When people are allowed to say idiotic things unchallenged

Should people be able to have opinions? Absolutely, but should they be able to charade them as facts? Or hide behind the completely shallow cover of ''Prove me wrong" Prove that a cow can not jump over the moon.

The problem with this kinda of protectionism for idiotic statements is that it leads to folks like Jenny McCarthy making misleading statements under the guise of , "That is my BELIEF!" Politeness towards ignorance in this case leads to more and more parents not getting their kids childhood shots and viruses that were almost eradicated are now making a come back. All because people like Oprah (who had McCarthy on her show) were to lazy to check facts or to polite to tell Jenny she was being an idiot.

So my question , do we prefer the truth or politeness?

Should people be able to have opinions? Absolutely, but should they be able to charade them as facts? Or hide behind the completely shallow cover of ''Prove me wrong" Prove that a cow can not jump over the moon.

The problem with this kinda of protectionism for idiotic statements is that it leads to folks like Jenny McCarthy making misleading statements under the guise of , "That is my BELIEF!" Politeness towards ignorance in this case leads to more and more parents not getting their kids childhood shots and viruses that were almost eradicated are now making a come back. All because people like Oprah (who had McCarthy on her show) were to lazy to check facts or to polite to tell Jenny she was being an idiot.

So my question , do we prefer the truth or politeness? Originally Posted by WTF

Well I think you know my answer..lawls.

I agree and that is exactly my point with religion! But with that aside, since we have a whole other lengthy thread on that, no. I believe that allowing people to believe things that are incorrect, false, or simply not based on facts, logic, etc; definitely should not be patronized, or allowed to continue with such ill beliefs with out some one pointing out the obvious to them.

definitely should not be patronized, or allowed to continue with such ill beliefs with out some one pointing out the obvious to them. Originally Posted by Bebe Le Strange

It's a social network, religion was Facebook before Facebook.

They know it's phoey but they feel comfy together. Nothing wrong with that in my book. Just have to fight them from shoving their beliefs down mt throat! LOL

yeah what we need is a re-education camp

yeah what we need is a re-education camp Originally Posted by nevergaveitathought

We are already trying that, It's called school vouchers!!

Obviously a perfect world would be all truth. The problem is it isn't practical in our world. It goes back to the classic question (or many similar to it), "Do these jeans make my butt look big?"

The question is where is the line? When is politeness unacceptable?

The question is where is the line? When is politeness unacceptable? Originally Posted by atlcomedy

You'll have to ask Lauren

You'll have to ask Lauren Originally Posted by WTF

I won't mention any names, but it cracks me up when I tell the truth on this forum and get told I'm a jerk or an ass or I lack civility,but the truth is

(in my best Jack voice)

"(Some people) CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH!"

You'll have to ask Lauren Originally Posted by WTF

We are already trying that, It's called school vouchers!!
Originally Posted by WTF

and all this time i thought it was charles teaching his kids

So my question , do we prefer the truth or politeness? Originally Posted by WTF

I would hope that when I say something idiotic that the person who attempts to tell me I am misinformed does it in a polite, but honest manner. I think that is how we learn from each other. I cannot speak for others, but if I was made to feel insulted on a personal level I would most likely shut down, and hear very little that another has to say after that.

It is also true that people can get over defensive with even the slightest critisism. It is actually pretty brave to attempt correct someone when you know they have their facts wrong, but I really think that a line is crossed when it is the person who is being attacked, and no longer their ideas, or opinions.

I think that most of the people here are pretty good about not crossing any lines, but every once in a while I will just read something that makes me cringe.

OK back to my nap now

You'll have to ask Lauren Originally Posted by WTF

Idiotic things are free to go unchallenged - and so is incredibly rude behaviour.

Welcome to the internet - where manners and civility are unfortunately outdated.

Truth Hurts...

Idiotic things are free to go unchallenged - and so is incredibly rude behaviour.

Welcome to the internet - where manners and civility are unfortunately outdated. Originally Posted by Lauren Summerhill

Yet you challenge one and not the other and don't forget idiotic theories, belief's and narcissism, from which rude behavior is born.

Narcissi do not like to be challenged, they think the very fact that you question them is grounds for rude behavior. They never admit to any wrong doing. So looking at it from another perspective (from those that deal with the narrcist) the rude behavior is actually emulating from the narcissi.

It is also true that people can get over defensive with even the slightest critisism. It is actually pretty brave to attempt correct someone when you know they have their facts wrong, but I really think that a line is crossed when it is the person who is being attacked, and no longer their ideas, or opinions.
Originally Posted by Becky

If you debate their idea's and all they do is cry that you are attacking them, how do you get accross to them that you are not attacking them personally..... all you are doing is shooting down rubbish? People like that feel attacked if they are questioned. That is their modus operandi.

It is like screaming at a little kid not to stick his/her finger in a outlet and all they do is cry about you yelling. Some points need decisive action, not coddling and consoling. A little kid may not understand you yelling but good golly , I assume we are all adults. Those same kids have no problem yelling at those they do not care for. Why would they do that is they can not take back and forth of a healthy debate. Don't they know this is not some controlled enviorment where they can pick and choose their date to say only what they want to hear? Personally I think that is part of the problem, so many on here are so damn used to getting their way that they can not stand to be questioned. I love to be questioned. It makes me question myself with things I may have never thought of.

The question is where is the line? When is politeness unacceptable? Originally Posted by atlcomedy

Ok let me answer this in a more serious tone for my beloved Becky's ears.

Have you ever seen an old car on the highway? No AC, no modern conviences? That is when I have no trouble being polite...."Oh your car is so great, I wish I had one, it brings back so many great memories yadayada..."

But when it is blowing smoke all over the highway and I am having to breath that nasty pollution , I am not so polite after they tell me it is not their belief that the old car is polluting.

That is when I try and be polite but I sure do not want others to believe that nonsense. Shit before long there will be a caravan of clunkers fogging up the information highway. That is where the trouble begins. You have questioned someone that believes they are beyond question because that is who they surround themselves with, people who know better than to question them or else they be accused of being an asshole. When venturing out in the real world, such as the internet things don't work like that.

Science knows pollution when it smells it!

If we preferred politeness then a thread like this would not exist. If we preferred truth we would know that a thread like this is unlikely to get us to that either.