[HPforGrownups] "Unspeakable" Subjects

[Neil Ward]

No: HPFGUIDX 9973

I wrote:

"Firstly, politics have been declared absolutely off-limits, because we want
to avoid the sort of heated arguments that developed here during the US
elections, and a few recent political remarks have caused offence to some
members."

Elizabeth said:

>>> Muggle politics (and religion) are also off topic, are they not?

Politics isn't always OT, but members' expression of their political views
has the potential to cause offence if other persuasions appear to be under
attack, even if it is in the name of satire.  All we ask is that people
avoid making (Muggle) political comments that could offend someone who does
not share their views.  It has to be a ban, though, because 'acceptable'
remarks could so easily spawn 'unacceptable' threads.

As for religion, I hope everyone will continue to show respect for the
diversity of beliefs represented here when making references to religion.

>>> Are we still allowed to discuss wizard politics?

IMO, if you want to discuss, objectively, the structure of the wizard
government or the lack of party politics in the wizarding world, I can't see
that causing offence.   Perhaps the other Moderators could say how they feel
on that.

***

In general, please observe the following, taken from our Netiquette
message:-

"**Be considerate of other members' feelings:  If you disagree with
someone's message, no matters how strongly, remember to respect the other
person's right to his or her own opinion. If you do wish to refute the post,
do so gently, by building up your own case, rather than knocking down the
other person's. And never attack your fellow club members (name calling,
personal remarks, etc)."

Thanks!

Neil
Moderator Team
_____________________________________

Flying-Ford-Anglia

"Ron, full of turkey and cake and with nothing
mysterious to bother him, fell asleep almost
as soon as he'd drawn the curtains of his
four-poster."

[Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone]