Bialystock: It's not the same though, is it? You're comparing a recognisable phenomenon with a medical condition. In fact, where's the harm in a thread asking if it's unreasonable to believe there's no such thing as racism? Is asking the question racist in and of itself? Of course it's not, that's the thinking of totalitarianism.
"Whereas someone does post "AIBU to think that 'xyz [disability/condition] is not real" and the post stands. And is seen as not only not offensive by people such as you, but a legitimate debate and people "expressing an opinion"."
Because that's what it is. That people are tired of having to explain this shit one more time is plain to see, that some may be offended by the question being asked is inevitable, but that's almost by the by. Where does one draw the line? I get tired of people who think mental health is just a case of pulling yourself together, it's an ignorant and largely discredited view, but who am I to demand the question should never be raised? What does that say about the person I am to demand any dissenters from the party line be denied a voice? My personal battle with mental health has been ugly and traumatic, but that oesn't give me carte blanche to silence other people. I reserve the right to be offended, should that be the case, I reserve the right to say Iim offended, should that be the case, but I've no right (and nor should I have) to demand punitive action against people who think differently from me.
That's what a forum's about, surely? That's when the format is at its best, when people are given a platform to air their views at the risk of making a fool of themselves or with the hope of maybe influencing the views of somebody else; at the risk of offending people or with the hope of finding like-minded souls.
"It's like saying "AIBU to think that breast cancer [eg] wasn't nearly so prevalent when I was young"."
Ye, I suppose it is. It's a silly thing to say, but bannable? Then you've drawn a line. Do you not think that the ADD thread (for instance) has produced some great posts? I've learned at least as much about the condition over those 600 posts than I knew before reading it. And even if I hadn't that's still no reason to deny people the platform to out themselves, whether deliberately or by their further actions within said threads.
"Such threads often veil bigotry and discrimination under the guise of 'debate'."
Mmm, perhaps they do, perhaps not; I'm usually loathe to ascribe motive behind posts; it's a crap-shoot at best and projecting at worst and neither reflects well on the person doing such a thing. But, for the sake of argument, lets say they 'often' do. So what? The problem isn't hearing the words, it's accepting the words, the point of view, the attitude. No one here's being asked or told to do that are they? Quite the opposite, in fact. People can either engage with the poster they disagree with (hopefully not lowering to standards they themsleves are decrying) or they have the option to ignore: a far more powerful tool than many people realise.