A modest proposal

I suggest we avoid at all costs the toxic nature of what continued to go on in r/t. I hope none of us want that. Even so I propose that we continue to have the points of view expressed both by believers and non-believers as legitimate. If I have been party to what some feel unsupported criticisms of atheism, I apologize and repent. (is that a religious word?)

While there is room for serious disagreement, can we eliminate all posts or threads that attempt to demean someone else's belief or non-belief? Serious questions are acceptable, but posts whose intention is to belittle, put down, judge another's belief or non-belief would be out of bounds.

That way we can have a spirited discussion across all kinds of intellectual barriers without falling into the sad old game or trying to prove someone stupid, silly or worse.

Unacceptable would be material from the Internet that put down, ridicule or provide lurid examples of the worst of atheism or belief. "Look how stupid atheism is" or,"here is another example of how evil or stupid believers are," would be unacceptable.

I think it would be dull to engage in a forum whose members were just those who held to the same general point of view. Where is the dialectic, the growth or the interest in that? I thrive on serious debate, but the attempt to dismantle someone's point of view with sarcasm, or other destructive materials or language does not move us forward. I promise to do my best, and if I am out of bounds to be called out for it. But we have the opportunity for a whole new civility with the possibility we all might learn something.

what think ye?