Tyrone's signature

is my signature offensive?

Since when has freedom of speech (i.e. being free to express an idea that is not slanderous) taken a back-seat to what "might" be offensive? I have been advised that my signature "may" offend senstive readers.

In long debates on other forums with Muslims, Jews, Atheists etc... not a single one has every found my signature (or variants thereof) offensive. It has, instead, generated many interesting exchanges which have displayed a surprising amount of tolerance. Seems freedom of speech is still alive and well in the Far East. Far fewer people are offended by an idea than one would think...

If you find my signature offensive, feel free to email me and we can discuss it further, else you can reply here and we can discuss it in the open like a mature society instead of going to complain to the admins.

Have pleasant evening.

tt4n

 

This is a website for discussions on fish - not religious topics. Thread closed.

 

As Henk has stated this forum is for the discussion of tropical fish/plants and not religion. As far as I'm aware on pretty much all south african forums I'm on religion is not a topic to be discussed. I have never ever seen a religious debate on the internet lead to "interesting exchanges".

 

Please also note that the rules have not changed, simply made more clear. Please see the user agreement:
http://www.tropicalaquarium.co.za/showthread.php?t=2

 

Hi Tyrone

I don't think your signature offensive at all nor do I see any problem with it. We aren't going into any religious debates on here as a result of your signature, so I personally don't have a problem with it. Don't know how the rest of the board feels about it.

With the following part of the User Agreement in mind...

...my question is if nobody's complained, why make an issue out of it?

I suggest let's all give our opinion in this matter because I personally think this is a bit ridiculous

Cheers
Dale

 

Hi Solex and Tyrone,

I didn't find his thread offensive at all, but being a fellow believer myself, and an active memeber in my church, I wouldn't be offended by it. I am glad to see someone standing up for what they believe.

BUT having said that... His signature was a link to a course. This is an aquarium forum, and by joining we accepted the rules and regulations. Ty, yes, we fall under the Kingdom rules, which is go forth and preach, teach and make disciples. But remember that by joining this forum, you accept to fall under these rules. (Remember- give to caesar what is caesar's.- that means OBIDE by the laws of the land and the places YOU yourself put yourself into.) And part of those rules is not to advertise unless it is within the confines of the rules and reg's. And I think that having your signature as a link is a very sneaky way of advertising. There's no point in being bold in what you believe, but then having an alterior motive behind the signature.

And although I take my hat off to you for your signature, please be aware that the forum doesn't want any religion or politics in the threads... which unfortunately I would have to agree with. There is nothing more frustrating than reading in a forum dedicated to a specific topic about someone's personal political and religious view.

Maybe the Mod's can assist or back me up... I don't think they would have had a problem with your signature in general, I think the problem came in the fact that it was a link to your alpha course.

 

Well said Zoom....I concur the link should maybe then be removed, but for the rest of the wording, I think it shouldn't be a problem

 

Ok then. How about I'm offended by it then? What now?

 

the topic was freedom of speech

the topic was freedom of speech, not religion.

It is very unfair to change the rules ad hoc in the middle of the game. But this is your right and I choose not to abide by it and will thus leave.

All freedoms in society hinge on freedom of speech and property rights. I will respect you property rights even though you do not respect my freedom of speech.

this topic is still not about religion but about freedom fo speech.

tt

 

You obviously didn't read my post right after that one saying the rules have not changed and it has always been in the user agreement (which you agreed to and obviously did not read)

 

Hey Tyronne!

I hear your plight, and am also a little confused as to why this was Cut, after all, it was posted in the OFF- TOPIC section, and so therfore should be honoured. At the same time, I realise that religious content may be a debate minefield, but just because its a difficult subject, it should not be brushed under the carpet. Whether or not people have any religous beliefs, does not change the fact that these are potentially life changing issues. Shall we also not talk about famine, aids/hiv, swine flu and other medical issues, education, sex, drugs etc just because they are difficult???

If Tyronnes signiture is considered offensive, should all people with any kinda philosophical signiture also remove theirs??

Just my tupence worth, and I hope no one was offended by it!

Cheers
Big G!

 

Ok, now I'm really confused! I replied to a differnt thread, and ended up here! What happened?? Now, having read the rest of this debate, I would say that maybe yes the link should be removed, but then anyone else with any other sort of link that pushes something none fish related should also have to remove their links, in order to fulfill the terms and conditions so to speak! Whether that be cars, women, aircraft, sports activities, etc;

And Rory, as amain man on this forum, I think it is unfair of you to choose which topics are to be associated with this site based on your personal reaction to whether something is offensive or not? If there ae rules considering these issues, then they should be followed, but must encompass ALL aspects, rather than just the ones that are offensive to you personally. I don't mean this as a personal attack, more as a suggestion, and reaction to your statement earlier about 'what if you're offended by it'?? It is your right to be offended, but that cannot influence other peoples reaction any more than people react to Tyronnes Signiture.

It seems a shame to me that such a good website can become a place of hostility because of a persons beliefs?

Sorry, I'm loosing the point now, so will sign off!

Cheers
Big G!

 

It saddens me that ones freedom of speech is compromised due to lack of tolerance. Another pathetic case of throwing the baby out with the bath water.
Rules clearly state, no religious discussion, but that has not happened here. As Tyrone clearly states, this is an issue of freedom of speech and lack of tolerance, not religion.
If anyone feels anything on TASA to be offensive, it is recommended in the rules that they address it privately. It seems these rules do not apply to the hierarchy.

What also saddens me is that it seems another brilliant hobbyist, with ton's of experience will be lost to this forum, as has happened on others, due to petty narrow mindedness. Maybe someday soon, people will realise that in fact the hobby does not revolve around them.

 

Just looking through some of the other bits and pieces discussed "off topic", the avoidance and selectiveness amaze me. If one wanted to be petty, there are far more offensive things in the off topic chat than Tyrone's signature....have a read. Yet he has been targeted for his boldness in faith. What a pity. Funny also that the original thread was closed because "This is a website for discussions on fish - not religious topics." Yet in the same section we find jokes, stuff on Man United to mention a few. Is off topic chat not for exactly that purpose??? Perhaps only for some....

 

I take it Rattail is not a member here??

 

Ok well apparently everyone wants to discuss religion, politics, women and cars on this tropical aquarium forum.

Big G I was simply using that as an example to illustrate a point. I couldn't care less what anyones religion is on here.

Yes, this is a forum for tropical aquariums... There are literally hundreds of other places on the internet to go discuss those topics.

These threads were not started by anyone in the "hierachy", merely responded to. Would you rather they were ignored/deleted?
A message was sent in private to Tyrone to explain the situation.

 

I am not convinced that Tyrone's signature is offensive. thought it gave me a little insight into Tyrone's views on life as "he sees it" and in no-way felt threatened. Only people who feel threaten especially with regards to Freedom of speech/religion etc, act unilaterally and say they speak for all. These are normally small minded bigots like Mugabe and Hitler, not fish hobbyist surely.

Arent we are bigger than this? Everybody subconsciously or consciously punts their views/product. That is what makes us unique and different.

If something offends, it is also the "one who is offended" to deal with you as an indiv, and not speak or make blanket decisions on "our behalf", who are are tolerant and accepting of people who have different views. Blanket rules like this seems a gross Humans rights violation.
The last I heard, we still live in a democracy. Will we also be told as to what username WE MUST USE too?
This has unfortunately become a personally issue between Admin and Tyrone. A matter that should have been dealt with privately. The Freedom of Choice to OFFEND or NOT to OFFEND lies solely in the hands of Tyrone, who has graciously removed the signature anyway. Tyrone, bud you will get over it. Move on.

 

I have started a thread here:

Please knock yourselves out discussing religion:
http://www.tropicalaquarium.co.za/showthread.php?t=605

Tyrone's sig was not removed "graciously". Admin can change sigs.

 

Rory, are you not transgressing on the rules you so diligently compiled?? It says there " no discussing religion" or as I said before, can the hierarchy make new rules?
Tyrone's signature discussion is to do with freedom of speech, not so?

 

I am not convinced that Tyrone's signature is offensive. thought it gave me a little insight into Tyrone's views on life as "he sees it" and in no-way felt threatened. Only people who feel threaten especially with regards to Freedom of speech/religion etc, act unilaterally and say they speak for all. These are normally small minded bigots like Mugabe and Hitler, not fish hobbyist surely.

Arent we are bigger than this? Everybody subconsciously or consciously punts their views/product. That is what makes us unique and different.

If something offends, it is also the "one who is offended" to deal with you as an indiv, and not speak or make blanket decisions on "our behalf", who are are tolerant and accepting of people who have different views. Blanket rules like this seems a gross Humans rights violation.
The last I heard, we still live in a democracy. Will we also be told as to what username WE MUST USE too?
This has unfortunately become a personally issue between Admin and Tyrone. A matter that should have been dealt with privately. The Freedom of Choice to OFFEND or NOT to OFFEND lies solely in the hands of Tyrone, who has graciously removed the signature anyway. Tyrone, bud you will get over it. Move on.