As a Pentecostal evangelist, I imagine that I am supposed to belong in the "offended" crowd, but I actually like your suggestion Erik. I signed up to play chess and not "fight" about religion which is what has happened to me at other chess sites. I mention my faith in my profile, because I mention it everywhere, all of the time, but I have no interest in arguing the authenticity of the Bible, origin of man, etc.
By the way, I love the site.
That's maybe a good idea, Erik. I think that although something is typed with the best of intentions, once it has been reduced to ones and zeroes, fired down a phone line and reconverted into text, it is possible for it to be misunderstood. This forum cannot convey peoples' feelings in the same way as face-to-face conversation, for example, because the latter has the added benefits of tone of voice, facial and hand gestures and so forth.
Religion, politics, and which country produces the best beer are probably not subjects to discuss here.
Before you rule on this, I'd just like to say England produces the best beer.
"Those topics are RELIGION and POLITICS. ... Let's leave that to MySpace and other forums. "
Perhaps I have a bias towards 'myspace' people as mostly shallow and plasticky, but one must admit that that still sounds a little funny. :p
A famous quote: "Tolerance is fine, but only towards the tolerant" or somesuch. If people would show enough maturity in discussion of these topics (that is to not offend so readily and not to be offended so easily) than I think that there is no reason that they should be discouraged. Unfortunately, these topics are very inflamatory to humans, particular diverse groups thereof and immaturity about such things is common even among the normally mature people.
IMHO it all comes down to the philosophy of 'live and let live' and who can handle it.
Before you rule on this, I'd just like to say England produces the best beer.
Well, except for the beer I make!
Seriously, though - I actually replied to a comment where someone said they would determine who they would associate with based on that person's opinion of George Bush. It's a sad commentary, but it underscores that politics and religion can bring out a lot of visciousness and hatred - and I would hate to see chess.com marred by that.
This IS a privately owned forum, and as such, Erik has a perfect right to regulate what is said on these forums. I think that keeping those discussions away from here would not be a bad idea. You certainly will get no objection from me.
Before you rule on this, I'd just like to say England produces the best beer.
Well, except for the beer I make!
tony23, send me a sample of your beer, I am always happy to reconsider my opinions! 
"I personally would much rather NOT see discussions of things that tend to create bad feelings on this site. Those topics are RELIGION and POLITICS."
Whew!
I thought for a moment you wre going to say sex.
Beer is for post chess??? No wonder I keep losing...
But on the topic of off topic, yeah Erik, I agree on keeping out divisiveness. Some might argue that when two people sit down to a game of chess it is the opposition withing the friendly confines of competition as well as a nicely argued debate between friends that people are seeking out when they push the wood around the board but...those games are usually between friends who can agree to disagree. Here in the anonymous realm of the web people can get too heated and divisive. I love the feel of community this site still has and would love to see it remain that way. Thanks for the great site Erik.
Beer is for post chess??? No wonder I keep losing...
I think keeping the beer post-chess is advisable, unless it's that weak French stuff... But a few pints of good English Real Ale (Beowulf Dragonsmoke, Lump Hammer or Titanic, perhaps) could well improve the performance of some arbiters...
But seriously, it is probably a good idea to keep religion and politics off here if we want to keep things friendly.
Even more seriously, let's have a forum for Beer (d'oh!).
"I personally would much rather NOT see discussions of things that tend to create bad feelings on this site. Those topics are RELIGION and POLITICS."
Whew!
I thought for a moment you wre going to say sex.
LOL very funny bat girl! :)
and I agree with Eric on this topic, He's the Boss! :)
Well, here we are :) The introduction of the "off-topic" forum has had some interesting results. I have appreciated hearing about weird questions to ask at parties, my favorite canned fruit, movies, books, etc. It has been fun, and appropriate. The point of this forum was for fun and interesting conversation - things that would bring us together, not pull us apart. We are a community built on CHESS and friendship.
I personally would much rather NOT see discussions of things that tend to create bad feelings on this site. Those topics are RELIGION and POLITICS. There are plenty of places on the web to discuss those subjects, but I don't feel Chess.com is that place. Again, this is a place to come together around chess, not debate and argue things that have no finite answers. I'm happy to see a vigorous debate around the merits of the Grob, or if Harry Potter is worth reading, but the origins of Christianity? Let's leave that to MySpace and other forums.
I don't want to make anybody feel offended by this, so I'm opening it up to comments. I will end up making a decision as to the policies of this site based on the feedback I get here, but again, my goal is to bring us together under the love of chess, not push us apart based on our political or religious beliefs.
I'm listening... :)