Freethought and Rationalism Discussion Board - Revision history

The Admins: /* External links */

2024-12-28T16:22:21Z

External links

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:22, 28 December 2024
Line 35:		Line 35:
	==External links==		==External links==

	*[https://fr-archive.iidb.org/ IIDB Archive] - Part of a reformed IIDB. It appears after FRDB collapsed in 2014, somebody created the present iidb.org as "Talk Freethought".		*[https://fr-archive.iidb.org/ IIDB Archive (6,946,099 posts before 2014, currently reg'd users only)] - Part of a reformed IIDB. It appears after FRDB collapsed in 2014, somebody created the present iidb.org as "Talk Freethought".
	*'''freeratio.org''' - Original URL for the renamed IIDB.		*'''freeratio.org''' - Original URL for the renamed IIDB.
	*[https://web.archive.org/web/20080603235213/http://www.rantsnraves.org/wiki/index.php/IIDebacle_Chronology IIDB debacle] - Broader attention to the problems of IIDB.		*[https://web.archive.org/web/20080603235213/http://www.rantsnraves.org/wiki/index.php/IIDebacle_Chronology IIDB debacle] - Broader attention to the problems of IIDB.

The Admins at 21:00, 18 May 2023

2023-05-18T21:00:41Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:00, 18 May 2023
Line 1:		Line 1:
	__NOTOC__The '''Freethought and Rationalism Discussion Board''' was a privately owned website historically known for hosting controversial discussions on ~~alternative~~ sexuality during its time as '''IIDB ([[Wikipedia:Internet Infidels\|Internet Infidels]] Discussion Board)'''. Those discussions importantly did not exclude ~~the~~ adult~~-minor themes~~ later covered on sites ~~such as~~ [[Newgon]] and the defunct '''Anontalk.com'''. In the ~~late~~ 00s heyday of Secular Rationalism/New Atheism discussion boards, the website was taken over by a [[Feminism\|Feminist]] child protection ~~advocate~~ who imposed an administrative hierarchy hostile towards any discussion of sexuality, particularly its ~~"alternative"~~ forms. This was ~~despite the~~ renaming of the site to ''Freethought and Rationalism Discussion Board''.		__NOTOC__The '''Freethought and Rationalism Discussion Board''' was a privately owned website, historically known for hosting controversial discussions on sexuality during its time as '''IIDB ([[Wikipedia:Internet Infidels\|Internet Infidels]] Discussion Board)'''. Those discussions importantly did not exclude [[minor-adult sex]], as later covered on sites including LogicalReality.com, [[Newgon]] and the defunct '''Anontalk.com'''. Towards the end of the 00s heyday of Secular Rationalism/New Atheism discussion boards, the website was sadly taken over by a regressive [[Feminism\|Feminist]] child protection officer who imposed an administrative hierarchy hostile towards any discussion of sexuality, particularly its more unusual forms. This was in spite of renaming of the site ''Freethought and Rationalism Discussion Board''.

	==Beginnings==		==Beginnings==

	In 1990, the original alt.atheism usenet newsgroup was created, followed by alt.atheism.moderated. As with other newsgroups, discussion was fueled by the Eternal September.<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eternal_September Eternal September]</ref> Then in 1995, the Internet Infidels ('''Secular Web/infidels.org''') was founded to expand on the static resources available at alt.atheism, shortly followed in 1996 by its very own ~~BBS~~, known as the Internet Infidels Discussion Board (IIDB), right up until 2008, when it was discontinued as a Secular Web resource under "crisis" conditions.		In 1990, the original alt.atheism usenet newsgroup was created, followed by alt.atheism.moderated. As with other newsgroups, discussion was fueled by the Eternal September.<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eternal_September Eternal September]</ref> Then in 1995, the Internet Infidels ('''Secular Web/infidels.org''') was founded to expand on the static resources available at alt.atheism, shortly followed in 1996 by its very own forum, known as the Internet Infidels Discussion Board (IIDB), right up until 2008, when it was discontinued as a Secular Web resource under "crisis" conditions.

	==As IIDB==		==The ''IIDB'' era==

	As IIDB, the discussion board hosted a number of topics on ~~alternative~~ sexuality. ~~Within a year or so, this~~ inspired a spin-off debate: should the Secular Web be seen to ~~encourage~~ or tolerate discussion of topics that would be regarded beyond acceptable in wider society. It should be noted that the founding principles of secularism and their promotion were and still are the Secular Web's highest priorities. Discussion of what were regarded as fringe sexual topics continued unabated ~~for a number of months~~, as it was originally deemed to be in line with Secular Web's position on free thought and discussion.		As IIDB, the discussion board hosted a number of topics on sexuality, most explosively in a notorious subforum known as ''Moral Foundations and Principles''. The persistence of these discussions inspired a spin-off debate: should the Secular Web be seen to condone, or tolerate discussion of topics that would be regarded beyond acceptable by conservatives in "wider society". It should be noted that the founding principles of secularism and their promotion were and still are the Secular Web's highest priorities. Discussion of what were regarded as fringe sexual topics continued unabated, as it was originally deemed to be in line with Secular Web's position on free thought and discussion.

	==~~Crisis~~ and takeover==		==2007 crisis and takeover==

	Late in 2007, a combination of controversial, high-profile user bans and a general tightening of rules lead to a mass exodus from IIDB ~~and resulted in the enrichment of further~~ spin-off forums. The Secular Web secretly agreed to offload its large on-line community, waiting a year until their ~~fund-raiser~~ monies were spent. During this time the two future owners, including Jo Apanui, a New Zealanders child-protection officer contributed ~~further~~ to the transformation of what was in its heyday, a free-flowing discussion board into the top-down, sometimes farcical ~~politically-correct~~ bureaucracy it then became.		Late in 2007, a combination of controversial, high-profile user bans and a general tightening of rules lead to a mass exodus from IIDB, which benefited a number spin-off forums, such as ''Rants 'n' Raves''. The Secular Web secretly agreed to offload its large on-line community, waiting a year until their fundraiser monies were spent. During this time the two future owners, including Jo Apanui, a New Zealanders child-protection officer, contributed to the transformation of what was in its heyday, a free-flowing discussion board, into the top-down, sometimes farcical bureaucracy it then became.

	===Sexuality discussions===		===Sexuality discussions===

	'''Against the backdrop of this general ~~bureaucratisation~~:'''		'''Against the backdrop of this general bureaucratization:'''

	At first, discussion of adult-minor sexuality on the to-be-offloaded IIDB was hushed up after the passing of a guideline on "advocacy", whereby fringe opinions are silenced due to the presumed motivations of their proponents. A number of users were banned because of this, although the ban on discussion was far from comprehensive at the time. General discussion of sexuality was also relegated to a slime-dungeon forum per directive.		At first, discussion of adult-minor sexuality on the to-be-offloaded IIDB was hushed up after the passing of a guideline on "advocacy", whereby fringe opinions are silenced due to the presumed motivations of their proponents. A number of users were banned because of this, although the ban on discussion was far from comprehensive at the time. General discussion of sexuality was also relegated to a slime-dungeon forum per directive.

	During her pre-ownership interval, Apanui ~~and~~ Veronique ["Sabine"] Grant, a health aide from Florida, and self-important IIDB moderator approached a [[pedophile]] IIDB member, offering to "cure" him of his "illness". Eventually, after growing tired of attempting to discredit such opponents, the ever-opportunistic Apanui passed the following "addendum" into the ''Moral Foundations'' sub-forum rules:		During her pre-ownership interval, Apanui, along with Veronique ["Sabine"] Grant, a health aide from Florida, and self-important IIDB moderator, approached a [[pedophile]] IIDB member offering to "cure" him of his "illness". Eventually, after growing tired of attempting to discredit such opponents, the ever-opportunistic Apanui passed the following "addendum" into the ''Moral Foundations'' sub-forum rules:

	<blockquote>''Moral Foundations & Principles, like all forums of IIDB, is not a platform for users to promote what would otherwise likely be classified or deemed as inappropriate and/or counterproductive to II's mission. This includes, but is not limited to infantophilia, hebephilia and pedophilia. Any threads or posts which administrators or moderators decide do not fit II's mission may be removed.''</blockquote>		<blockquote>''Moral Foundations & Principles, like all forums of IIDB, is not a platform for users to promote what would otherwise likely be classified or deemed as inappropriate and/or counterproductive to II's mission. This includes, but is not limited to infantophilia, hebephilia and pedophilia. Any threads or posts which administrators or moderators decide do not fit II's mission may be removed.''</blockquote>

	Despite this, and the following completion of Apanui's takeover, established members of the community could still be seen quietly protesting the official line on these discussions whenever they are brought up. However, as a place for new members to discuss alternative sexuality topics, the new forum was of very little use.		Despite this, and the following completion of Apanui's takeover, established members of the community could still be seen quietly protesting the official line on these discussions whenever they are brought up. However, as a place for new members to discuss alternative sexuality topics, the new forum was of very little use, and in any event, its membership was fading.

	===Takeover===		===Takeover===

The Admins at 21:14, 19 April 2023

2023-04-19T21:14:11Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:14, 19 April 2023
Line 1:		Line 1:
	__NOTOC__The '''Freethought and Rationalism Discussion Board''' was a privately owned website historically known for hosting controversial discussions on alternative sexuality during its time as '''IIDB (Internet Infidels Discussion Board)'''. Those discussions importantly did not exclude the adult-minor themes later covered on sites such as [[Newgon]] and the defunct '''Anontalk.com'''. In the late 00s heyday of Secular Rationalism/New Atheism discussion boards, the website was taken over by a [[Feminism\|Feminist]] child protection advocate who imposed an administrative hierarchy hostile towards any discussion of sexuality, particularly its "alternative" forms. This was despite the renaming of the site to ''Freethought and Rationalism Discussion Board''.		__NOTOC__The '''Freethought and Rationalism Discussion Board''' was a privately owned website historically known for hosting controversial discussions on alternative sexuality during its time as '''IIDB ([[Wikipedia:Internet Infidels\|Internet Infidels]] Discussion Board)'''. Those discussions importantly did not exclude the adult-minor themes later covered on sites such as [[Newgon]] and the defunct '''Anontalk.com'''. In the late 00s heyday of Secular Rationalism/New Atheism discussion boards, the website was taken over by a [[Feminism\|Feminist]] child protection advocate who imposed an administrative hierarchy hostile towards any discussion of sexuality, particularly its "alternative" forms. This was despite the renaming of the site to ''Freethought and Rationalism Discussion Board''.

	==Beginnings==		==Beginnings==

The Admins: /* External links */

2023-04-19T21:10:54Z

External links

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:10, 19 April 2023
Line 37:		Line 37:
	*[https://fr-archive.iidb.org/ IIDB Archive] - Part of a reformed IIDB. It appears after FRDB collapsed in 2014, somebody created the present iidb.org as "Talk Freethought".		*[https://fr-archive.iidb.org/ IIDB Archive] - Part of a reformed IIDB. It appears after FRDB collapsed in 2014, somebody created the present iidb.org as "Talk Freethought".
	*'''freeratio.org''' - Original URL for the renamed IIDB.		*'''freeratio.org''' - Original URL for the renamed IIDB.
	*[http://rantsnraves.org/wiki/index.php/~~Category:IIDebacle~~ IIDB debacle] - Broader attention to the problems of IIDB.		*[https://web.archive.org/web/20080603235213/http://www.rantsnraves.org/wiki/index.php/IIDebacle_Chronology IIDB debacle] - Broader attention to the problems of IIDB.

	==References==		==References==

	[[Category:Official Encyclopedia]][[Category:Censorship]][[Category:Cyber Activism]][[Category:Religion]][[Category:Websites]][[Category:Websites: Generic]]		[[Category:Official Encyclopedia]][[Category:Censorship]][[Category:Cyber Activism]][[Category:Religion]][[Category:Websites]][[Category:Websites: Generic]]

The Admins: /* External links */

2023-04-19T20:41:09Z

External links

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:41, 19 April 2023
Line 38:		Line 38:
	*'''freeratio.org''' - Original URL for the renamed IIDB.		*'''freeratio.org''' - Original URL for the renamed IIDB.
	*[http://rantsnraves.org/wiki/index.php/Category:IIDebacle IIDB debacle] - Broader attention to the problems of IIDB.		*[http://rantsnraves.org/wiki/index.php/Category:IIDebacle IIDB debacle] - Broader attention to the problems of IIDB.

			==References==

	[[Category:Official Encyclopedia]][[Category:Censorship]][[Category:Cyber Activism]][[Category:Religion]][[Category:Websites]][[Category:Websites: Generic]]		[[Category:Official Encyclopedia]][[Category:Censorship]][[Category:Cyber Activism]][[Category:Religion]][[Category:Websites]][[Category:Websites: Generic]]

The Admins at 20:40, 19 April 2023

2023-04-19T20:40:40Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:40, 19 April 2023
Line 1:		Line 1:
	__NOTOC__The '''~~[http://www.freeratio.org/~~ Freethought and Rationalism Discussion Board]''' is a privately owned website historically known for hosting discussions on alternative sexuality, not ~~excluding~~ the adult-minor themes ~~now~~ covered on sites such as [[Newgon]] and [[Anontalk.com]]. ~~The~~ website was ~~recently~~ taken over by an administrative hierarchy ~~who, despite the newly-chosen name for the board, are~~ hostile towards any discussion of sexuality, particularly its "alternative" forms.		__NOTOC__The '''Freethought and Rationalism Discussion Board''' was a privately owned website historically known for hosting controversial discussions on alternative sexuality during its time as '''IIDB (Internet Infidels Discussion Board)'''. Those discussions importantly did not exclude the adult-minor themes later covered on sites such as [[Newgon]] and the defunct '''Anontalk.com'''. In the late 00s heyday of Secular Rationalism/New Atheism discussion boards, the website was taken over by a [[Feminism\|Feminist]] child protection advocate who imposed an administrative hierarchy hostile towards any discussion of sexuality, particularly its "alternative" forms. This was despite the renaming of the site to ''Freethought and Rationalism Discussion Board''.

	==Beginnings==		==Beginnings==

	In 1990, the original alt.atheism usenet newsgroup was created, followed by alt.atheism.moderated. As with other newsgroups, discussion was ~~fuelled~~ by the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eternal_September Eternal September]. Then in 1995, the Internet Infidels (~~[http:/~~/~~www.~~infidels.org~~/ Secular Web]~~) was founded to expand on the static resources available at alt.atheism, shortly followed in 1996 by its very own BBS, known as the Internet Infidels Discussion Board (IIDB), right up until 2008, when it was discontinued as a Secular Web resource under "crisis" conditions.		In 1990, the original alt.atheism usenet newsgroup was created, followed by alt.atheism.moderated. As with other newsgroups, discussion was fueled by the Eternal September.<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eternal_September Eternal September]</ref> Then in 1995, the Internet Infidels ('''Secular Web/infidels.org''') was founded to expand on the static resources available at alt.atheism, shortly followed in 1996 by its very own BBS, known as the Internet Infidels Discussion Board (IIDB), right up until 2008, when it was discontinued as a Secular Web resource under "crisis" conditions.

	==As IIDB==		==As IIDB==
Line 11:		Line 11:
	==Crisis and takeover==		==Crisis and takeover==

	Late in 2007, a combination of controversial, high-profile user bans and a general tightening of rules lead to a mass exodus from IIDB and resulted in the enrichment of further spin-off forums. The Secular Web secretly agreed to offload its large on-line community, waiting a year until their fund-raiser monies were spent. During this time the two future owners, including Jo Apanui, a New Zealanders child-protection officer contributed further to the transformation of what was in its heyday, a free-flowing discussion board into the top-down, sometimes farcical politically-correct bureaucracy it ~~is today~~.		Late in 2007, a combination of controversial, high-profile user bans and a general tightening of rules lead to a mass exodus from IIDB and resulted in the enrichment of further spin-off forums. The Secular Web secretly agreed to offload its large on-line community, waiting a year until their fund-raiser monies were spent. During this time the two future owners, including Jo Apanui, a New Zealanders child-protection officer contributed further to the transformation of what was in its heyday, a free-flowing discussion board into the top-down, sometimes farcical politically-correct bureaucracy it then became.

	===Sexuality discussions===		===Sexuality discussions===

	''Against the backdrop of this general bureaucratisation:''		'''Against the backdrop of this general bureaucratisation:'''

	At first, discussion of adult-minor sexuality on the to-be-offloaded IIDB was hushed up after the passing of a guideline on "advocacy", whereby fringe opinions are silenced due to the presumed motivations of their proponents. A number of users were banned because of this, although the ban on discussion was far from comprehensive at the time. General discussion of sexuality was also relegated to a slime-dungeon forum per directive.		At first, discussion of adult-minor sexuality on the to-be-offloaded IIDB was hushed up after the passing of a guideline on "advocacy", whereby fringe opinions are silenced due to the presumed motivations of their proponents. A number of users were banned because of this, although the ban on discussion was far from comprehensive at the time. General discussion of sexuality was also relegated to a slime-dungeon forum per directive.

	During her pre-ownership interval, Apanui and Veronique Grant, a health aide from Florida, and self-important IIDB moderator approached a [[pedophile]] IIDB member, offering to "cure" him of his "illness". Eventually, after growing tired of attempting to discredit such opponents, the ever-opportunistic Apanui passed the following "addendum" into the Moral Foundations sub-forum rules:		During her pre-ownership interval, Apanui and Veronique ["Sabine"] Grant, a health aide from Florida, and self-important IIDB moderator approached a [[pedophile]] IIDB member, offering to "cure" him of his "illness". Eventually, after growing tired of attempting to discredit such opponents, the ever-opportunistic Apanui passed the following "addendum" into the ''Moral Foundations'' sub-forum rules:

	:''Moral Foundations & Principles, like all forums of IIDB, is not a platform for users to promote what would otherwise likely be classified or deemed as inappropriate and/or counterproductive to II's mission. This includes, but is not limited to infantophilia, hebephilia and pedophilia. Any threads or posts which administrators or moderators decide do not fit II's mission may be removed.''		<blockquote>''Moral Foundations & Principles, like all forums of IIDB, is not a platform for users to promote what would otherwise likely be classified or deemed as inappropriate and/or counterproductive to II's mission. This includes, but is not limited to infantophilia, hebephilia and pedophilia. Any threads or posts which administrators or moderators decide do not fit II's mission may be removed.''</blockquote>

	Despite this, and the following completion of Apanui's takeover, established members of the community ~~can~~ still be seen quietly protesting the official line on these discussions whenever they are brought up. However, as a place for new members to discuss alternative sexuality topics, the ~~current~~ forum is of very little use.		Despite this, and the following completion of Apanui's takeover, established members of the community could still be seen quietly protesting the official line on these discussions whenever they are brought up. However, as a place for new members to discuss alternative sexuality topics, the new forum was of very little use.

	===Takeover===		===Takeover===

	Under the ownership of Apanui, IIDB became the ''Freethought and Rationalism Discussion Board'' at freeratio.org. Despite its independence from the Secular Web, FRDB ~~continues~~ to enforce strict rules against the discussion of explicitly sexuality-related topics.		Under the ownership of Apanui, IIDB became the ''Freethought and Rationalism Discussion Board'' at freeratio.org. Despite its independence from the Secular Web, FRDB continued to enforce strict rules against the discussion of explicitly sexuality-related topics, suggesting that Apanui was the driving force behind IIDB's censorious turn all along.

	==See also==		==See also==

	*[[Debate Guide]] - and its derivatives (this site) were directly inspired by discussions on IIDB.		*[[Debate Guide]] - and its derivatives (this site) were directly inspired by discussions on IIDB during its more liberal incarnation.

	==External links==		==External links==

	*[~~http~~://~~freeratio~~.org/ FRDB]		*[https://fr-archive.iidb.org/ IIDB Archive] - Part of a reformed IIDB. It appears after FRDB collapsed in 2014, somebody created the present iidb.org as "Talk Freethought".
			*'''freeratio.org''' - Original URL for the renamed IIDB.
	*[http://rantsnraves.org/wiki/index.php/Category:IIDebacle IIDB debacle] - Broader attention to the problems of IIDB.		*[http://rantsnraves.org/wiki/index.php/Category:IIDebacle IIDB debacle] - Broader attention to the problems of IIDB.

	[[Category:Official Encyclopedia]][[Category:Censorship]][[Category:Cyber Activism]][[Category:Religion]][[Category:Websites]][[Category:Websites: Generic]]		[[Category:Official Encyclopedia]][[Category:Censorship]][[Category:Cyber Activism]][[Category:Religion]][[Category:Websites]][[Category:Websites: Generic]]

JohnHolt at 21:00, 8 December 2021

2021-12-08T21:00:22Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:00, 8 December 2021
Line 1:		Line 1:
	__NOTOC__The '''[http://www.freeratio.org/ Freethought and Rationalism Discussion Board]''' is a privately owned website historically known for hosting discussions on alternative sexuality, not excluding the adult-minor themes now covered on sites such as [[Newgon~~.com~~]] and [[Anontalk.com]]. The website was recently taken over by an administrative hierarchy who, despite the newly-chosen name for the board, are hostile towards any discussion of sexuality, particularly its "alternative" forms.		__NOTOC__The '''[http://www.freeratio.org/ Freethought and Rationalism Discussion Board]''' is a privately owned website historically known for hosting discussions on alternative sexuality, not excluding the adult-minor themes now covered on sites such as [[Newgon]] and [[Anontalk.com]]. The website was recently taken over by an administrative hierarchy who, despite the newly-chosen name for the board, are hostile towards any discussion of sexuality, particularly its "alternative" forms.

	==Beginnings==		==Beginnings==

JohnHolt at 17:18, 22 October 2021

2021-10-22T17:18:17Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:18, 22 October 2021
Line 7:		Line 7:
	==As IIDB==		==As IIDB==

	As IIDB, the discussion board hosted a number of topics on alternative sexuality~~. We have listed some post-2005 examples at [[Links (Fora)]]~~. Within a year or so, this inspired a spin-off debate: should the Secular Web be seen to encourage or tolerate discussion of topics that would be regarded beyond acceptable in wider society. It should be noted that the founding principles of secularism and their promotion were and still are the Secular Web's highest priorities. Discussion of what were regarded as fringe sexual topics continued unabated for a number of months, as it was originally deemed to be in line with Secular Web's position on free thought and discussion.		As IIDB, the discussion board hosted a number of topics on alternative sexuality. Within a year or so, this inspired a spin-off debate: should the Secular Web be seen to encourage or tolerate discussion of topics that would be regarded beyond acceptable in wider society. It should be noted that the founding principles of secularism and their promotion were and still are the Secular Web's highest priorities. Discussion of what were regarded as fringe sexual topics continued unabated for a number of months, as it was originally deemed to be in line with Secular Web's position on free thought and discussion.

	==Crisis and takeover==		==Crisis and takeover==

The Admins at 19:40, 26 April 2009

2009-04-26T19:40:42Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:40, 26 April 2009
Line 1:		Line 1:
	__NOTOC__The '''[http://www.freeratio.org/ Freethought and Rationalism Discussion Board]''' is a privately owned website historically known for hosting discussions on alternative sexuality, not excluding the adult-minor themes now covered on sites such as [[Newgon.com]] and [[Anontalk.com]]. The website was recently taken over by an administrative hierarchy who are hostile towards any discussion of sexuality, particularly its "alternative" forms.		__NOTOC__The '''[http://www.freeratio.org/ Freethought and Rationalism Discussion Board]''' is a privately owned website historically known for hosting discussions on alternative sexuality, not excluding the adult-minor themes now covered on sites such as [[Newgon.com]] and [[Anontalk.com]]. The website was recently taken over by an administrative hierarchy who, despite the newly-chosen name for the board, are hostile towards any discussion of sexuality, particularly its "alternative" forms.

	==Beginnings==		==Beginnings==

The Admins at 19:39, 26 April 2009

2009-04-26T19:39:00Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:39, 26 April 2009
Line 1:		Line 1:
	__NOTOC__The '''[http://www.freeratio.org/ Freethought and Rationalism Discussion Board]''' is a privately owned website historically known for ~~openly~~ hosting discussions of alternative sexuality, ~~including~~ the adult-minor themes now covered on sites such as [[Newgon.com]] and [[Anontalk.com]]. ~~In recent times, the~~ website ~~has been~~ taken over by an administrative hierarchy who are hostile towards any discussion of sexuality, particularly its "alternative" forms.		__NOTOC__The '''[http://www.freeratio.org/ Freethought and Rationalism Discussion Board]''' is a privately owned website historically known for hosting discussions on alternative sexuality, not excluding the adult-minor themes now covered on sites such as [[Newgon.com]] and [[Anontalk.com]]. The website was recently taken over by an administrative hierarchy who are hostile towards any discussion of sexuality, particularly its "alternative" forms.

	==Beginnings==		==Beginnings==

	In 1990, the original alt.atheism usenet newsgroup was created, followed by alt.atheism.moderated. As with other newsgroups, discussion was fuelled by th [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eternal_September ~~Eternal_September~~]. Then, in 1995, the Internet Infidels ([http://www.infidels.org/ Secular Web]) was founded to expand on the static resources available ~~on the newsgroup~~ alt.atheism, shortly followed in 1996 by its very own BBS, known as the Internet Infidels Discussion Board (IIDB) right up to 2008, when it was discontinued as a Secular Web resource under "crisis" conditions.		In 1990, the original alt.atheism usenet newsgroup was created, followed by alt.atheism.moderated. As with other newsgroups, discussion was fuelled by the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eternal_September Eternal September]. Then in 1995, the Internet Infidels ([http://www.infidels.org/ Secular Web]) was founded to expand on the static resources available at alt.atheism, shortly followed in 1996 by its very own BBS, known as the Internet Infidels Discussion Board (IIDB), right up until 2008, when it was discontinued as a Secular Web resource under "crisis" conditions.

	==As IIDB==		==As IIDB==

	As IIDB, the discussion board hosted a number of topics on alternative sexuality. We have listed some examples at [[Links (Fora)]]. Within a year or so, this inspired a spin-off debate: should the Secular Web be seen to encourage or tolerate discussion of topics that would be regarded beyond acceptable in wider society. It should be noted that the founding principles of secularism and their promotion were ~~high~~ priorities. Discussion of what were regarded as fringe sexual topics continued unabated for a number of months.		As IIDB, the discussion board hosted a number of topics on alternative sexuality. We have listed some post-2005 examples at [[Links (Fora)]]. Within a year or so, this inspired a spin-off debate: should the Secular Web be seen to encourage or tolerate discussion of topics that would be regarded beyond acceptable in wider society. It should be noted that the founding principles of secularism and their promotion were and still are the Secular Web's highest priorities. Discussion of what were regarded as fringe sexual topics continued unabated for a number of months, as it was originally deemed to be in line with Secular Web's position on free thought and discussion.

	==Crisis and takeover==		==Crisis and takeover==

	A combination of controversial, high-profile user bans and a general tightening of rules lead to a mass exodus and the enrichment of further spin-off forums. The Secular Web secretly ~~agree~~ to offload ~~the~~ large on-line community, waiting a year until their fund-raiser monies ~~are~~ spent. During this time the two future owners, including Jo Apanui, a New Zealanders child-protection officer ~~contribute~~ further to the transformation of what was a free-flowing discussion board into a top-down bureaucracy.		Late in 2007, a combination of controversial, high-profile user bans and a general tightening of rules lead to a mass exodus from IIDB and resulted in the enrichment of further spin-off forums. The Secular Web secretly agreed to offload its large on-line community, waiting a year until their fund-raiser monies were spent. During this time the two future owners, including Jo Apanui, a New Zealanders child-protection officer contributed further to the transformation of what was in its heyday, a free-flowing discussion board into the top-down, sometimes farcical politically-correct bureaucracy it is today.

	===Sexuality discussions===		===Sexuality discussions===
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	''Against the backdrop of this general bureaucratisation:''		''Against the backdrop of this general bureaucratisation:''

	At first, discussion of adult-minor sexuality is hushed up after the passing of a guideline on "advocacy", whereby fringe opinions are silenced due to the presumed motivations of their proponents. A number of users were banned because of this, although the ban on discussion is far from comprehensive. General discussion of sexuality was also relegated to ~~an inferior~~ forum per directive.		At first, discussion of adult-minor sexuality on the to-be-offloaded IIDB was hushed up after the passing of a guideline on "advocacy", whereby fringe opinions are silenced due to the presumed motivations of their proponents. A number of users were banned because of this, although the ban on discussion was far from comprehensive at the time. General discussion of sexuality was also relegated to a slime-dungeon forum per directive.

	During ~~this~~ interval, Apanui and Veronique Grant, a self-important IIDB moderator, approached a [[pedophile]] member, offering to "cure" him of his "illness". Eventually, after growing tired of attempting to discredit ~~her~~ opponents Apanui passed an "addendum" into the Moral Foundations sub-forum rules:		During her pre-ownership interval, Apanui and Veronique Grant, a health aide from Florida, and self-important IIDB moderator approached a [[pedophile]] IIDB member, offering to "cure" him of his "illness". Eventually, after growing tired of attempting to discredit such opponents, the ever-opportunistic Apanui passed the following "addendum" into the Moral Foundations sub-forum rules:

	:''Moral Foundations & Principles, like all forums of IIDB, is not a platform for users to promote what would otherwise likely be classified or deemed as inappropriate and/or counterproductive to II's mission. This includes, but is not limited to infantophilia, hebephilia and pedophilia. Any threads or posts which administrators or moderators decide do not fit II's mission may be removed.''		:''Moral Foundations & Principles, like all forums of IIDB, is not a platform for users to promote what would otherwise likely be classified or deemed as inappropriate and/or counterproductive to II's mission. This includes, but is not limited to infantophilia, hebephilia and pedophilia. Any threads or posts which administrators or moderators decide do not fit II's mission may be removed.''

	Despite this, and the following completion of Apanui's ~~takever~~, established members of the community can still be seen quietly protesting the official line on these discussions whenever they are brought up. However, as a place for new members to discuss alternative sexuality topics, the current forum is of very little use.		Despite this, and the following completion of Apanui's takeover, established members of the community can still be seen quietly protesting the official line on these discussions whenever they are brought up. However, as a place for new members to discuss alternative sexuality topics, the current forum is of very little use.

	===Takeover===		===Takeover===