"No Politics"

If it were not possible for us to change things, the level of propaganda and draconian edicts against the citizenry of the western world that we've experienced these past few years, would not be necessary. 

We're in the middle of a paradigm shift.

After a few decades of increasingly left-leaning cultural subversion, it's now considered rebellious to be on the Right on the political spectrum. Conservatism is becoming the new punk.

The Left have become the hall-monitor, censor-happy, ultra-depraved boot on the face of society. Agitated into motion by their benefactors - globalist oligarchs who are trying to establish a one-world government. 

These oligarchs do not subscribe to the tenets of things like socialism or communism. These are simply methods of control designed to break the minds and the will of a given population. 

They will ultimately fail due to the very paradigm shift I mentioned above. They'll have to try again in a few decades, as has been the pattern.

Dustofyears wrote:who wants to waste time talking about old men. Who wants to waste time talking about things they can never change. I'd rather talk abut stuff I like or is worthy of my time. Not old guys that all suck or careless about anyone thing else except their ego and bank accounts and casue nothing but division. I'd rather be completely oblivious to what goes on in the world of politics, knowing about it does zero for anyone and you can't change it

This of course is nonsense, a bury your head in the sand approach.

Pro-Zak wrote:

Dustofyears wrote:who wants to waste time talking about old men. Who wants to waste time talking about things they can never change. I'd rather talk abut stuff I like or is worthy of my time. Not old guys that all suck or careless about anyone thing else except their ego and bank accounts and casue nothing but division. I'd rather be completely oblivious to what goes on in the world of politics, knowing about it does zero for anyone and you can't change it

This of course is nonsense, a bury your head in the sand approach.

Hear, hear! 

In fact, that attitude is EXACTLY why we're in the boat we're in now.

That attitude is EXACTLY how all the horrible boats come to be: Auschwitz, Khmer Rouge, Stalin, Mao, current N.Korea.

That attitude is the WORST possible attitude to have.

The irony is,  the people with that attitude pop their heads up at the very end when all is lost, asking "How did it come to this?"

I can't blame him too much, I used to think that way. It's the idea of "This is not our home, our citizenship is in Heaven", so who cares what happens here? Well we should, and if we don't start caring enough to act, we may find ourselves in a totalitarian society...

MagnusPrime wrote:They will ultimately fail due to the very paradigm shift I mentioned above. They'll have to try again in a few decades, as has been the pattern.

I agreed with everything you said until this last sentence.  I don't know, they seem well on their way this time to accomplishing their evil goals soon.  And even if they fail this next go-round, I don't believe it will take decades for them to try again.   The problem is not so much them as it is the populace.  The people advancing the evil are single-minded, strong and determined, but that is not the only reason they keep gaining ground.  They win also because the majority of people in the country are too apathetic, too asleep, too busy, too distracted, too deceived, or too lukewarm.   Or too afraid - either cowed into submission or willing to go along because the evil seems to prosper.

Many Christians even refuse to vote, saying it's "worldly affairs."  Still others support the Left's agenda.  There are (supposed) pastors in my city who are supporting and posting bail for the new wave of migrant criminals.  This cabal of elites has succeeded in blurring the lines between good and evil, to the point that even many in the church are deceived.  If ever there was a time to speak the truths of God into a rotting culture that has lost it's way, this is it.

The world is waking up. Faster than I would have thought 8-9 years ago.

Things are just chaotic right now. Fog of war and all that.

The people and various groups behind this current societal crisis have made lots of mistakes in their haste to catch up on their plans.

Orange Man's election really screwed up their time table, as well as resulted in people actually paying attention to politics again. 

Another mistake was the lockdowns. People noticed what their kids were "learning" at school due to all the remote classes taking place at the time. They made a huge mistake coming after the kids in such a blatant manner.

The lack of competency and the sheer amount of ineptitude - in just about every conceivable facet of life - has been another eye-opener. Woke initiatives are destroying our industries and institutions. 

We've overdosed on DEI. Truth is the Narcan. Sunlight is the best disinfectant. Their sloppiness at playing whac-a-mole with the growing number of dissenting voices is exposing them. You'll see.

They can't put the toothpaste back in the tube. At least fast enough to not make more of a mess and have more people notice them.

Dustofyears wrote:who wants to waste time talking about old men. Who wants to waste time talking about things they can never change. I'd rather talk abut stuff I like or is worthy of my time. Not old guys that all suck or careless about anyone thing else except their ego and bank accounts and casue nothing but division. I'd rather be completely oblivious to what goes on in the world of politics, knowing about it does zero for anyone and you can't change it.

Political debates doesn't have to mean politician debates. It can be idealogical too.

Per the original question, maybe Karam can chime in since I believe it was him who put the no-politics rule into motion.  But yeah, we had some troublesome users who were trying to make this place the "Political Realm" and that rule was added in attempt to keep this forum primarily for Christian metal.  I don't mind some political discussions here and there, so that rule rarely gets enforced anyways. 

As an old member, I've seen it get nasty and it just doesn't really benefit the site in the long run.

Again - no one is forced to participate in any given thread. As long as we're keeping it civil, and no one is making 100 political topics a day, I don't see why we can't have these discussions and even friendly debates. We have theological debates all the time, yet we still have a theology section.

It gets out of hand? Someone is becoming a big problem? Ban them. Don't punish everyone else.

It's no different from when trolls come on here to intentionally start trouble in other parts of the Realm.



Just my two cents.

StevenCressler wrote:

TZ75 wrote:Let’s be real…

Many of us are itching to talk politics, but unfortunately there are some that don’t play nice and will break the rules. 

Unless we can strive to take the “high road” when it gets heated, the only other thing would be to start suspending or banning individuals that get out of control.

Tbh I don't see much of that rule being followed anyway... I follow it as far as not starting political discussions, but once one is started I gladly join in

Kinda like a shark feeding frenzy. 

Once blood is detected in the water, it’s on!

I'd like to have political topics here.  Put them in their own section if they bother some people.

Otherwise our choices are the 50,000th or 50,001th Metallica or Theocracy thread (or some other thrash band).  Or it's Stryper or Megadeth or Petra.   We can post other topics but they don't get nearly the same traction.  At least politics - and their intersection with faith and Biblical prophecy - is very relevant to our life on earth.   Music may be a good escape for awhile but it's all going to vanish like smoke in the end.

Constantine wrote:I'd like to have political topics here.  Put them in their own section if they bother some people.

Otherwise our choices are the 50,000th or 50,001th Metallica or Theocracy thread (or some other thrash band).  Or it's Stryper or Megadeth or Petra.   We can post other topics but they don't get nearly the same traction.  At least politics - and their intersection with faith and Biblical prophecy - is very relevant to our life on earth.   Music may be a good escape for awhile but it's all going to vanish like smoke in the end.

I agree with what you're saying but I hate the term "escape in this situation". It makes it feel like any form of entertainment has no real purpose other than distraction, when entertainment with depth can add a lot of value to your life, more than just distracting you from stuff that sucks.

Constantine wrote:I'd like to have political topics here.  Put them in their own section if they bother some people.

Otherwise our choices are the 50,000th or 50,001th Metallica or Theocracy thread (or some other thrash band).  Or it's Stryper or Megadeth or Petra.   We can post other topics but they don't get nearly the same traction.  At least politics - and their intersection with faith and Biblical prophecy - is very relevant to our life on earth.   Music may be a good escape for awhile but it's all going to vanish like smoke in the end.

Yes, but I at least want to see one thread about Stryper's politics viewed through the lens of Metallica lyrics, and how Theocracy album covers reflect the outcome of a Megadeth vs Petra poll.

Constantine wrote:I'd like to have political topics here.  Put them in their own section if they bother some people.

Otherwise our choices are the 50,000th or 50,001th Metallica or Theocracy thread (or some other thrash band).  Or it's Stryper or Megadeth or Petra.   We can post other topics but they don't get nearly the same traction.  At least politics - and their intersection with faith and Biblical prophecy - is very relevant to our life on earth.   Music may be a good escape for awhile but it's all going to vanish like smoke in the end.

Music will remain for eternity as we praise God in the new heavens and the new earth. Now not every album we have will remain, but music itself will.

The only politics that will remain in eternity are that Jesus reigns forever and we reign with him. Our modern political parties will vanish as the dust.

EDIT: thanks for clarifying below, Constantine. I get what you were saying.

StevenCressler wrote:

I agree with what you're saying but I hate the term "escape in this situation". It makes it feel like any form of entertainment has no real purpose other than distraction, when entertainment with depth can add a lot of value to your life, more than just distracting you from stuff that sucks.

I agree with you, music is not just about escape.  The reason I use the term is because every social media group I've ever been in where the focus is music and there is a "no politics" rule uses the same reasoning.   They usually say something along the lines of "This group is about music only because it provides an escape from the stressful stuff in our daily lives."  I don't know if that is any of the reasoning here, but I see that sentiment - or some form of it - stated a lot.

Constantine wrote:

StevenCressler wrote:

I agree with what you're saying but I hate the term "escape in this situation". It makes it feel like any form of entertainment has no real purpose other than distraction, when entertainment with depth can add a lot of value to your life, more than just distracting you from stuff that sucks.

I agree with you, music is not just about escape.  The reason I use the term is because every social media group I've ever been in where the focus is music and there is a "no politics" rule uses the same reasoning.   They usually say something along the lines of "This group is about music only because it provides an escape from the stressful stuff in our daily lives."  I don't know if that is any of the reasoning here, but I see that sentiment - or some form of it - stated a lot.

When you put it that way it makes sense. I see what you’re saying.

Pethead wrote:

Music will remain for eternity as we praise God in the new heavens and the new earth. Now not every album we have will remain, but music itself will.

We don't know what music will be like in heaven, but yes we will still have music.  But the albums we listen to down here - especially the ones that do not honor God - will disappear like a wisp of dust.   There is even some Scriptural support for that in Rev 18:22.  There will be new music in heaven, and I'm sure it will be glorious.  And no more Metallica, thank God.

Constantine wrote:

Pethead wrote:

Music will remain for eternity as we praise God in the new heavens and the new earth. Now not every album we have will remain, but music itself will.

We don't know what music will be like in heaven.  But I can guarantee you that the albums we listen to down here - especially the ones that do not honor God - will disappear like wisp of dust.   There is even Scriptural support for that in Rev 18:22.  There will be new music in heaven, and I'm sure it will be glorious.  And no more Metallica, thank God. 

Sure, but there also won’t be any more GOP or democratic party, either.

Pethead wrote:
Sure, but there also won’t be any more GOP or democratic party, either.

Thank God for that too!  Good riddance to bad rubbish.

I do find it challenging to navigate and discuss the world's goings-on though.  It stretches my faith in different ways, ways that music does not.

MagnusPrime wrote:The world is waking up. Faster than I would have thought 8-9 years ago.

Things are just chaotic right now. Fog of war and all that.

The people and various groups behind this current societal crisis have made lots of mistakes in their haste to catch up on their plans.

Orange Man's election really screwed up their time table, as well as resulted in people actually paying attention to politics again. 

Another mistake was the lockdowns. People noticed what their kids were "learning" at school due to all the remote classes taking place at the time. They made a huge mistake coming after the kids in such a blatant manner.

The lack of competency and the sheer amount of ineptitude - in just about every conceivable facet of life - has been another eye-opener. Woke initiatives are destroying our industries and institutions. 

We've overdosed on DEI. Truth is the Narcan. Sunlight is the best disinfectant. Their sloppiness at playing whac-a-mole with the growing number of dissenting voices is exposing them. You'll see.

They can't put the toothpaste back in the tube. At least fast enough to not make more of a mess and have more people notice them.

Every single word of this is spot-on. 

I'm actually very hopeful as I'm seeing a light at the end of this.

Constantine wrote:

StevenCressler wrote:

I agree with what you're saying but I hate the term "escape in this situation". It makes it feel like any form of entertainment has no real purpose other than distraction, when entertainment with depth can add a lot of value to your life, more than just distracting you from stuff that sucks.

I agree with you, music is not just about escape.  The reason I use the term is because every social media group I've ever been in where the focus is music and there is a "no politics" rule uses the same reasoning.   They usually say something along the lines of "This group is about music only because it provides an escape from the stressful stuff in our daily lives."  I don't know if that is any of the reasoning here, but I see that sentiment - or some form of it - stated a lot.

Yeah, that makes sense. I get what you're saying. Which brings up the point Magnus made about how you choose which threads you join, so people using it as an escape aren't interrupted by the stuff they're escaping from.

Constantine wrote:

Pethead wrote:
Sure, but there also won’t be any more GOP or democratic party, either.

Thank God for that too!  Good riddance to bad rubbish.

I do find it challenging to navigate and discuss the world's goings-on though.  It stretches my faith in different ways, ways that music does not.

Preach it, brother! Jesus reigns!

Just reading the newspaper throws all sorts of quandaries at the believer to sort through. 
 
(Btw, I apologize if it came across like I was criticizing you earlier.)

MagnusPrime wrote:

Constantine wrote:I'd like to have political topics here.  Put them in their own section if they bother some people.

Otherwise our choices are the 50,000th or 50,001th Metallica or Theocracy thread (or some other thrash band).  Or it's Stryper or Megadeth or Petra.   We can post other topics but they don't get nearly the same traction.  At least politics - and their intersection with faith and Biblical prophecy - is very relevant to our life on earth.   Music may be a good escape for awhile but it's all going to vanish like smoke in the end.

Yes, but I at least want to see one thread about Stryper's politics viewed through the lens of Metallica lyrics, and how Theocracy album covers reflect the outcome of a Megadeth vs Petra poll.

DALE THOMPSON

scottmitchell74 wrote:

MagnusPrime wrote:The world is waking up. Faster than I would have thought 8-9 years ago.

Things are just chaotic right now. Fog of war and all that.

The people and various groups behind this current societal crisis have made lots of mistakes in their haste to catch up on their plans.

Orange Man's election really screwed up their time table, as well as resulted in people actually paying attention to politics again. 

Another mistake was the lockdowns. People noticed what their kids were "learning" at school due to all the remote classes taking place at the time. They made a huge mistake coming after the kids in such a blatant manner.

The lack of competency and the sheer amount of ineptitude - in just about every conceivable facet of life - has been another eye-opener. Woke initiatives are destroying our industries and institutions. 

We've overdosed on DEI. Truth is the Narcan. Sunlight is the best disinfectant. Their sloppiness at playing whac-a-mole with the growing number of dissenting voices is exposing them. You'll see.

They can't put the toothpaste back in the tube. At least fast enough to not make more of a mess and have more people notice them.

Every single word of this is spot-on. 

I'm actually very hopeful as I'm seeing a light at the end of this.

We’re actually seeing a cultural movement of people who are in no way believers, but are seeing some of the insanity of modern progressivism. That’s encouraging, especially since we know God works through unbelievers.