Can't help but notice (neither can the other skeptics) that you guys all favor the argument of the irrational, child minded "believers"; of course this makes total sense because this website is geared toward the "paranormal" crowd and without them you would lose 98% of your visitors. But, if you ever want this website taken seriously by adults you should stop banning/suspending skeptics every time they ask the believers for evidence....so why not start a "Skeptics" section in the Forum? Believer do not have to enter, and skeptics, or as I call them "logically thinking adults" will have a place to ask adult like questions without being banned....

What do you think Mods?

Skeptic section would be nice.

That's a good idea. But isn't there enough sections on the board? ^^

The staff of this site does not favour one side to another.
I fail to see the point of a Skeptic section because well, without believers what exactly would Skeptics have to debate? It would be a very boring section.
'What do you think of this picture?'
'It's fake!'
"Right!'
/end discussion.

All areas are open to both siders of arguments equally as it is.

I'm not quite sure why anyone would form that opinion as the moderating and admin team is made up of both believers and skeptics ..... in fact truth be told I think there may be more skeptics amongst us than not.




No one is ever banned simply for asking for evidence, providing evidence for any claim is in fact encouraged. What we do not tolerate are skeptics who make fun those who believe in certain things be it ghosts, Bigfoot or God ......... same applies for believers who make fun of those who do not believe.




I'll leave that for Saruman to answer as only he can add new sections to the forum but personally I'm not sure there would be any need for such a forum. Skeptics are more than welcome to ask any "adult like" questions within the existing forums ......surely a one sided thread is not going to be very interesting to read?

Just my tuppence worth.

I consider myself to be a skeptic, and I've pointed out flaws in a gfreat many silly "theories" posted on this board, yet I've never been "banned or suspended."

Does this mean I'm not skeptical enough or something?

Harte

^^^^^
I think maybe that the reason why some sceptics get banned or suspended is because of remarks like this. Or because some of those sceptics that have been suspended or banned have been suspended or banned because of opening threads to blatantly bully or make fun of believers. Don't get me wrong I know some believers can be just as bad and some of the stuff that crops up can make you want to bash you're head against a wall.

I find your assesment here to be wrong. The tide here at UM is mostly moving along the thoughts of the skeptics.

. Correct. I agree with Burnside. Skeptics are free to ask questions in the forums already presented, why create a forum just for skeptics when all it will be is agreeing and no logical discussion.

That is fantastic then.

I think the reason for this topic is because Colbert was recently disallowed access to the UFO section of the forum after starting several threads there containing known hoaxed photographs and videos so that you could, in your own words, have a "good laugh" at anyone who tried to argue that they were genuine. You also claimed on more than one occasion that people who believe in UFOs are "mentally ill" and went as far as to offer links to a mental health web site in a related discussion. Even now you are referring to people with an opposing viewpoint to your own as "irrational" and "child-minded".

Nobody has ever been suspended from this web site for being a skeptic, it's the behaviour outlined above that we object to. If this is your idea of being a "skeptic" then I'm afraid I can't agree to dedicate an entire forum section to promoting this kind of attitude, it is about as far as you can get from the behaviour of "logically thinking adults".

i personally think that they should have a section for video's, pics of things that have been proven a hoax/fake

I recently seen Colbert on a magazine cover. Who is Colbert anyway in real life?

edit:Oh ok. I googled for the answer.

Have you seen the videos the "believers" post in the UFO section? The are laughable as well...yet...no suspensions...just the suspension of the skeptic...say what you will, you this site favors the "believer" point of view...click on the "main page" link and see if there are any articles there attempting to "debunk" ridiculous theories...nope, just promoting them.



Actually I posted material from institutes who treat the mentally ill that stated people who see UFOs and claim to be abducted are suffering from psychological issues...as far as me referring to believers as "irrational" and "child-minded", believers call us skeptics "close-minded" and "morons" for not seeing the "truth", yet they don't be banned....now tell me who's side the Mods are on...

So what if they're laughable? They are not ridiculing anyone or, in nearly all cases saying "If anyone doesn't believe this you are mentally ill and childlike!" Those who post such things open themselves up for retort, but not ridicule, which you seem to do a lot. Which is why the reason some skeptics are banned, it is the BEHAVIOUR of mockery.

You've obviously never seen any of the videos I posted, I never even posted a message to go along with the video, I just sat back and watched the "believers" make fools of themselves, it was other people who stepped in and said I was only posting them to make fun of believers...

Other people post video links because they want others to look at them and see what they think out of genuine interest. You post them to antagonise and belittle the people who respond, there is a difference.

If you browse through the news article history I think you'll find plenty of articles 'debunking' theories.

There are rude people on both sides, both skeptics and believers, fortunately however there are very few in all who resort to name calling in an effort to put their point across. Those who do it persistantly are dealt with accordingly, as in this case. What anyone else may or may not have said is handled on an individual basis. Because someone at one point called you a 'moron' it doesn't excuse your own actions in the here and now.

We have our fair share of people who believe in certain things and our share of people who do not, we don't try to tell people what they should or should not believe, at the end of the day that's up to them. What creates a problem is when someone presumes to dictate what is or is not the 'correct' thing to believe, that any other view or opinion is wrong. I would say that I am personally biased against close-mindedness, I like to keep an open mind, and that is what this site is about; we are neither for or against skeptics or believers but always sitting on the edge between the two. It is the principle on which this site is based.

As such and again relating to the original question, a skeptics only section would never work as a place for productive discussion. Skeptics rely on believers and vice versa, they are not mutually exclusive, and one cannot work without the other if you hope to produce a constructive discussion.



Actually this quote from one of the threads you posted suggests otherwise:

Whether or not this was your intention i'm sure you can appreciate how this comment comes across.

ya know buddy, e'er since i saw your first post here, I've been weary of you....guess my instincts were right.

I like him. Capitalization helps by the way.We are not sending text messages here.

Thanks for "De-railing" the topic at hand...which is will you start a skeptic section...not a talk about "Colbert Nation" thread....

With all due respect, this topic was never anything more than an excuse for you to make a public complaint about my decision to bar your access to the UFO board.

Your original query regarding a skeptics only forum has been addressed, if you wish to discuss this issue further then please contact me via PM.