Religion

guillaumeb

(42,641 posts) Sat Oct 20, 2018, 07:45 PM Oct 2018

A simple guide to "whataboutism". [View all]

Simply put, whataboutism refers to the bringing up of one issue in order to distract from the discussion of another. It does not apply to the comparison and analysis of two similar issues in terms such as why some are given more social prominence than others.

https://rationalwiki.org/wiki/Whataboutism

So, if a post appears discussing a positive action taken by people of faith, any response that brings up a completely different, negative action taken by other people of faith is whataboutism because it ignores the initial post in an attempt to derail and divert discussion of the actual subject.

One reason to engage in such whataboutism is to ignore the good action to promote a narrative.

I post this in the helpful spirit of another recent post here about another logical fallacy.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/1218295641

Edited to add:

And in a bit of probably unintended irony, nearly all of the responses here demonstrate whataboutism and the 11th Commandment.

118 replies

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Highlight:

A simple guide to "whataboutism". [View all] guillaumeb Oct 2018 OP

Meanwhile here's the part you ignored, which evidently didn't support your half-fast interpretation Major Nikon Oct 2018 #1

Your addition in no way conflicts with what I wrote. guillaumeb Oct 2018 #2

Horseshit Major Nikon Oct 2018 #3

And you fall back on your usual responses. guillaumeb Oct 2018 #4

If by 'usual' you mean contradicting horseshit, then I agree Major Nikon Oct 2018 #6

You are consistent. guillaumeb Oct 2018 #7

This is actually quite funny Major Nikon Oct 2018 #11

Perhaps you should reread the definition. guillaumeb Oct 2018 #16

Perhaps you should consider something other than a cliche for a reply Major Nikon Oct 2018 #24

Againm you demonstrate a lack of understanding. guillaumeb Oct 2018 #34

You can't even manage to understand it's your definition, not mine Major Nikon Oct 2018 #35

Further confirmation that you have no interest in dialogue. guillaumeb Oct 2018 #39

Further confirmation you'd rather divert than respond to criticism Major Nikon Oct 2018 #46

Well you do post a lot of turtles. Just sayin. marylandblue Oct 2018 #27

When someone authors a faceplant reply, it's good to have a visual Major Nikon Oct 2018 #29

I'm confused, I thought turtle drops were a different kind of failure from penguin falls marylandblue Oct 2018 #50

I'm fond of turtles myself. So I wish they would've made up another sprinkleeninow Oct 2018 #63

Your intent is to divert, which is easily established because you say it is used here. marylandblue Oct 2018 #9

Yep a pesky little problem he has attributing intent to others... Major Nikon Oct 2018 #12

I understand that many do not like having their tactics discussed. guillaumeb Oct 2018 #14

Sure, some author ad nauseum threads incessantly whining when their tactics are revealed Major Nikon Oct 2018 #25

Agreed. You are not saying. guillaumeb Oct 2018 #36

If I did, would I be wrong? Major Nikon Oct 2018 #41

You are never wrong when you say nothing. guillaumeb Oct 2018 #42

You should learn to read between the lines Major Nikon Oct 2018 #44

You might try reading what is in the lines. guillaumeb Oct 2018 #45

I hope this isn't your best effort Major Nikon Oct 2018 #47

I like the raccoon. marylandblue Oct 2018 #102

😉 sprinkleeninow Oct 2018 #68

I think you don't like your tactics discussed either. marylandblue Oct 2018 #28

This entire thread(and not the only one) is butthurt after his tactics were called out Major Nikon Oct 2018 #30

A nice try at diversion. guillaumeb Oct 2018 #13

No diversion, because if you think it is a diversion, I will tell you how to thwart it marylandblue Oct 2018 #18

A failed try at diversion. guillaumeb Oct 2018 #20

Yes I could have, but I felt it was important to illustrate a point marylandblue Oct 2018 #21

The actual point is to examine whataboutism. guillaumeb Oct 2018 #22

There you see, that's exactly what we are talking about marylandblue Oct 2018 #23

I am not including "intent". guillaumeb Oct 2018 #32

You engage in whataboutism yourself and the only defense I've seen you make marylandblue Oct 2018 #56

And now you proceed from whataboutism guillaumeb Oct 2018 #76

Irony is all that's left marylandblue Oct 2018 #93

For a few, this forum is reserved for attacking religion. guillaumeb Oct 2018 #116

That does not excuse your own behavior marylandblue Oct 2018 #118

Below: sprinkleeninow Oct 2018 #60

Arguing intent is pointless in an internet discussion marylandblue Oct 2018 #88

A voice of reason, you, but I will continue to have a fondness for Mssr. Guillaume. sprinkleeninow Oct 2018 #90

Just wanted to add: sprinkleeninow Oct 2018 #91

I disagree with questioning a theist's intent as well marylandblue Oct 2018 #92

An extended lesson in whaddabout with a sprinkling of Franglais. sprinkleeninow Oct 2018 #103

Sure, kinda like when child rape apologists offer whataboutism in response to RCC criticism Major Nikon Oct 2018 #26

Making another unsubstantiated accusation? guillaumeb Oct 2018 #33

Ain' it all de-vine? 😤 sprinkleeninow Oct 2018 #51

I wish we could stop arguing about fallacies marylandblue Oct 2018 #58

I yam normally dysfunctional. sprinkleeninow Oct 2018 #62

Headline: "Pope raises man from dead." Response: "What about..." Beartracks Oct 2018 #5

Agreed. guillaumeb Oct 2018 #8

Interestingly enough your own source calls bullshit Major Nikon Oct 2018 #31

Again, you are demonstrating one thing. guillaumeb Oct 2018 #37

You mean my definition, or yours? Major Nikon Oct 2018 #38

Sad. guillaumeb Oct 2018 #40

Why would I want to remedy for your faceplants when so much entertainment value is involved? Major Nikon Oct 2018 #48

U bin steelin' mah 'just sayin'. sprinkleeninow Oct 2018 #52

Hay now. Quite difficult for me to utter, but those aminal sprinkleeninow Oct 2018 #57

Very light indeed. guillaumeb Oct 2018 #75

There's still a minuscule of hope if a hairline crack will let in some o' dat light. sprinkleeninow Oct 2018 #87

If the Pope raised someone from the dead, most atheists and agnostics would demand evidence marylandblue Oct 2018 #10

Which ignores what was said. guillaumeb Oct 2018 #15

No it's a straight forward response to an empirical question marylandblue Oct 2018 #17

The response illustrated the whataboutism that accompaniers evry post. guillaumeb Oct 2018 #19

It better demonstrates those who invent subliterate definitions and apply them arbitrarily Major Nikon Oct 2018 #71

You demonstrate a lack of understanding of the definition. guillaumeb Oct 2018 #77

You can't even manage to understand who quoted the definition to begin with Major Nikon Oct 2018 #79

Amazing that you cannot follow your own posts. guillaumeb Oct 2018 #81

You stole my line! Major Nikon Oct 2018 #82

Good luck. guillaumeb Oct 2018 #83

Let's recap Major Nikon Oct 2018 #84

You do have a gif(t). guillaumeb Oct 2018 #115

Since you've chosen condescension rather than substance, I'll simply remind you of your failure Major Nikon Oct 2018 #117

The pope? 🤔 sprinkleeninow Oct 2018 #55

Can the Ecumenical Patriarch do it too? marylandblue Oct 2018 #59

No. No co-officiating at a raising of the reposed. sprinkleeninow Oct 2018 #61

I like when people get along marylandblue Oct 2018 #64

You know you know church ecclesiology. sprinkleeninow Oct 2018 #65

Not cross with you marylandblue Oct 2018 #66

It's been 'hear/tell' that Orthodox have been labeled as the schismatics, and sprinkleeninow Oct 2018 #67

Is it unintended irony that this thread violates the 18th Commandment? Major Nikon Oct 2018 #43

Ground Control to Major... sprinkleeninow Oct 2018 #54

No, but you can certainly create your own for that Major Nikon Oct 2018 #70

😁 sprinkleeninow Oct 2018 #85

You really don't understand whataboutism edhopper Oct 2018 #49

So now all Orthodox jurisdictions of varied ethnicity stink? sprinkleeninow Oct 2018 #53

Not sure what you mean? edhopper Oct 2018 #72

When the Orthodox Faith is disparaged, it sounds sprinkleeninow Oct 2018 #89

You should hold your clergy to account. marylandblue Oct 2018 #94

If me and mine were communicating in a jurisdiction that some on here mb referring to, sprinkleeninow Oct 2018 #100

Your talking to an atheist edhopper Oct 2018 #95

I realize you are, I know you don't, that's your conclusion. sprinkleeninow Oct 2018 #96

BTW edhopper Oct 2018 #98

Whew! I am relieved! No really. This religion thingy is a sticky wicket. sprinkleeninow Oct 2018 #101

Also, P.S., stay as you are. sprinkleeninow Oct 2018 #97

Thanks edhopper Oct 2018 #99

This has been explained repeatedly. Voltaire2 Oct 2018 #69

Which is just another instance of inventing nonsense to counter those who disagree Major Nikon Oct 2018 #74

Not 'imaginary'. Last time I sunned myself, I turned a lovely nut brown. sprinkleeninow Oct 2018 #86

And here's me the prez by proxy. 📣👏 👍🤙✔⭐🆗 🇻 🇬❗ sprinkleeninow Oct 2018 #104

But, Tu Quoque.... MineralMan Oct 2018 #73

Exactly. guillaumeb Oct 2018 #78

Agreed Major Nikon Oct 2018 #80

Again, you are demonstrating one thing. Voltaire2 Oct 2018 #105

I'm sure you have convinced yourself Major Nikon Oct 2018 #106

Simplistic, and untrue. Voltaire2 Oct 2018 #107

If this continues, I'm resigning from the choir. MineralMan Oct 2018 #108

No refunds on the annual dues Major Nikon Oct 2018 #109

Further confirmation that you have no interest in dialogue. Voltaire2 Oct 2018 #110

More diversion Major Nikon Oct 2018 #113

Well, that might change my mind. MineralMan Oct 2018 #111

Yeah, but what about patriotism? Act_of_Reparation Oct 2018 #112

Here's the better, Merriam Webster's Definition Bretton Garcia Oct 2018 #114