First, we are not talking about disagreements, debates, even arguments. I doubt anyone here wants an echo chamber. That provides for a boring board. I also doubt anyone comes here expecting nothing but lollypops, rainbows and roses.

We are also not talking about being completely intolerant, not recognizing that we are all human, that all of us will at times slip up and forget our manners and have our moments.

No one said that religion should not be discussed here, or that certain religions and/or beliefs should not be discussed here. This is a religion and ethics board.

The objection is not the topic, or whether or not posters should be able to disagree with one another, the objection is the manner of approach.

We are discussing repeated and unwanted proselytizing. That is not the simple sharing or exploring of ideas. It is not disagreement and debate per say.

What you are suggesting is that only the reader bears responsibility (and should behave like an adult) because the reader has the option to read or not read, respond or not respond, or just move on - that the writer bears no responsibility for the content of their post or their posting behavior here. That's completely lopsided.

You would not appreciate it if I were to post to you: "I am right, you're wrong and you know it. You are being deliberately ignorant, are denying what you know to be the truth. . . . you should be thinking and believing what I do because I am right and you are wrong", and then finish it up with, "You deserve to be judged for your beliefs, and will be - you'll find out in the end." And then, repeatedly post it - over and over and over again (in various forms).

You, the reader, can by-pass my post. Does that mean that I therefore can post and say anything I want and do it repeatedly? Of course not.

I am responsible for how I respond and you are responsible for what you post and visa-versa. We all have the right to expect a certain level of civility. I have seen posters follow other posters around here, even to the extend of harassing and borderline stalking. I have seen insults, vulgarity, obnoxiousness. (Yea, I know - there are those that get their jollies by being an AH.)

This board will be what we make it. If I don't offer civility to those I disagree with, I have no right to ask for it.

Proselytizing, by its very nature, is not designed to be respectful of different beliefs. Its purpose is to convert. It proceeds from the position "I'm right, you who differ are wrong." It does not take the position, "Well I may be wrong" - if that was the case, why one Earth would one be proselytizing to begin with?

Faith/religion - it's belief. You have the right to believe as you wish - how about respecting other's right to do the same?