Do you ever feel intimidated?

No, not a put down, just factual. The only time I have ever been critical of an individual poster was when I thought somebody's idea of 'banter' was inappropriate on a thread about tragic events. If I did think someone had said something unfair and offensive, I would challenge them immediately and I would like people to do the same to me, preferably on the open forum, but at least in a pm. I might want to apologise or explain myself in different terms. Even mass murderers are told the charges against them and given the chance to defend themselves!
I am not going to apologise for stating that I am an atheist and that I am opposed to certain teachings of some religions which I consider pernicious. Some people insist on seeing this as hostility towards individual members, no matter how often I say that this is not the case. Sometimes I feel they are wilfully failing to take my point.

Should anyone have to apologise for being strong, confident or articulate? I have never thought of them as character faults. If I choose to take part in debates on controversial subjects, I expect my views to be challenged but I don't then claim that I am being bullied.

Bravely said, absent. I've been wanting to say that for a while.
BTW, I keep typing absnet. You won't mind if I don't correct it every time, will you?

I should like to point out – at the risk of a lot of flak – that some posters delight in being victims, moaning, whining and complaining about being intimidated or, even more irritatingly, complaining,, as a self-appointed spokesman, about other people being intimidated. They also burble on about personal abuse when there has been no such thing and are awfully good at the Tony Blair defence (defending themselves or others against an accusation that has never been made). Not you Nanadogsody.

They know who they are; I know who they are (even when they have changed their names). It is just so incredibly predictable and massively boring. It's not a "back off" emoticon that is needed but a "get a life" emoticon.

That was to greatnan

Was that last post supposed to be helpful? If you read carefully what you have written you will see it is a put down. No one has asked anyone to refute anything as far as I can see. Let that one rest.

joan, I think you might find the book I flagged up in the Politics forum interesting. There's a link to a short video by the author.

In answer to the question in this thread -I rarely feel intimidated and love a good debate. I'm a leftie atheist, so I just can't help myself from challenging religiosity and the right wing - I think it is in my genetic make up. I was brought up in a political and argumentative family, so a good debate is totally non-threatening to me, and the more diverse the opinions expressed, the better. I certainly never mean to intimidate anyone when I challenge something that has been written. I make the (possibly false) assumption that everyone will enjoy the debate.

Anyway, if I've upset anyone I apologise: I certainly never mean to.

We have been here before. I see no point in trying to refute vague allegations without direct reference to the actual posts or posters who have caused offence.

Agree with last para in particular

This thread has proved that nanad isn't the only one who sometimes feels intimidated it is a bit unfair to name her as the person who is not particularly happy with the attitude of some posters.

Generally, everyone is really kind and thoughtful, allowing others to have their own view and I have felt really supported when I have been in need of it, but I definitely feel that there are some posters who think theirs is the only view permissible and that they try to put down people who don't agree with them.

Please do! I also ended up with a bag of sweet potatoes which I didn't order and hate!
Perhaps angel next door might like them!

Going on a beef hunt, jeni? I have a vision of you armed with Bags's bow and arrows...
Unlike Waitrose to be so disobliging. I shall mention it to my contacts!

I hate cooking, too. I feel your pain....

bags only just read your post!
I find knitting very confrontational! I hate it and can't do it.
The same with cooking and I've got this Dutch lady coming tomorrow who I have to cook for til Wednesday!
I'm not happy!!!
Domestic goddess I'm not!
And the last straw is that waitrose said the joint I ordered was out of stock and didn't send a substitute so I've got to go on a beef hunt tomorrow and at the same time stay in for a signed for delivery!
PLEASE PEOPLE GET THIS

I AM NOT A HAPPY BUNNY

Greatnan have you managed to get that gaffer tape off yet?

Sorry for opening that one up, I knew it was probably a mistake. I think I stepped into the minefield there - in trying to help with one problem I have now created another.

Let's just say that in the hundreds and thousands of posts that go on there are bound to be some where we upset each other, that are misinterpreted or whatever, and need to be left behind.

What worries me about this thread is that probably some posters are speculating about whom nanad feels intimidated by; and some are still wondering if somehow or other they might have been responsible. This cannot be healthy.

Greatnan I'm getting quite worried about you now

I admit I over-reacted to bags post and she didn't understand why. We have now drawn a line under that misunderstanding.
I think that this thread has found that some GNetters feel intimidated in a variety of ways and each has different ways of dealing with it. But it has also proved that there is support from some brave and lovely people and that is what really matters at the end of the day

PS I like the idea of a 'back off' emoticon. Any suggestions what it could look like?

Quite.

Agreed.

Yes, I noticed that, too nightowl. Certain threads, by their very titles, show us that insensitivity should not be shown on there.

I agree about Bags.

I probably shouldn't say this but I'm going to anyway - a few weeks ago nanadogsbody came in for a real bashing on here, nothing at all to do with Bags, but at the time I was shocked and I'm not surprised that she is still questioning whether to stay. We sometimes share very personal information and attacks or even simple misunderstandings can cast a long shadow. That's all.

Perhaps we need a 'bang heads together' emoticon.
Only joking!
nanadogs absent and bags - love and peace.

Forgot to add !