Re: review: Anti-religious Mems in Races of the Dr

[stacer]

selling your soul more like it!

Watch it, SE. That wasn't very nice to say. At least *I'm* doing what I set out to do.

Besides, why fight about it, guys? There has to be something else to review.

[Fellfrosch]

Yes, I know your stupid logic behind it, because I read it. I'm the one who told you it made you sound like a lunatic, remember?

You know what? Forget it. You're fired. No more editor SE, no more mod privileges, just no more.

And Skar, you watch yourself. I'm in a bad mood.

[Mister M]

I admit that I haven't read the book, but come on. Don't you think that was a little over the top?

Does the article include text quoted from the book itself as evidence, or is it one of those things where you have to read an entire section (of the book) and then look for the common themes running throughout? For example, what exactly gives the impression of a Saul/Paul dichotomy, and what brings to mind that comparison instead of others?

[The Holy Saint, Grand High Poobah, Master of Monkeys, Ehlers]

Stacy, that hurts. THat really hurts.

And forget you Fell. You're not going to drive me off, but now you don't have anyone to do your work for you. See if I prod Jeffe to write his articles.

[Entsuropi]

Wasn't the google money designated for buying review material, to be sent to the most appropriate reviewer?

[Mister M]

The worship of Kurtulmak at times is described as satanic rites and at other times buddhist idolatry. It conflates satanism and buddhism, attempting to make both look like anti-intellectual fools.

Does it actually use the terms "buddhist" and "satanism"?

[Fellfrosch]

Yeah, like that's a big threat.

[The Holy Saint, Grand High Poobah, Master of Monkeys, Ehlers]

little examples seem just incidental. and if it were simply that, I probably would have left it alone. But when those examples repeat frequently, and reveal a common theme, you have to stand up and take notice.

The comparison of Saul is quite clear, the crusade against gnomes (degraded sorcery -- which implies dragon descent), the strict lifestyle, the visionary experience from the "good" deity (Bahamut), and then that's where it parts.

It's not just kobolds either. Most of the dragon gods section is seeded with anti-christian and anti-religious ideas, the least of which is trusting in a deity as capricious as any dragon would be.

[Spriggan]

Wow, look what happens when I got get haircuts?

SE, when you asked me to read this the other day I told you there was no way that Fell would let you post it.

I still think firing SE was a little knee-jerk though Fell.  Couldn't we just have a public flogging instead and keep the guy who actually posts articles?

[Spriggan]

Wasn't the google money designated for buying review material, to be sent to the most appropriate reviewer?

Not sure yet, no review materials have been bought with said Google money.

[Spriggan]

Does it actually use the terms "buddhist" and "satanism"?

yep.

edit:  sorry, I ment to say SE's article did but the book didn't.

[Mad Dr Jeffe]

Im sure Im going to be attacked because Im a friend of Eric, but this is a little out of line don't you think. Both of you have been incredibly personal in your attacks and thats not even a little bit cool. Especially given how much work you two have put into the site.

I mean we ask people to write interesting and different reviews. The question we should be asking is who if anyone this would offend. Id like to think most people here could read a review without freaking out. At least something controversial would spawn some discussion.

So whats the stumbling block? Fell is it a question of just poor research? What is it you dont like? Also why is a fundimentalist approach bad per se? What could Saint do to improve it?

Saint? Is there the chance that something you wrote was offensive? If so, could you tone that down, or barring that support it to such a degree that you dont offend. Attacking Fell over money wont make it better. (Though I do understand your frustration, Im tired of buying books to review with my money, it hurts the quality of my reviews, because Im less likely to buy stuff I wouldnt normally play, heck I miss getting free stuff)

Fell, I hate to weigh in on the topic (E being my friend and all) but I feel like posting parts of an article out of context isnt fair. Also airing private baggage in public isnt a good way to calm anyone down.

E, this may piss you off but your being kind of confrontational, take a deep breath for me buddy and try to relax OK. This doesnt have to be resolved in a mean way.

/me sits back and waits for the attacks

[Mad Dr Jeffe]

Firing Eric was pretty premature since he seems to be one of the few mods who does post things. He also works his butt off for the site.

If you guys are in a bad mood, get out of each others faces for now.

[Spriggan]

Listen guys.  This has been going on for a while now.  SE has been getting quite crazy in his reviews as of late, and I know he won't be happy about me saying this but do you all know why there hasn't been an article from him in over a month?  It's because Fell hasn't let him post anything due to all this ranting and raving crap.  You should have read the last page #33 that SE wrote about how if Superman, who in SE"s argument is a symbol of Christ, isn't your favorite superhero then you should burn in hell.  That's when Fell axed the article series.

[Fellfrosch]

It's certainly not due to a lack of research, Jeffe, just grossly misguided research. Paranoid conspiracy websites are simply not a good place to go for reasoned, rational thought, especially if you're trying to prove something as preposterous as this.

There's also a strong element of just plain bad writing:

As mentioned above, I can't help but conclude from this vast array of evidence that Wizards of the Coast is not only anti-Christian, but anti-religious and anti-human. Sure, bow down to your lizard overlords! See if I care! When the great day comes and the saurians are cleansed from the bowels of the Earth, then we'll see who's laughing! Angels, that's who. Also, screw Brian Michael Bendis.

I agree with you, Jeffe, that bringing these quotes out of context is not the ideal situation, but I want to keep as much of it hidden as I can. It's just not worth comprimising the good name of TWG.