>>>This is an announcement to confirm that religious content are now forbidden on the Universal Thread. Terms & Conditions of use will be adjused to reflect that later on today. Chatter\Religion category will also be frozen.
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>>I'm sorry that it got to this point. Respectful discussions of religion have traditionally been a way that we learn about each other, but I have to agree that it's gotten out of hand. I really hate that one person has forced two different community forums to take this action.
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>Just like any other thing which was OK while it was used in a moderate and civilized manner, then got out of control. Pretty much like how email was good before spam was invented.
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>Propaganda ruins any channel of communication it touches. I remember we had a few bible thumpers in the past, but one could talk with them for a long time before the discussion went circular. With pressure measured in Ricks, I agree with Michel's decision.

I read it more as a business decision. I can easily imagine Michel getting private messages saying "I'm offended by X's posts and therefore I won't be renewing my subscription". Whether anyone else thinks those messages or opinions are "right" or "just" is of no consequence. Notwithstanding anyone who's been banned, everyone has the right to financially support this forum (or not), and participate by posting messages (or not).

Michel runs UT as a business, not some bastion of free speech. As BDFL he's had a fairly light hand on the tiller, AFAICR intervening only when things have gotten seriously out of hand and/or damaging to his bottom line.

If anyone disagrees with Michel's decision to ban religion content on this forum, they're free to contact him and tell him they will not be renewing their subscriptions. If those outnumber the other ones who knows, maybe it will be reinstated.