This was a tough decision to make. One can argue that the decision is unjust and that I have infringed on a person’s freedom of speech. That may very well be the case. However, I based my decision on what is best for the board and the majority of members.

I created this site to be a comfortable, welcoming online home for Baytown citizens as well as others scattered around the globe. It is supposed be informative, entertaining and fun. Recent posts in the Religion forum, however, have spawned hate, rude and sarcastic remarks, and a general feeling of unease for many of our guests and members. I know because I have received multiple emails from members saying that they have decided to leave and will not be returning. This is unacceptable. I will not have a situation like the Baytown Sun recently had.

This is still an open forum and everyone is free to speak his or her mind. The problem comes in when the discussion turns into a heated argument with name-calling and rude remarks about each other. This generates even more hateful posts and new threads and the situation begins to spiral out of control. Feelings get hurt and members who came here looking for enjoyment get offended and leave. Are they right to be offended? Are they simply being oversensitive by allowing their feelings to get hurt? I say it doesn’t matter. The world isn’t all black and white and unfortunately, you sometimes have to remove some of the gray.

Ggeorge2814, I’m sure you have the means to create a new account with a new IP address, and that you probably will and will eventually read this post. If this is the case, I apologize if you feel you have been singled out and treated unfairly. However, it appears that this board may not be the place for you. If you are on a crusade to “educate” Christians about their “delusions” and to convince them that they are wrong, your posts would be more suited on a religious forum where those arguments are welcomed. All they have done here is agitated members and caused some to leave. While we do have a section for religious discussion, this is not a religious forum. It is first and foremost a community forum. It is meant to strengthen the community, not scatter and weaken it. Unfortunately, that is what your posts have done.

As I said, one can argue that I have been unfair in banning ggeorge2814. Nevertheless, I feel that in this case the ends justify the means.

I’m sorry ggeorge2814, but the people have spoken.

This post was last modified: Jun 29, 2008 02:30 PM by Dorian Gray.

Wow. Did you even read some of the responses that were directed towards George? All of the name-calling, hatred, and rude remarks came mostly from people like Clod and Davo, and not from George.

It is your board, and you can do as you wish. But if you are going to ban someone because their opinions don't align with the popular view, then I probably don't belong here, either. So, you might as well ban me as well.

When did I say that I had banned G because his beliefs didn't line up with the popular view? I thought I made myself clear that my decision was based on what was best for the site. If G had been allowed to stay, he would have continued with his crusade to convince everyone that there is no god. Christians would have continued to reply back, discussions would have turned into arguments and it would have led to more name calling and rude comments. Yes, the Christians were responsible for some of the name calling and hurtful remarks. But without G, none of it would have happened.

Athiests are more than welcome to start or join in the discussions and post their views. But when someone's sole intention is to convince everyone that there is no god and that is their only reason for posting, it is just going to lead to trouble.

This post was last modified: Jun 29, 2008 03:22 PM by Dorian Gray.

Very Clear Dorian and a class act. It's your BBQ and smelt good until ggeorge attacted Christians or religion on every post available. We all have the right to choose our battles. I wouldn't give him the time of day and would have erased him long ago.

Sorry Athiest you loose again & again & again.

CWS

Good for YOU, Dorian.
ggggeorgeeee didn't want to debate. He wanted to argue. He wanted to talk DOWN to people. Demean them any way he could. I consider "G" to be a prime example of what's WRONG with this country...this WORLD, actually. Perhaps george will take his OWN advice and 'educate himself'.

You are correct though. george hasn't gone far. People like him never completely go away. As long as there are GOOD people in this world there will be someone like george telling them that they aren't good at ALL, and they'll have proof and they'll shove their proof down your throat.

Keep up the good work, Dorian.

Bob Loblaw,

I noticed that you gave my member profile a negative reputation point and then called my actions "cowardly". You should know that since I started this site, other than a few members that registered for the sole purpose of spamming all of our forums with junk posts, G is the first member I have ever banned. Furthermore, I waited until our members started abandoning this site because of him before deciding that banning G was the solution. I'm not sure how you have qualified me as a coward, but don't bother explaining. I'm really not interested.

This post was last modified: Jun 30, 2008 03:45 AM by Dorian Gray.