Friend or Foe

[SOP]

As someone on the forum did actually use the facility then I vote for it to be reinstated.

This forum is not actually changing the world, it is an internet forum so to accuse anyone of being childish because they pick and choose which threads they read/participate in is yet another example of the unkindness sometimes displayed on this forum.

Admin, can you reinstate please?

[NorthernTenor]

As someone on the forum did actually use the facility then I vote for it to be reinstated.

This forum is not actually changing the world, it is an internet forum so to accuse anyone of being childish because they pick and choose which threads they read/participate in is yet another example of the unkindness sometimes displayed on this forum.

Admin, can you reinstate please?

As you point out, it isn't helpful to label behaviour childish. It is, however, fair comment to suggest that deliberately blocking the views on liturgy - the subject matter of this discussion board - of those with whom one disagrees doesn't speak strongly of a willingness to engage in dispassionate and reasoned debate. I won't comment on Nick's justification by analogy with politics, as they have nothing to do with this board.

[Nick Baty]

deliberately blocking the views on liturgy... of those with whom one disagrees doesn't speak strongly of a willingness to engage in dispassionate and reasoned debate.

The Friend/For option doesn't block someone's views – it simply warns the reader of what might be ahead.

[SOP]

Yet more petty bickering.

I don't read some posts by certain posters because I know they are either going to be far over my head or I hold them low in my esteem because of the rudeness of previous posts.

It is my choice to come on this board, my choice to read or not to read some topics, my choice to ignore certain posters if I wish.

[NorthernTenor]

The Friend/Foe option doesn't block someone's views – it simply warns the reader of what might be ahead.

Nick, as I understand it, identifying someone as a foe means their comments are not ordinarily visible, unless one chooses otherwise. I think that's an odd starting-point for those who wish to engage in dispassionate and reasoned debate. Just as I think that bad drivers are other people, so I believe that others sometimes have the wrong end of the liuturgical and musical stick. As a member of the same Church in the same country, however, I try to pay attention to what they have to say.

[Nick Baty]

Marking someone as Foe means they don't share the same values. You might or might not agree with one's right to read selectively, but unless admin changes his mind, this is a sterile argument which might as well cease.

[NorthernTenor]

Yet more petty bickering.

I think this no more helpful than accusations of childishness, SOP. It is possible to disagree with others without it being petty or a form of bickering. Dispassionate and reasoned debate would not otherwise be possible.

[musicus]

On reflection, I will start a new thread with a poll, so we can see what people want.