary.
On a side note, I find it ironic that your signature say "Liv Life Your Way" and yet you seem to think everyone should present themselves the way you want them to be on ProU.
"Excellence is the result of caring more than others think is wise, risking more than others think is safe, dreaming more than others think is practical, and expecting more than others think is possible."
I am sorry if you found my comment juvenile, maybe it was a little unnecessary. But I do not take to kindly to people laughing at me.
My signature is "Liv Life Your Way", because that is exactly what I do. I do not follow behind other to fit in and stand up for my beliefs and myself regardless if I have no one backing me up. So therefore it is not ironic.
"and yet you seem to think everyone should present themselves the way you want them to be on ProU."
On the contrary I do not want everyone to present himself or herself like I do, that would be boring if we were all alike. Again in an attempt to defend my reasoning of writing this blog, it was to release how I feel about some of the negative thing about some Progressiveu bloggers, not to persuade people to be more like me. The only person I need to be me is me.
Liv Life Your Way
She was laughing at a very funny response to your post, made by Tomorrow Today.
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/ediblewoman
Thank you for seeing the disclaimer for what is was and not judging it for something is was not meant to be. I believe humor is always fun to add to any situation. I wish everyone was able to see humor at face value rather than live life bland without a chuckle. There is nothing too serious not to have a humorous side.
FYI: It was not demeaning, it was a humorous spin on the content of the original post as well as comments made by other bloggers. Humor and jokes are often found in daily mundane situations and I like to find the nuggets and use them to make people laugh. Sucks not everyone was able to see it that way.
Humor is great and I personally love to laugh, but not at the expense of others. And in this case it was at my expense and I did not find it very funny.
Liv Life Your Way
May I be a jerk and try to retort some of these things?
First I would like to start of by saying, would people please stop making these extremely long blogs, its like I am reading a novel online. Besides that half way through the blog it just becomes a bunch of bull****.
Then stop reading. Nobody is forcing you to read these posts, and if you don't like it or it's not interesting, that's the writer's problem, not yours. Just move on and find something more interesting to you.
And last how come there are so many progressivu staff members is that just a things that is buy your name are are you actually paid for it.
Wait...what? I'm confused here. What are you saying? You have a problem with there being many staff members, or are you trying to say these people have "bought their way into the job"? If so, both are not the case. You may be just seeing so many staffers because they are frequest posters on the site. Heck, how do you think they got promoted in the first place? And I highly, highly doubt they had to pay for the honor.
And just for giggles, I'll add that the tag you see by my name, which many others also carry, is just for the Alumni Association. Just promoted bloggers--not staff members of any sort.
The second thing that I am sick of about progressiveu you is the bloggers (not all of them), the ones who think that they know everything, and by using big words that qualifies them as being smart. When in reality they probably have a thesaurus right next to them.
Once again, my retort is "don't read them". If you disapprove of these "big words" then stop reading. No one will shoot you for doing so.
And also, just because a person sounds educated or has a different style of writing does not mean they're showing off or trying to look smart.
You speak of being annoyed at closed-mindedness, yet you seem to be dangerously close to that label yourself. I am by no means personally attacking you or trying to make you feel terrible about yourself, but I figured a comment (another) was needed to share my two cents.
ProgressiveU can be a great site--if you let it be. There are good points, and there are bugs and disgruntled bloggers. If this is a major problem, I suggest trying Blogdrive, Livejournal, or MySpace, though you may find many of the same problems.
~ *~
This is a signature, an automated thingy that pops up when I comment, not a demand to see my blog!
Mind Control is Easier Than You Think
Hmmm....
You can, for one, just not read the whole blog. I hardly ever finish a really long blog, unless it's something I'm truly interested in. If you get a comment from me on a long blog, you know I actually read through it. Different people are interested in reading and writing about different things, so there will always be at least one person willing to read through those really long ones. You're in no way obligated to read them, and if you were really interested in what was being said in those blogs, you wouldn't be complaining about them being so long.
And about the close-minded people. I must say I have only run across one blogger who does not believe in God that is close-minded about it. Just one. And I read a heck of a lot of blogs, especially ones on religion and faith. There are many wonderful bloggers on here who don't believe but have no problem with me or anyone else believing. For the most part, the bloggers here ARE open-minded. If you've just had the bad luck to read some bad blogs, I'd be more than willing to point you in the direction of some wonderful and very open-minded bloggers whose blogs have delighted me on more than one occasion.
Big words, by the way, does not equal a thesaurus. I write the way I talk, and, being a bookworm, I know a LOT of big words. As a friend once told me, and I quote, "The thing about you is, you have this really extensive vocabulary, and you actually USE it." I own a thesaurus, yes, but it's upstairs buried under a mountain of unread books I'm just dying to find time to get to. And I'm sure that a lot of ProUers are the same way. This IS a blogging site for intelligent discussion and debate, and so intelligent people abound. And as a community of intelligent people, there's no reason to not use our general vocabulary in our blogs.
And, as everyone else said, you're probably getting the ProU Alumni Association badges confused with staff badges. All I did to earn mine was blog through a competition, and, I guess, blog well. I'm still very honored to have been invited to join, and kinda wondering why I was included among so many very awesome bloggers who are far more deserving of that honor than I.
Please keep in mind that this is not your average, run-of-the-mill blogging site. This is a place for progressive people with progressive ideals to gather together as a community and share their thoughts and opinions on various aspects of life, politics, education, etcetera.
There are good bloggers and bad bloggers, but the good far outnumber the bad. If you really want to be able to enjoy this site, just keep looking. You'll find the good bloggers with enough effort.
And that's comin' at ya' from yer local redneck hippie.
--
The Story of Myself
The whole thing about God is just ... completely an opinion. Why trash what other people believe when they could be trashing what you put your soul into? Now, you're just going against a great deal of other religions and how do you think that makes other people feel? I don't believe in God, but I'm not going to go and put down everyone who does. Why is religion such a big deal? So they don't believe what you do. That doesn't mean they should be condemned to eternal damnation...
A.m.y. <3
"The whole thing about God is just ... completely an opinion."
I am confused of what you mean by this. Do you mean that what I wrote about God is just an opinion, or that believing in God good in general is just an opinion?
If you are trying to say what I wrote is just an opinion, it is not. I have seen blogs, (not all of them) that try to persuade people to not believe in God, and blogs that have saved people who believe in God are uneducated. And yes I have seen less blogs where people who do believe God pressure the nonbelievers to believe.
"Why trash what other people believe when they could be trashing what you put your soul into?"
I think that you are seriously misunderstanding what I wrote. How did I trash what other people believe? If people choice to not believe in God, then that’s them and I will accept that, I just don't want people telling me that I shouldn't.
"Now, you're just going against a great deal of other religions and how do you think that makes other people feel? I don't believe in God, but I'm not going to go and put down everyone who does. Why is religion such a big deal? So they don't believe what you do. That doesn't mean they should be condemned to eternal damnation..."
Where are you getting all of this from, I am not condemning anyone for not believing, neither I am trying to persuade people to believe. Everyone can follow the own path they choose.
I think that you need to read my blog on the part about God again, because I do not see where you getting all of this from.
Thanks for not putting people down who do believe in God.
Liv Life Your Way
"I use to think that progressivu was this great site, but now I have come to realize that there are a lot of close-minded people on here, who only say that they are open minded; Especially the ones who do not believe in God."
Why especially ... why are they close minded just for not believing in God? I don't get that... It's strictly what they believe isn't it? I'm saying that your choice to believe is an opinion and other people's choice not to believe is also an opinion. It's just a debate about what they believe.
"I am constantly reading blogs about how people are so dumb to believe in God, and that you should not. I think that the nonbelievers pressure us to not believe in God more then we pressure them to believe."
That part makes it obvious how you feel about God. You value it. I respect that, but isn't it also in other people's opinion that God doesn't exist and believing is pointless? Religion is complicated because there's no right or wrong, so why is it right for you to say that people shouldn't blog about not believing?
I swear I'm not trying to be mean or start anything. It's just something I believe in... It's just that you're telling me that you think people can believe whatever they want to, but in your blog you said that the non-believers were close-minded...
I don't think it was meant to be interpreted as no one should blog about not believing. But there are those on this site who blog just to say that it is stupid to believe in God, and all sorts of other things that are backed up with no reason or logic whatsoever. And then there are those who attack the faith of those who do believe in God. People who blog about not believing in God, but are being respectful of the faith that some of us here have, they're just fine. I'm pretty sure the reference was being made about those who are disagreeable and just want to start conflict.
And that's comin' at ya' from yer local redneck hippie.
--
The Story of Myself
Okay, maybe I just misunderstood that part, but I still don't get why say that nonbelievers are close-minded... That makes no sense whatsoever why believers are open-minded and nonbelievers aren't ...
Probably just the ones she's found here. Luck of the draw, you know? If I was one to point fingers, I could give you the name to one VERY close-minded non-believer. But I won't. Of course, I could also point out some very close-minded believers, too...
Close-minded people bother me...
And that's comin' at ya' from yer local redneck hippie.
--
The Story of Myself
"Probably just the ones she's found here."
Hey. :-(
"Don't blame me. I voted for Kodos."
Homer Simpson
:( Sorry... my wording of that was kinda bad. My brain's not quite functioning today...
And that's comin' at ya' from yer local redneck hippie.
--
The Story of Myself
lol
"Don't blame me. I voted for Kodos."
Homer Simpson
I think the key is to remembering that it happens equally here. While you will see more blogs from those that don't believe dealing exclusively with God and their reasons for not believing, you find just as many blogs and comments from those who do believe attacking non believers and those they view as "sinners" for various things. No side is any more responsible for the problem here than is another.
The problem has become more to the point of in order to get respect, you first have to give respect... and neither side feels much like doing that since they are both constantly under attack. You have the vocal Christian folks coming here bashing the hell of out gay members of our community, the atheists in turning bashing the vocal Christians, the Christians denouncing the Muslims, Pagans, etc and they in turn, arguing with the vocal Christians. It has to be 50/50 and thus far, it really isn't.
I know several Christians here that are openly Christian and have never been attacked by an atheist or anyone else here for their beliefs. In truth, some of those people have had the very atheists often accused of being confrontational and assish leap to their defense on numerous occassions. Those same people (respectful Christian members) have, in truth, been able to openly discuss their beliefs in a very mutually respectful atmosphere and everyone has left those discussions happy.
Those, however, who try to force belief down the throats of others and are very confrontational and assish in their approach tend to infuriate everyone, including those respectful Christians so when the bashing does happen and those people are involved... no one particularly wants to come to their aid, their own brethren included.
Obviously, it doesn't always work that way and those Christians being beat over the head were only in your face about it after having dealt with the same first. But in my 2 years here, the vast majority of the conflicts I have seen have resulted because someone was confrontational, pissed someone else off, others jumped in but no one was willing to stand up for the instigator because he or she was being assish and ignorant in the first place. And unfortunately, it often seems to be a vocal and confrontational Christian that leads that charge that sets everyone else off.
Discussing religion and your beliefs is fine... but if you start out with the mentality that everyone else is wrong; you're going to irritate people and they are going to respond in kind. It comes with the territory of being self righteous and holier than thou. And I'm not at all saying that everyone is or that everyone who has been attacked has set themselves up for it.. just that more often than not, those arguments were started because that person was very confrontational and very offensive and no one was willing to stand for it... other believers (or non believers) included.
-----
Like writing? So do we!
~Fallon~
"If I fall asleep with a pen in my hand, don't remove it - I might be writing in my dreams."- Pace
-----
Very well put, Fallon!
And that's comin' at ya' from yer local redneck hippie.
--
The Story of Myself
"Why especially ... why are they close minded just for not believing in God? I don't get that... It's strictly what they believe isn't it? I'm saying that your choice to believe is an opinion and other people's choice not to believe is also an opinion. It's just a debate about what they believe."
If you would read a little further, I wrote because I read a lot of blogs about people who claimed to be open minded telling me not to believe in God, more then I read about believers telling them to believe.
"That part makes it obvious how you feel about God. You value it. I respect that, but isn't it also in other people's opinion that God doesn't exist and believing is pointless? Religion is complicated because there's no right or wrong, so why is it right for you to say that people shouldn't blog about not believing? "
Again I think that you are miss interrupting what I wrote. I never said that people cannot blog about not believing, just that I hate it when some people try to pressure us not to believe. There is a difference.
"It's just that you're telling me that you think people can believe whatever they want to, but in your blog you said that the non-believers were close-minded."
I said that I have met SOME close-minded non-believers on Progressiveu, and at the same time in my life I run across a lot of close-minded people who do believe in God.
Liv Life Your Way
What pressure can a person blogging against god apply? None. The same as the pressure those blogging for god can. All either side is doing is trying to convince the other they are right.
"Don't blame me. I voted for Kodos."
Homer Simpson
Well yea, "pressure" was not exactly that right word. Just other bloggers trying to persuade people to believe or not believe.
Liv Life Your Way
I would think that is exactly what progression is. If every side sticks to their own beliefs and refuses either to listen to the other side nor discuss reasons behind their dogma then how would any difference be made in the world?
It is the job of a generation to present a good argument in a non-threatening way of why things need to change. Persuasion is only negative when used against those who can not think for themselves.
The Heathen's Guide
LUST (Part I)
LUST (Part II)
In the case of religion persuasion is negative. The only time that I will EVER be stubborn is when someone is trying to persuade me to change my view on beliefs. Regardless, no matter how hard they try I will not, just their attempt alone is annoying.
I think that when it comes to religion whether you believe in God or not, no side really wants to listen to the others, because they already have their notion of religion set in their head to stay.
Liv Life Your Way
The choice to believe in god or not is not the central issue though. To change such an obscure and honestly unimportant issue has no direct effect upon society. The damage comes from the surrounding aspects of belief, such as those related to religion and religious beliefs. Believing in god does not make some hate homosexuals or work in a soup kitchen, but believing that god hates homosexuals or that god encourages one to "love thy neighbor" does directly affect society. The debate is not if you belief in a higher being or not (although that is what many want you to belief) but instead is about the underlying issues of what that belief extends to.
The inability for people to objectively and open-mindfully examine the real issues involved is where the damage is being done. Progress is slow and sometimes fails altogether because people use the excuse of religion (or lack of religion) as an excuse not to listen. Statements like "God hates fags" or "the bible says abortion is wrong" without any other argument is where the problem lies. And that goes the same for fundamental atheists as well. It is only when one allows religion to dictate their decision on real world issues that problems arise.
Yes, you may believe in god, but if that is your only reason to vote against gay marriage then you have failed to open your mind to the bigger issue. If you are against stem cell research because of a passage from the bible then you have missed the point. And this does not just apply to religious beliefs. It also goes for environmentalists and every other major group in America.
If you are unable to put yourself in the shoes of someone else then you have not done enough research on the subject.
That was a nice little speech, but I don't see how you got on the topic of gay marriages and abortion, from one small part in my blog about God. I think that you are getting all worked up over nothing.
And just so that we are clear, I do support gay marriages and abortion.
Also the issue of God is in no way unimportant.
Liv Life Your Way
I believe you missed the point of her post.
-----
Like writing? So do we!
~Fallon~
"If I fall asleep with a pen in my hand, don't remove it - I might be writing in my dreams."- Pace
-----
the topic wasn't gay marriage and abortion. It was all about how religious views are tied with closed-mindedness, which your blog proclaims to hate so much.
Read my Blogs!
This is Why I'm Hot
And My Other Blogs
Of course there are religious people who are closed-minded and there are people that are not religious who are also closed-minded too. Haven't we already established this fact?
Yes, I do dislike close-minded people, and religions have that power to breed them. However in the case of me, I accept everybody, because I know that everyone does not have my beliefs and will not pressure them into it. So quit attacking me, I can't help that other religious people are close-minded!
Liv Life Your Way
However in the case of me, I accept everybody, because I know that everyone does not have my beliefs and will not pressure them into it. So quit attacking me, I can't help that other religious people are close-minded!
That sounds like kind of a giant oxy-moron.
Don't take this the wrong way, but personally, I see "I'm perfect unlike everyone else because I don't judge..." or "everyone else is closed minded who's religious except me so I'm open-minded but no one else is." It seems silly the way you say it.
I'm sure you don't mean for your words to come out that way, but that's the way they're seen in this case. At least by me.
----
Procrastination isn't the problem, it's the solution. So procrastinate now, don't put it off. [Ellen Degeneres]
I didn't mean for my words to come out that way. I am in no way perfect and don't see how my words are coming out to seem like I am saying this.
To clarify what I mean, and I have said this before, is that religious and non-religious people are close-minded, and some open-minded. Many of the non-religious people I have met on here say that they are open-minded, and yet they try to convince people to not believe in God. I have seen this more often then I have seen religious people trying to persuade people to believe in God.
Liv Life Your Way
Wow, hun, you appear to be the one getting worked up. My point had nothing to do with gay marriage, abortion, or any other social issue and I quite clearly pointed out that the facts and issues lie with every group, not just religious minded.
I seriously believe if you are going to present the point of view you have with your original blog and then get worked up over all other opinions you need to reconsider your position on your own mindset. For everything you have attacked, excuse me, suggested is wrong with this site seems to be a reflection of the very ideas you are now griping against with your comments against those who post here.
You were quick to condemn close-minded people on this site (which I will not argue exist, for there as many as there are not) yet you seem very against hearing any other point of view. I simply suggested that what you say is closed minded atheists forcing the idea of "no god" down your throat is in reality a different issue than what is apparent at face value. I say the real issue are what people will do in the name of god or the bible as well as what people do in the name of the environment or the sun or any other force they believe to be enough of an excuse to be intolerant of others.
None of my comments have been contrary too what I wrote. Just because I am not letting everyone put words into my mouth with their comments and trying to interpret my blog into something that it is not, does not mean that I am close-minded.
You, as well as some others are making it out to be like I wrote that all people who are not religious are close-minded and religious people are not. That was never my point. I attacked close-mindedness on Progressiveu because I see a lot of people who are not religious writing blogs or comments about how only uneducated people believe in God. While they say they want religious people to stop pressuring them, they turn around and do the same thing. In my mind that is close-minded when you cannot accept people who do believe in God.
For the record, this does not go for all people who do not believe in God. I will stand with my original position, am not getting worked up, and welcome other people opinions about my blog, but will not be quiet about something I do not agree with, just as you are anyone else has not.
Liv Life Your Way
The only time that I will EVER be stubborn is when someone is trying to persuade me to change my view on beliefs. Regardless, no matter how hard they try I will not...
I do dislike close-minded people, and religions have that power to breed them...I can't help that other religious people are close-minded!
You seem like a nice girl, but the rules for objective, open-minded discussions don't change just because the subject of discussion moves to religion. One of the biggest problems that I have with religion is that the belief in it is inherently irrational. I am glad that you haven't let your beliefs lead you down the all-to-common path of religious intolerance and the inhumanity that so often follows, but that doesn't change the fact that your beliefs, however stubbornly you may cling to them, cannot stand up to an objective, rational challenge. NO religious belief can, and that is why the followers of religion tend to feel threatened whenever the are confronted with such a challenge.
TTFN,
Blackout
-------------------------
Yes, I've changed my username from "percivale" to "Blackout." Go here if you want to know why.
I think that you are confusing stubbornness with being close-minded. I say that am stubborn when it comes to the issue of religion, because I will never change what I believe and will stand by it. Other people or welcome to challenge my beliefs, I will listen and try my hardest to present them with facts against their view. Regardless my beliefs are not going to change, so why even try.
Being close-minded is when you cannot accept someone beyond your own personal views, which is why a lot (not all) religious people are close-minded about gay marriages, abortion, and whatever else. I prefer to not let my religion have me become prejudice towards people that are different from me.
Liv Life Your Way
...and so I will reply to you, below.
TTFN,
Blakout
-------------------------
Yes, I've changed my username from "percivale" to "Blackout." Go here if you want to know why.
for always saying "closed-mindedness." I much prefer that to "close-mindedness," because I always read it as close, as in proximity, rather than close, as in shut the door.
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/ediblewoman
In response to that big jumbled mess before this comment of mine...
How in the world did ya'll turn this all into an argument about religion, religious people versus non-religious people, and all that fun. The blog briefly mentioned God. It is more about "pet peeves" that she has dealing with ProgressiveU. No need to get all worked up and focus everything on that little bit she said about God and non-believers being close-minded in their blogs. I can understand being frustrated with those bloggers, who gripe about having religion shoved down their throats, then turn around and outwardly attack anyone who does believe. I've had a similar experience, so I know what she's talking about. So calm down, people. This isn't all about religion making people close-minded. It was about venting, and about things that bother o.thagrl. Sure, some of it may have been poorly worded, leading to some confusion, but I think she's made her point clear in her comments. It seems to me like some of ya'll are borderline attacking her for what she's said. That may not be your intention, but that's the way it's coming across.
So people, please... Calm down, and stop over-analyzing what's being said. I don't even know WHY abortion or gay marriages were brought into the discussion. If I'm remembering correctly, it has already been established somewhere in the previous comments that, yes, there are close-minded religious people as well as close-minded non-religious people. No need to start bringing in examples, pointing fingers, and making a big deal of it.
And that's comin' at ya' from yer local redneck hippie.
--
The Story of Myself
I'm in my final week of my religion class with the professor I complained about earlier. While the professor has made some disappointing statements during the term, I could not be prouder of my classmates. They've been phenomenal and have been able to discuss religion and the multitude of beliefs they hold very respectfully.
Unfortunately, here on ProgressiveU, it's a totally different story. The blogger mentioned religion in her blog and others have responded to that mention as well as to the mentions of everything else in her blog. Just because she only mentioned religion once doesn't mean that they shouldn't be able to discuss it. They absolutely should. No one was trying to be disrespectful, they were simply sharing different points of view. TomorrowToday used the gay/abortion argument to highlight what she was trying to say about the extensions of belief in a higher power that cause the big debate. Again, there's nothing wrong with that.
At some point, we have to realize that discussion of religion is acceptable and that getting offended or upset in the course of that discussion doesn't really solve anything. I've read through the comments twice. She wasn't attacked. Nor did she attack anyone else. Her beliefs weren't attacked as being wrong. TomorrowToday merely pointed out that it's not having belief that is the debate, it's the "underlying issues of what that belief extends to" that is the cause of the debate. That's not offensive either. Nor is illustrating that closed-minded people dwell on all sides of the religious line or discussing that avenue.
If we can't discuss religion here, where can we discuss it? If we can't agree that one doesn't have to respect a belief in order to be tolerant of that belief, where do we recognize that fact? If we can't agree that religious debate shouldn't be avoided simply because people disagree, then where does that leave us?
The reality is, at some point we each have to examine our own reactions to debate and leave everyone else's reactions to them to contend with. Sure, sometimes someone is going to say something that comes across as offensive. That doesn't mean that it all has to go downhill from there. Redirect the conversation by responding politely instead of responding in kind. Receiving offense is not a reason to give offense in return. And it's not that difficult to say one disagrees without getting bent out of shape in the process. Tempers don't have to rise and discussion, even when religion is only one mention in a list of others, doesn't have to be avoided. It's disappointing to me that we think it shouldn't be a matter for discussion simply because one individual merely mentioned it. If it's mentioned, it is a matter for discussion. Just as everything else she mentioned here was open to discussion.
That's the beauty of blogging. You will say something, even in passing, and people will respond to what you have said. You will, in return, respond to them and the cycle continues. The key is remembering that the cycle doesn't have to include being offensive in order for discussion to be generated. She specifically mentioned non-believers here... they have a right to respond to what she's said and so on and so forth. And thus far... I've seen nothing in the conversation that could be considered offensive, including Blackout's mention that religion is inherently irrational. I have a religion too... that didn't offend me and shouldn't anyone else either. It's merely his belief... he isn't pressuring anyone into believing that same thing or saying you're an idiot for believing. We have to be willing to entertain the belief that just because we disagree doesn't make one or the other of us absolutely completely wrong. No one knows for sure. We might just discover that we've all had it at least a little right or a little wrong, even those beliefs that are polar opposites.
Believe me, I know how irritating these conversations can get. I've been moderating them for over a year. But... unless we're each willing to do our part by leading by example instead of outright avoiding, being tolerant instead of saying absolutely not, responding calmly and respectfully instead of in outrage and recognizing that even in religion everyone's ultimate is viewed differently and that it's okay... religious discussion is never going to move beyond the How Dare You phase we so often seem to be stuck in.
And with that, I'm off to convince myself that essays will not write themselves.
-----
Like writing? So do we!
~Fallon~
"If I fall asleep with a pen in my hand, don't remove it - I might be writing in my dreams."- Pace
-----
I never said anything about not discussing religion. But, to me, it seemed like people were getting a little fired up about it. It's not the subject matter that prompted me to make that comment. I will admit, I'm a little frustrated at the moment. So I'm taking this opportunity to finally and completely step out of this discussion. Like I said, it came across to ME that some people were coming awfully close to letting things get out of hand. I'm sure no one means for it to come across that way. And maybe everyone, including myself, needs to make sure to watch the wording of what we say, because we don't have the luxury of tone of voice to clarify things across the internet.
Now, I don't recall telling everyone to stop discussing religion. I was aiming for "Calm down and watch your wording, people, it's coming across as the beginnings of what could easily evolve into a heated argument over a little misunderstanding of something someone says." So it seems I wasn't clear enough. I apologize. I am aware of the fact that most people here don't think the same way I do, and so I often have to go back and clarify what I was trying to say. I'm trying to get better at that.
Once again, I apologize for not being clear enough. Good luck with getting those essays done, by the way.
And that's comin' at ya' from yer local redneck hippie.
--
The Story of Myself
I didn't mean to imply that you said it should be avoided altogether. I meant more that your comment came across as if you were irritated that they had begun the discussion about religion here when it really didn't have a purpose here since she only mentioned it. I was just pointing out that it did fit here and that no one was being offensive or insulting and that's a good thing.
The other parts were more directed at everyone that gets irritated or frustrated during such discussions, not you or anyone else in particular. We all have to lead by example or we're going to have to continue having those discussions that turn into a flame war. I think that, if enough people refuse to be return offending comments in kind and continue flagging those, we can head the problem off.
But... it gets hard to do that when one offending statement is replied too with another and then another and another. Refusing to be party to that can help keep a discussion civil. If only one person is being offensive and insulting and no one else is responding in kind, they either get the picture that it's not acceptable or they get ToS violations. It turns into an even bigger mess, however, when there are 20 people involved and they're all being insulting and no one is willing to discuss rationally and respectfully.
That's more the point I was getting at, though apparently not particularly well.
-----
Like writing? So do we!
~Fallon~
"If I fall asleep with a pen in my hand, don't remove it - I might be writing in my dreams."- Pace
-----
I nor do I think Kinkatia are trying to say that religion should be avoided. Just that what I wrote in my blog about how some non-religious people on here are close-minded, has been spun out of control in an entire different argument about religion. Your right no one was being purposely offensive, just everyone, especially me (from what I’ve learned from writing this blog) have to be careful of their words because it can come off that way.
Liv Life Your Way
I guess I just don't get why ya'll think it's been spun out of control?The discussion, to me, hasn't been spun out of control at all. Everything that has been discussed, as far as I can see, relates directly back to that original argument that you made about non believers being closed-minded. No one has been offensive or insulting.
-----
Like writing? So do we!
~Fallon~
"If I fall asleep with a pen in my hand, don't remove it - I might be writing in my dreams."- Pace
-----
But Fallon it has been spun off from my original blog. My point in my blog was that a lot of non-religious people that I have met on here have been close-minded when it comes to the issue about God. It seems like THEY are the ones that are unwilling to listen to the argument for God.
People have been interrupting this in me saying that all non-religious people are close-minded, and religious people are the only ones that are not. This simply is not what I am trying to say, like I have said three times already, I recognize that, religious or not some people will be close-minded.
Liv Life Your Way
interpret: to determine the meaning of
interrupt: to stop someone from talking.
Please, learn the difference between the two.
~C
Check out the latest entry in the Between The Lines column!
Want the highest rated list to change? RATE those blogs, then!
Excuse me, I am sorry that I mispelled the word, and I do know the meaning between the two. That was very rude of you.
Liv Life Your Way
To correct someone is not impolite. This has happened to me on several occasions. A misspelled word here and there usually isn't a big deal, but when it's on a blog complaining about the quality of the website, it becomes so. Sort of like you are applying seperate standards to other bloggers. (Even if that isn't your intention)
"Don't blame me. I voted for Kodos."
Homer Simpson
My blog is not necessarily complaining about the quality of the website, just about some things that bothers me about some of the other bloggers.
Liv Life Your Way