I report those people and try and get them banned.

And that's why these days I simply don't bother much with the public feeds, and or hit the block button when such individuals show up to cause trouble. Such trolling tactics create the possibility for even more member drama, and it's a small wonder why Admin has largely given up on this site. Your suspicion has merit me thinks.

I see this as a vexed issue. I understand the viewpoint of those who are against feeding the trolls. Some trolls, including the long time trolls on this site, I simply ignore. With newbie trolls I reflect their own venom back at them - it may be the only trigger they receive to enable them to help themselves.

Yep. They should be ignored.

I just block them and go on with my life. I’m not arguing with some random stranger. I do the same on all social media because it’s not worth wasting my beautiful mind as Babs Bush would say.

I do so like the way you think. It could well be a possibility and it probably wouldn't hurt to assume and react in kind.

Best to make no response, simply report, if that does any good anymore.

As the saying goes, "if you can't say something nice, say nothing at all." I used to try to win people over with nice measured common sense comments, but I no longer have the energy.

If a troll has some malicious reason to unfairly poke at members of our community with insensitive, rude, hateful personal attacks and comments, then a nice response of "Your posts and comments go against our community guidelines" is probably not going to have the positive calming affect I would like to imagine, but is better than taking the bait and stooping to the same level.

No attention, no oxygen, just snuff them out so it's not "fun" for them, but boring to try to get a rise out of us in such a way. It's likely in our nature, most of us anyway, to stand up against personal attacks, racism, misogyny, etc., but I think in this case we'd be wasting our energy in doing so.

We have standards in our community - we should stick to them. [agnostic.com]

I should add that I personally don't respond to these malicious posts not because I'm being complacent and want to let it slide, but that I don't want to poke the bear and get insulted and attacked myself.

Your premise is plausible though if these anti-atheist members are simply interested in disparaging us they can easily fabricate quotes and posts to spread to their little hate groups.

Though, it's not as if these trolls are clever or smart.

Whatever they're saying, whatever they're doing, 'Rise Above'. That's all I have to say about that.

It's certainly worth considering. We don't want to give ammunition to the opposition.

Just don't feed the trolls....it makes 'em crazy.

Guess I should have told that wanker to suck my left nut…..

Are you suggesting that the Religitards of the world would be so devious and underhanded as to misrepresent themselves and then misquote atheists and agnostics in order to further promote their religious dogma and vilify those who want nothing to do with such a cruel, hate filled and oppressive society?? It seems a bit far fetched, until you look at the history of religions on this planet.

The thing that gets me the most on this site is that you find a conservative post and cannot fully view it or reply to it. WTF?? They see all your crap and can reply but it does not work in reverse coz you are blocked or something. Wake up! The viewpoints of the world and world subjects and events are NOT controlled by American politics. Your political ego shows you for the assholes you really are.

Never considered that. I rarely respond to trolling as the response is the desired result, but this puts a clearer perspective on why one ought not respond. Thanks, man.

The "new members" that come to mind have in no way the intelligence, plannimg, or skills to do any such thing....IQ of 75, at best, and filled with free-floating anger.

Yes. That makes sense
It's best to ignore and block.

Goodness, I have missed ll of that drama. Who are you speaking of? Of course, since all my life I have been not paying attention to religious remarks, this may just be a continuation of my own way of dealing with stuff. Or my eyesight is failing so much that all the juicy bits are swimming by.

A very astute observation Fernapple. I believe you may be correct in your thinking.