The real question is if SE would actually decide to break a religious linkshell up. If stuff like the third post from the OP happens in-game, I guarantee you it will. That doesn't mean I abstain from the conversation about my religion or other religions, but there are far better ways to share your faith in the world today than outright declaring "Jesus is gonna kick your fannie." However, if an alliance of friends wants to get together and have a devotional or a prayer session in party chat like our linkshell members have done in the past, I don’t see the problem, and I doubt SE would act on it.
Also, I think religious people need to be exposed to the alternative viewpoint, hence why SummonedHeroes is not all-Christian or Christian-only. For example, I have two friends in the game that I became really defensive of because of their public display of affection in linkshell chat. That normally isn't a problem in most cases, but the two in question were homosexual partners. There was an attempt by one of the then members to marginalize the behavior, and I didn't feel like it was appropriate just because they were homosexual. Love is love. They aren't religiously correct for it, but hey, it's not my issue with the man upstairs. That's their life. I just enjoy having friends and learning about their viewpoints on life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, and all of the leaders in SummonedHeroes try to keep it that way. Furthermore, none of the other members felt the marginalization was appropriate, either. So, the dude got mad and dropped our pearl when I refused break those of my two friends. Hence, why I said we take care of our own.
ConsciousPoster, the key to doing what you want socially in a game like this with rules like these is knowing when and where you can operate without interference or impressing upon others. Be smart about it, and you will gain a great many friends, even ones that don’t share the same viewpoint as you. Let the conversations come to you. You never know when you’ll need a friend, and I’m privileged to say there are many in this game who are mine.
Edited, Oct 2nd 2007 11:09am by Holthaus
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Holthaus - FFXI
Diabolos Server
Level 37 WAR, 26 THF, 25 MNK, 20 RDM, 10 WHM, 8 BLM
Smithing 73, Woodworking 60, Bonecraft 53, Clothcraft 52, Goldsmithing 47, Alchemy 3, Leathercraft 1.2
Edsports1 from 1up.com Click here for my character profile Click here to view the SummonedHeroes linkshell web site