Bingowings said:
Well yeah but they were in response to other posts in other threads where they were sort of originally on topic.
Thus exposing the pointless nature of this thread.
Homosexuality in of itself is hardly worth talking about.
Obviously there is a great divergence of opinion, and it was consuming many other threads even when this thread was first started, making this thread anything but pointless, as all other threads could be freed up.
Men and women of the same gender being drawn to each other with an end to getting theirs away with each other.
All the other talk has been about 'traditionalists' wanting to perpetuate some form of prejudice.
We don't have a thread of colour or a female thread for much the same reason.
There isn't much to having darker than Caucasian skin but you can write volumes about the prejudices it's evoked with a bit of assistance from interpretations of scripture.
I think having a thread about racism would actually be valuable for discussion, especially if such a discussion took off elsewhere. Racism is still quite extant, and its nature (and the subsequent abuse of the race card, the pros and cons of affirmative action, etc.) are actually quite valuable for discussion. I don't know why you think it's not worth talking about. I've seen such threads in other forums' Off Topic sections..
Similarly we don't have a passive aggressive paranoiac's thread.
I want to address something, not just to you, but to everyone. What I am about to say could hurt feelings permanently, but I think it's important to point out. I have a suspicion that Warbler has an autism-spectrum disorder, perhaps what was until recently called Asperger's . I got this list from a website:
ASPERGERS: CLINICAL FEATURES
One of the primary features of Aspergers is their passion for favorite topics or special interests. Some of these areas include:
• astronomy
• dinosaurs
• extraterrestrials
• geography
• history
• machines or machinery
• maps
• math
• metereology
• music
• reading
• science
• social studies
• space travel
• trains
• weather
I might suggest other topics like politics or sports.
Socialization deficits—
• Are inflexible and incapable of coping with change
...
• Difficulties making social connections
• Easily stressed and emotionally vulnerable
• Frequently described as “odd” or selfish
• Highly frustrated by their social awkwardness/alienation
• Lack effective interaction skills — not desire
• Lack understanding of human relations and rules of social convention
• Naïve and lack common sense
...
• Seldom interested in other's interests/concerns
• Unable to “read” others' needs and perspectives
• Unable to appropriately respond to social cues
How often have members here laughed at Warbler's inability to get an obvious joke or his taking things too literally or personally?
Social rejection of Aspergers kids—
Because of their social ineptness ASPERGERS kids are often the focus of bullying, scape-goating, hazing and teasing. This often leads to anxiety, feelings of rejection, depression and withdrawal.
...
For some teenagers, computers are an alternative from stressful social situations. Computers also provide a more linear, modulated form of socialization that ASPERGERS kids are more skilled and comfortable at handling. Since many ASPERGERS kids become very computer proficient, they become valuable resources to their peers. It also provides a media for social interaction in which they can feel competent and valued.
...
Use of Language—
• Concrete language rather than abstract
• Difficulty understanding humor
...
• Typically revert to favorite topic area...
• Weak pragmatic-conversational-skills
TEACHING STRESS REDUCTION SKILLS—
AS kids are:
• are often anxious and worrisome
• easily overwhelmed
• highly sensitive
• often engage in rituals
I got these from this site. I removed what I thought was not applicable in Warbler's case or was not available just by reading his computer posts. You can see the whole list at the link.
I feel Warbler fits many of these criteria and have thought so for some time. I didn't ever point it out because of my fear of hurting him and because I could easily be incorrect, as it's hard to judge a person by computer posts alone. But I feel the need to point it out now as he is so often the subject of negative humor, yea, even what some might call prejudice. Folks judge him without truly knowing him. For this reason I again resort to this quote:
Similarly we don't have a passive aggressive paranoiac's thread.
Since this quote is obviously referring to Warbler, let me again say that perhaps it is not a bad idea to have a thread devoted to the prejudices, bigotry, and mistreatment directed at those who have emotional, psychological, or personality disorders. They too are victims, often completely without recognition. I want everyone to consider just perhaps how hypocritical they may have been in their treatment of others, including Warbler, without understanding the hardships many of them go through.