How ridiculous is it to be offended because one bashes your "group"?

[mudesi]

What an insane world we live in.

People taking personal offense because others are "bashing" not them, in particular, but other people who happen to believe in the same nonsense as them. Take a minute to think about just how ridiculous that is.

I believe Lynyrd Skynyrd is one of the greatest bands on Earth. There are several hundred thousand -probably millions- of people who believe as I do. Imagine if a prominent Lynyrd Skynyrd fan was attacked on this board simply for being a Lynyrd Skynyrd fan, and I not only immediately leaped to his/her defense, but also took great offense at such bashing of that other person who happens to share my beliefs.

You people would think I'm out of my mind. After all, what does it have to do with me? Should I start a thread entitled "I'm tired of all the Skynyrd fan bashing here!", and state my case on why people shouldn't bash Lynyrd Skynyrd fans? I happen to be one, after all. Don't you dare attack my "people"!

I would be interested in studying the psychological aspects of human behavior that fosters such narcissistic group think.

[joshcryer]

1. Yeah, the group think here is quite amusing to me, too.

It's really just unbelievably remarkable. The attention span of the internet personality is so ridiculously short that I think if the internet went down, and I mean the global internet went down, for just one day, we'd all go mad.

[The Straight Story]

2. You mean like people bashing dems and such?

would you leap to the defense of fellow dems if a RW'er were to attack us here on DU?

[mudesi]

19. I would probably argue with him

But I wouldn't be personally offended.

[mmonk]

3. Psychologically vested perhaps?

[ret5hd]

4. I don't know if ANYTHING is worth debating with someone who claims...

Lynyrd Skynyrd is "one of the greatest bands on Earth".

[sniffa]

5. Answer: Deleted Message, Deleted Subthread, and Locking

Question: What are the probable results of this thread?

[Deep13]

6. Free Bird!!!!

[blues90]

7. I believe if one feels strongely enough in anyhting

Then when someone cames along and bashes it it doesn't matter . If you have to defend it then you are trying to change peoples minds to be as you are which is alot of crap . All it does allow is for the bashers to get everything all twisted out of shape .

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

8. Why do people say they're "group is being opressed..."

simply because they lost an argument?

[OKNancy]

9. Sort of... but there are taboos and good manners

Now, some people don't agree with cultural standards, but I do.
Although I'm not religious I rarely bash religion or religious people.
I say rarely because I have, on occasion bashed Scientologists.
I try very hard not to bash people for their looks or style of dress.
Obviously I never bash people for their race or ethnic background...big taboo.

I try to be civil and have good manners.

As far as bashing here. I don't like it. I think it lowers the quality of the conversation...lol except Republicans.

[Deep13]

28. sure, but manners can also be used for silencing dissent. nt

[TechBear_Seattle]

10. So I, as a gay man and an atheist....

Should NOT be offended at people who say I am unfit to be an American because of my unbelief, or should be murdered on sight because I somehow pose a threat to someone's children or marriage?

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

27. TB, I want to be offended right along with you

Our Jewish brothers and sisters can remind us what happens to a minority group if they don't speak out when they are bashed.

[fascisthunter]

11. So Much So That I'm Afraid People Want to Kill Me

If there has been any bashing it's been done in regards to ultra right wing ideologues or those trying to push their religious views on America which has already been decided as a no-no in our Constitution.

As for Christians in general... I was born one and from time to time go back to church for personal reasons. But christian bashing? Come on!

Why not accuse DU of stealing christmas trees too or converting straight children into gays. It's BS straight from the likes of O'Reilly and Pat Robertson... claim victimhood.

[msongs]

12. if somereligious group beats you up with baseball bats are you being oppressed? nt

[Cronus Protagonist]

13. Some awesome reading for you then...

The Denial of Death by Ernest Becker. Read that and you'll have your eyes wide open on this topic.

Click Here For Denail of Death at Amazon.com

Enjoy

[distantearlywarning]

14. I actually do study that very thing in my life outside of DU.

There is a group of psychologists who have coined a term for the idea that one's personal identity is strongly tied to one's group identity - surprise! it's called: "Social Identity Theory".

The more someone's identity is tied to some group identity, the more angry they're going to be when someone bashes it, because it DOES feel like someone is bashing them personally. It's not really narcissism, it's just something that almost everyone does to some extent or another, depending on personality and external factors. As a social species, this is just something we do.

Unfortunately, it's also a major factor contributing to pretty much every intergroup war that has been fought since the beginning of time ("Your band of primates sucks! No it doesn't, yours does! How dare you criticize ME...I mean...my band of primates like that! *bash* *bash* *bash*)

Anyway, I agree with you that it isn't rational, but nevertheless people do it. Just like people do a lot of other dumbass things. There probably isn't much anyone can do to stop them from doing it, other than point out that it's ridiculous and hope their good sense starts to override their natural tendencies a bit.

[hfojvt]

15. that's a clumsy and innacurate analogy

typical of somebody with the bad judgement of being a Skynyrd fan. They are all batsh*t crazy.

[Whisp]

16. purposely set up like cheering for your favourite sports team

not much depth, just 'we are number 1, rah rah rah'.
bread and circuses stuff while the real issues don't get much serious attention. as intended.

[sam sarrha]

17. it isnt necessarily just the bashing, but the psychotic bastard using it as a reason to fuck with

you.. it can escalate and attract other bat shit crazy types.. years ago during the intifada.. a pol l was taken that showed 64% of israeli police joined the force and volunteered to go to the territories specifically to be in a position to brutalize and terrorize Palestinians. over 800 children were shot and killed that year.. most shot in a small area if the side of the head, the only area that is fatal.

the whole Rwanda genocide was started by a radio dj bashing the Tutsi's, calling for violence.. one person can tip a bad situation into chaos.

it is the mind set and the tendency for it to become contagious.

it is ugly and un civilized,.. but not to be confused with the truth, dumping a load of truth isn't bashing. starting a thread on 'how big a bitch is hillery?' is ....

i get so disappointed some times.. i don't have the time for it anymore. so much more is so much more important than being a play ground bully.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

18. depends on your definition of "bashing"

seems to me that there are certain people in Louisiana who think it is perfectly ok to hang nooses in trees, and then don't understand why African Americans are offended by this. And then there's Huckabee saying that homosexuals are an abomination. Although not a member of either of these groups, I am offended when people bash these groups, and I don't think it is ridiculous.

[mudesi]

21. Race and sexual orientation are not beliefs, though

Those are things that people happen to be born with.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

26. Well, how about the Jewish kids who were assaulted in Manhattan

because they said "Happy Hanukkah" instead of "Merry Christmas" to a group? As I understand it, it is being handled as a hate crime.

Jewish folk will come together if one of their own is bashed (and I will join them), namely because of their history. But their group is one strictly of belief, not race or sexual orientation. However, they understand what can happen if they let bashing go by without a comment.

Edited to add: The OP was about "groups", not specific to people who share beliefs.

[baby_mouse]

20. Thatt depends on the group.

Sorry, that's probably not what you wanted to hear.

There's a difference between being discriminated against in terms of "bashing" and being discriminated against with the force of the law.

[Countdown_3_2_1]

22. Thats so Gay.

(said tongue in cheek. apologies to GLBT)
Bashing is a real thing. Lets not trivialize it.

[Mike03]

23. You are unable to understand the concept of Subtext.

That post, IMO, wasn't really about groups at all. It is about how badly this place has deteriorated, and how intolerant, ignorant and protoreactive many of the posters have become. At least that's my take on it. To make a second thread about it is just as dumb as anything.

No, in fact, it's dumber.

[Sugar Smack]

24. Well, I think there's a difference between "taste", "preference" and "nature"

I think taste describes a certain affinity you feel toward music, food, etc. Preference would maybe dictate who you choose as friends, or your job, politics and religion. Nature would be what nationality, or sexuality you are. These are three different kinds of groups.

[Mike03]

25. X Posted from the thread you are attacking. Thanks for this opportunity, Leonard!

A major reason I post here is because I'm not sure about my stances politically and want input and ideas from others.

But when I come here to ask questions, I'm immediately attacked or people suspect I have an agenda. My questions are met with suspicion, sarcasm, or just plain ignorance.

I used to come to DU to become educated more than to post opinions, and I still do, but it's become so unpleasant here that it's really... Eh... I don't even know how to express how bad I feel about how this place has become debased.

It's really depressing to me, because no matter how bad things were I could always come here. I would say, sometime after Fuck Head was re-elected, this place changed.

And I know I'm part of that trend, because I'm not the gentleman I used to be. I'm getting pissed and more pissed with each day, and having more and more trouble hiding that when I post here. I used to be very polite, but I'm starting not to give a shit anymore.

[Mike03]

29. Fantastically wise post

Do you think the collective IQ of DU has dropped more than forty points over the past few years?

Thanks in advance for your brilliant insight.

[DFW]

30. Go ahead and bash my group all you want

Just one request--before you get started, please tell
me what group I'm in?

[NeedleCast]

31. Has Little to Do with the Group being Bashed

but in how the bashing is done. would you agree that there is a difference between saying "I support stronger restrictions on fire arms" and "people who own guns have a mental illness?" It is the tone of those doing the bashing that offends. I have no problem with people who disagree with me. I do have a problem with people who think I am insane or beneath them because of the things I believe/support. Religion is one of those things that people are pretty comfortable attacking here. Same thing. It's the difference between "I'm an athiest and here's why" and "I'm an athiest and people who believe in God are ignorant fools." I don't think you have to jump very far to say that if one is part of a group and someone is bashing that group by saying "everyone who thinks (X) is an idiot" that they have every right to take it personally.

[NMMNG]

32. Please tell me you're not trying to equate someone's

favorite band, religious denomination, presidential candidate, literary taste, etc. with things like race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, etc.

[riverdeep]

33. Let me think on this.

I think people get into groupthink because there's a reality to it. Words are sometimes the precursor to deeds. If someone is saying hostile things about things you believe in directed at someone else, it's reasonable to assume the possibility that that individual/group might come after you next, since you might fit into the same category. It can start off with words, and then get into something worse. That's the motivation as far as I see it with the outside, physical world. To some degree, it's rational. A more evolved conflict resolution is the real problem.

As far as getting offended on here? I don't know. Some of the above surely still applies; even though we are ostensibly safe from physical repercussion, that instinct is still there. But there are places that are far, far worse. Some people phrase things in a way that seems purposefully designed to arouse ire, rather than honest discourse. You still have a choice in how you respond. I personally have a never hit 'post' when you're angry rule. Just wait ten minutes, if you still feel the same, then send it.

[uppityperson]

34. I believe in nonsense like 2 consenting adults should be able to get married.

I believe in nonsense like your sex, skin color, spiritual beliefs, nationality, language, clothing, shouldn't matter if you are a decent person.

So it is ridiculous if someone bashes the "group" that believes in these things?