Anti-Religious Trolling On Mumsnet

[DioneTheDiabolist]

I get that not everyone is religious and that some people are very anti-religious (some with good reasons).

But some MNetters are religious, others are simply curious. So how come so many threads are allowed to be derailed by anti-religious trolls? Today a thread about Good Friday was deleted because a troll came on. FFS, it's Easter! Threads about Islam are regularly derailed by Islamophobes. On a thread seeking information on Judaism in the Philosophy & Religion topic, a troll has posted LMFAO. Ok, serious question, why does the Jewish God make all men wear a funny beards? She continues venting for a few posts before eventually exiting the thread saying that she is on drugs because It's Easter, party time.

She is a MN regular, like most of the anti-religious trolls here. I have reported her posts but they still stand.

Trolls are not interested in knowing what other people think or believe. They have no desire to discuss the point of actual threads and rarely start threads of their own regarding their issues with religion or belief. They just derail threads in the hope of driving all talk of religion and different beliefs off MN. And they are succeeding.

Why are MNHQ allowing this to happen? Deleting threads instead of dealing with posters? Allowing blatant anti-religious trolling to derail threads that people may find supportive or informative? Is MN a religion free zone? Because if it is, that's ok. I just think that religious posters should be told. Then they can go elsewhere if they wish to discuss their beliefs.

[SurferJet]

Wouldn't it be easier to just throw the leaflets in the bin ?
I get loads of leaflets shoved through my door, mostly pizza delivery - I hate pizza, but I wouldn't dream of chasing the guy up the street.

[capsium]

Bertrand the thing is, that it is not only prayer threads that believers want to share their experiences and advice within the context of belief though. I am thinking particularly of threads which seek advice regarding aspects of Christian worship. It does seem to derail a thread when someone comes on just to say, in not so many words, "Why bother, it is all rubbish."

This is something that does seem to happen and whilst it sometimes can lead to some interesting discussions, it can mean that believers miss out on being able to properly talk about aspects of their faith amongst other believers or even non believers who wish to properly consider the faith questions they are asking. Their initial questions (reason for posting) are simply dismissed, not discussed and the topic moves on to challenging / defending Christian belief - which is what fills many threads. Though, as I have said, some of the asides are interesting and perhaps worthwhile but it would be nice to be able to discuss aspects of belief and religious practise more in depth.

[SagaAndMartinsLiftConvos]

I'm an atheist but I agree OP. I do cringe when people inevitably start making their hilarious cracks about sky fairies and spaghetti monsters and so on. Just seems a bit sixth-form really.

I'll have a problem with someone's beliefs as soon as they start (a) trying to impose them on me, or (b) hurting people in their name.

I don't even mind pamphleters and JWs really. Takes two seconds to nod and smile and take the tract for the recycling, say thanks and bye.

[OutwiththeOutCrowd]

I actually agree with you there Capsium. Not every thread is an opportunity to discuss whether God exists or not. If a vulnerable person posts looking for spiritual support or advice from Christians, I think atheists should hold back from turning it into yet another 'God exists/no he doesn't' thread.

[Abraid2]

But I don't regard any god as divine so I'd have no issue saying god or buddha or allah or seth or any other god


You've missed the point.

[BertrandRussell]

"I have a problem with someone's beliefs as soon as they start (a) trying to impose them on me, or (b) hurting people in their name.

I agree. I think the problem with your point a) is that people of faith don't think they do. And are inclined to belittle (see what I did there?) people who say they are. Even when given examples.

[BertrandRussell]

"If a vulnerable person posts looking for spiritual support or advice from Christians, I think atheists should hold back from turning it into yet another 'God exists/no he doesn't' thread."

To be fair, they do, don't they? There used to be a heavy clodhoppered poster who piled in regardless, but I haven't seen her around for ages.

[buffyajp]

Ref sky fairies is a extremely disrespectful term to someone who believes. It most certainly isn't a constructive comment and actually shows poor debating skills if you have to resort to the use of it. I'm sorry you lost your mother but nothing excuses being offensive towards someone else because they believe something you don't. I lost my son a couple of years ago and I don't feel the need to abuse others.

[Lovelydiscusfish]

OP, I totally agree.
As others have said, there are clearly a number of regular posters on here (theists and atheists) who enjoy a lot of debate on the topic, and might start threads clearly to facilitate that. I think that's obviously fine, and in general those posters, although they might argue robustly, avoid hate-speech of any kind (against religion or atheism).
The problem is when threads are started by someone of faith to discuss aspects of their experience, and someone jumps in with hateful and ridiculing comments. For example, I can remember threads where religious posters posted for support because they were upset about lack of tolerance for their faith among their acquaintances, hateful comments being made etc. And some posters feeling it appropriate to post aggressive and mocking anti-faith sentiment on a thread asking for support dealing with that very issue! Staggering.
I have seen some similar support type threads started by atheists, and have not seen hateful views expressed on these by people of faith - but if that does happen, or course it is equally inappropriate and disgusting.

[Abraid2]

If you think believers think God has wings you've been reading some really weird religious tracts.

[buffyajp]

All you had to do oh fuck was leave the thread when you saw what it was about. I don't think there was anything inflammatory about the title personally but you were not obliged to post. I also don't see why people should not post threads about religion on other parts of the site. I see numerous school threads written on chat but they don't get told to go back to the education board. Also whether you believe in God or not Jesus is a historical figure I find it rather strange that you find the name of such offensive. Do you find naming other historical figures offensive too?

[capsium]

I view it as fairly mild, in the pantheon of insults I could choose.

If what you are wanting to do is insult someone it shouldn't come as a surprise when they take offence. Surely that is the purpose of delivering an insult?

[BertrandRussell]

"The problem is when threads are started by someone of faith to discuss aspects of their experience, and someone jumps in with hateful and ridiculing comments"

Yeah, well, I hear a lot about threads like that. Haven't actually read many, though.

I have been involved in quite a few threads where people have been told to "suck it up" when they are concerned about the religious influences in state education, for example. And where people without faith have been told they most then also have no moral compass, no sense of wonder and no charitable impulses..........

[HermioneWeasley]

"Sky fairy" and "imaginary friend" are fair descriptions of belief in anthropomorphic god/s and Angels IMO.

If people are having a debate about religion and belief, I think they're fair terms. I've certainly been told online and in real life that I will burn in hell for my non belief, as was my 7 year old son. Fortunately this is a pointless threat for atheists

I would never go on the prayer threads and threads which are for people of faith having a discussion. I didn't see yesterday's thread so can't comment specifically - I probably would have clicked,, rolled my eyes and shut it again, but I think the point is fair that if you post a click baity link in chat, you can't really complain if people with a different view bite back.

[Abraid2]

You said God, not angels.

'Sky fairies is a factual description of what you construe god to be, in my view.'

[SurferJet]

Ohfuckaducky - why do you post on religious threads if you hate religion so much? Why don't you just hide the threads, or skip past them?
I'm not particularly religious but I'd never be disrespectful to fellow mumsnetters beliefs.