Are Religious People More Prone to Internet Trolling than Non-Religious People?

[InfiniteNow]

Originally Posted by freeztar

For the sake of collaborative argument, can we please define what a "troll" is? Sure, it's subjective, as Bo points out, but surely we can come to a group consensus on troll-like behavior in general?

Let's work from this:


Troll (Internet) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)

An Internet troll, or simply troll in Internet slang, is someone who posts controversial, inflammatory, irrelevant or off-topic messages in an online community, such as an online discussion forum or chat room, with the primary intent of provoking other users into an emotional response or to generally disrupt normal on-topic discussion.

<...>

Application of the term troll is highly subjective. Some readers may characterize a post as trolling, while others may regard the same post as a legitimate contribution to the discussion, even if controversial. The term is often used as an ad hominem strategy to discredit an opposing position by attacking its proponent.

Often, calling someone a troll makes assumptions about a writer's motives. Regardless of the circumstances, controversial posts may attract a particularly strong response from those unfamiliar with the robust dialogue found in some online, rather than physical, communities. Experienced participants in online forums know that the most effective way to discourage a troll is usually to ignore him or her, because responding tends to encourage trolls to continue disruptive posts — hence the often-seen warning: "Please do not feed the trolls".

Frequently, someone who has been labeled a troll by a group may seek to redeem their reputation by discrediting their opponents, for example by claiming that other members of the group are closed-minded, conspirators, or trolls themselves.

Motivating my question is the numerous posts I see trying to discredit evolution, global climate change, relativity, and anything else that puts chinks in their religious faith-based armor.

[belovelife]

Originally Posted by InfiniteNow

Experienced participants in online forums know that the most effective way to discourage a troll is usually to ignore him or her, because responding tends to encourage trolls to continue disruptive posts — hence the often-seen warning: "Please do not feed the trolls".

is this why noone responded to post one in this thread

Am I considered a troll. Based on that wiki article, it defines that in some users perspectives, I am. Being spiritual not religious, I am not sure if I contribute the the percentage of "religious" trolls. Although I may contribute. (depends on the semantics)

But as an individual in my specific perception, I would put forth a proposition for everyone in this thread to consider themselves a troll for a moment. Then build a list of their trollish activities. Then as we compile a communal list of trollish activities, the concept could be defined further.

I'll start.

I make claims that are unsupported. (eccept theoretically)
I cause frustration through mispelling. (though not intentional)
I cause frustration through unique formatting (although i feel it is more efficient)
I reply to alot of threads (i have alot to say)
I disagree with postulated concepts (they arn't law yet)
I believe in the etherial (are you experienced)
I sometimes make puns at the wrong time (timing is everything !! [sorry freeztar])

And my breath smells of coffee.

NEXT

[C1ay]

In my own experience I find in one science forum after another a steady stream of believers bringing their argument to science forums yet I, as free from religion as any, never feel any compulsion at all to seek out religious forums to argue with them. I wonder if the many religious forms on the internet are as plagued by atheists as the science forums are with bible thumpers

[modest]

I think a key ingredient to trollishness is that they try to disrupt the status quo dialog. On a religious forum some people might be discussing the best way to position your body while praying. A troll would say "It doesn't matter if you sit, stand, or prostrate yourself because nobody's listening".

Similarly, some people on an earth science forum might be discussing the rate of global warming. A troll would say "It doesn't matter because Jesus is coming back before it gets too warm."

Neither statement:

• "It doesn't matter if you sit, stand, or prostrate yourself because nobody's listening"
• "It doesn't matter because Jesus is coming back before it gets too warm."

is supportable scientifically or otherwise. I don't think trollishness necessarily has to do with supporting statements or making unsupportable statements.

Originally Posted by belovelife

But as an individual in my specific perception, I would put forth a proposition for everyone in this thread to consider themselves a troll for a moment. Then build a list of their trollish activities. Then as we compile a communal list of trollish activities, the concept could be defined further.

I'll start.

I make claims that are unsupported. (eccept theoretically)
I cause frustration through mispelling. (though not intentional)
I cause frustration through unique formatting (although i feel it is more efficient)
I reply to alot of threads (i have alot to say)
I disagree with postulated concepts (they arn't law yet)
I believe in the etherial (are you experienced)
I sometimes make puns at the wrong time (timing is everything !! [sorry freeztar])

And my breath smells of coffee.

NEXT

• I sometimes speak with condescension (always without meaning to be condescending)
• I sometimes make a joke of someone's serious comment or discussion.
• I sometimes don't concede a point in a debate after I realize the point rightfully went to my opponent.
• I sometimes avoid responding to the main subject of a post, but rather respond to a small part which by itself makes an easy target.

~modest

[HydrogenBond]

The original term trolling meant to renew topics that have already been discussed to bring new members into the discussion. It was coined to mean something similar to trolling when you fish, sending out a trusty hook to catch new people. Someone with a religious bent, who is new to the site, will be trolled in with any topic connected to evolution or religion. One of the chum tricks, by atheist, to make a general comment out of ignorance, such as believing in ghosts, is what religion is all about.

In terms of the newer definition of trolling, we are discussing, atheist bias about religion is trolling to anyone who took the time to learn more about the subject. It is linear, predictable and doesn't attempt to come to any truth. This type of trolling does not require support evidence to prove linear claims.

[Gardamorg]

I used to 'troll' very often, but I have always been a believer in Science, I never believed in any sort of 'super-being' or any 'super-natural' force of any kind.

When I was very young I believed more in the Christian Religion, but my belief in science and how the world works has always been superior.

But I am a troll by all means, even if I'm less of one now. I feed off of emotion. So if I had to guess, I would say religion and trolling are not related.

[Abort, Retry, Fail]

When you ask if the religious are more prone to trolling, do you mean more prone to troll, or more easily trolled?

In my experience, religious people very rarely troll; believing in what you say, however ridiculous it may be, pretty much excludes the possibility of trolling. That said, their posts often has as disruptive an influence as trolling posts, which ironically makes posing as a religious "true believer" a very useful tactic for a non-religious troll.

[GAHD]

Originally Posted by Boerseun

Not like GAHD said because they have a love for always being right.

here I will nitpick you.

Originally Posted by me

I attribute this to them taking their love for "being right, damn it!" beyond ONE book.

By inserting "always" and omitting "beyond one book" you drastically change the meaning of what I said.

To clarify: Atheists "troll" about things OTHER than religion. And I'd hardly call their passions uniform. Where'd the agnostics get lumped anyways?

[Boerseun]

Originally Posted by GAHD

To clarify: Atheists "troll" about things OTHER than religion.

If an atheist were to "troll" about something apart from religion, why would his atheism have any bearing on it? If somebody "trolls" a site that is about structural engineering, why would you assume the troller to be an atheist, and not, say, a Muslim?

I dare say that chances of a troll at a site dedicated to something like structural engineering is at least fifty-fifty, if not completely in favour of the troll being religious.

Because, you see, it's not about them "being right". They're just so damned used to defending the indefensible.