Why is the word...

[dbgtz]

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R37arded

Blocked, it's not a swear word and I guess could be considered offensive to those who are.

Also I obviously had to avoid the filter to show it.

[Nixt]

Two main reasons. Firstly, the word retarded might be considered offensive to be people who suffer from any form of disability. Thus, allowing it's use publicly on the forum may offend certain members - I know there are certain members who suffer from varying disabilities who use this forum, for example. Secondly, the word retarded could well be used as an insult and would be used regularly if it was not filtered. I don't see why anyone would really need to use this word in decent conversation, and that is why it is filtered.

[kk.]

you answered your own question lol. It can cause offense.

You could say you are ******* retarded. or youre a retard

[dbgtz]

I meant people who are ******ed could find it offensive as they could see it as they're unaccepted but fair enough.

[kk.]

I meant people who are ******ed could find it offensive as they could see it as they're unaccepted but fair enough.

oh right lmao, i see what you meant now lol

[dogboy123]

The majority of the time it's going to be used as an abusive word. The rare time someone is going to say I'm a ****** doesn't make up for the many times it'll be used in an offensive way imo

[AgnesIO]

I don't see why every word that can cause offense seems to be needed to be blocked?

I am sure some Liverpool fans would argue 'Manchester United' is a bad :S Do we go and block that? Or 'Bin Laden' could insult good muslims.

Blocking every word that would cause 'offense' just creates madness.

[Catzsy]

This has always been in the filter and quite rightly so in my opinion. It could only EVER be used in a negative sense.

[GommeInc]

It's a shame everyone seems to be jumping on the "It's a negative word and can only be used as an abusive word" bandwagon. Although I agree that there is no point in unfiltering it, retard isn't confined to the 'offensive' defintion revolving mental retardation - it can be used to describe objects or people that are not operating properly, for example, looking at a friend tripping or running around ungracefully causing a stir. The main difference is that physical retardation has to be witnessed physically, which won't really happen on this forum, seeing as it's just words

[brodeo]

Do deaf people get offended when they see someone has put in reference to another: God you must be deaf!
Do blind people get offended when they hear someone say to another: Are you blind or something, its right there?
Do insane people get offended when they hear someone say to another: Thats ridiculous, you must be insane!
And so on and so on...

The word retard is such a generalization I don't think it should be filtered, one must be somewhat retarded to think it should be. You can be mentally retarded, physically retarded.. have a retardation of the [insert something here]. Its such an umbrella term. The fact is the forum isn't here to make people feel better about themselves and on the flipside people shouldn't feel personally targeted while reading posts. But members do not need to be wrapped up in cotton wool. Are we going to filter the word gay because people say 'thats gay' or 'don't be so gay'? I'm gay and it doesn't offend me, it has dual meaning now.